AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania inaugurated the 25th branch of the Zaha Cultural Center in Aqaba Governorate on Monday, where she toured its facilities and learned more about its range of family-oriented programmes.

 

A Royal initiative, Zaha Cultural Centres aim to empower children, youth, and women to develop their creative, cognitive, and social skills. Across its 25 branches, it provides recreational spaces and safe learning environments, as well as training programmes designed to serve all segments of society, according to a statement from Office of Her Majesty.

 

Upon Queen Rania’s arrival, Zaha Cultural Centre’s Executive Director, Rania Subaih, and Director of Zaha Cultural Centre in Aqaba, Ahmad Kreishan, briefed her on the various activities the centre offers to beneficiaries and the broader local community.

 

Her Majesty also toured the facilities, beginning with the football field, where she viewed a demonstration by the centre’s youth karate team. The Queen then stopped by the handicrafts workshop, which hosts pottery activities and women empowerment programmes.

 

Her Majesty passed by the "Karameesh" room, dedicated to offering financial and social literacy programmes to children between the ages of three and six, as well as the centre’s early childhood play areas. She also attended a women’s workshop in the Psychological and Social Wellbeing Centre.

 

Other stops on Queen Rania’s tour included the centre’s computer lab, math and chess training room, and robotics Creative Thinking room. Her visit concluded with a children’s ballet performance in the centre’s multipurpose hall, alongside a youth art exhibition and musical performance in the outdoor courtyard.

 

The centre is supported by the Royal Hashemite Court, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Arab Potash Company, Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Van Leer Foundation, and Aqaba Governorate Council. It operates through grants provided by ASEZA and the Aqaba Development Corporation.