AMMAN: Despite being outlawed in Iraq, the image of Saddam Hussein is still widely revered in neighbouring Jordan, where his likeness can be found on everything from bumper stickers to mobile phone cases.
Many Jordanians fondly remember Saddam for his support for the Palestinian cause, Arab nationalism, and resistance to Western intervention in the Middle East.
While Saddam’s brutal legacy has done little to sway many Jordanians, the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq has only reinforced their views. Iraq has been plagued by corruption, with Transparency International ranking it as one of the 25 most corrupt states in the world.
Iraq’s former prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhemi, has said that since 2003, over $600 billion has been wasted on corrupt officials and parties in power.
Despite this, Saddam’s image still holds a place in the hearts of many Jordanians.
“The main reason Jordanians love Saddam Hussein is that they saw him as a hero and a savior who had a mission to boost the Arab nation at all levels,” said MP Khalil Attiyeh.
Saddam’s support for the Palestinian uprising and his establishment of a military manufacturing base is also seen as positive contributions to the Arab world.
Iraq after fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime
However, the fall of Saddam’s regime did not lead to a return to prosperity for Iraq. Instead, it was “systematically destroyed,” according to Zuhair Amleh, a bookseller in Amman.
Many Jordanians believe that the current rulers of Iraq are sectarian agents of Iran and that Iraq can never return to what it was before Saddam.
While the image of Saddam Hussein is outlawed in Iraq, it remains a symbol of resistance and Arab nationalism for many Jordanians.
However, the legacy of his brutal regime and the destruction wrought by the 2003 invasion cannot be forgotten.
