Ma'an Abu Nowar

Ma’an Abu Nowar (; 1928–2016) was a Jordanian major general, minister, diplomat, and historian. He held senior national roles including command positions in the Jordanian Armed Forces, head of the Public Security Directorate, deputy prime minister, ambassador to the United Kingdom, mayor of Amman, and senator in the Jordanian Parliament. He served as minister in several key portfolios and supported the establishment of Jordan’s Civil Defense. Over the decades, he contributed to the development of Jordan’s military institutions, public infrastructure, national media, and sports. In his later years, he authored historical works documenting Jordan’s modern political and military history.

Early career and military service Abu Nowar was born in Amman in 1928. He joined the Arab Legion in 1943, during the early years of Jordan’s military development. He served in various command and staff positions and was promoted to the rank of Major General in the Jordanian Armed Forces.

He later held a number of key national security roles. In 1965, he was appointed director of Jordan’s Civil Defense, where he played a major role in structuring and developing the institution during its formative years. In 1967, he was named director of public security, and in 1969, he became director of the Department of Moral Guidance (مدير التوجيه المعنوي), where he oversaw military publications, internal communication, and public messaging. In 1963 he was counselor, Jordanian Embassy London. From 1964 to he was director of the Jordan Civil Defense From to he was director of Jordan Public Security. From 1969 to he was assistant chief of staff for general affairs. In 1972 he was minister of culture and information. From 1973 to he was ambassador in London (United Kingdom). In 1976 he was secretary of the capital, Amman. In 1979 he was minister of public works. In 1980 he was minister of culture, youth and minister of tourism and antiquities. In 1989 he was assistant chief of staff, editor of Al-Aqsa (newspaper of the Jordanian Armed Forces) director of Moral Guidance and published: The History of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: The creation and development of Transjordan, 1920-1929. In 1993 he was minister of information. In 1994 he was appointed deputy prime minister and member of the Senate. In 1997 he retired from public service. He was a first class member of the Order of the Star of Jordan.

Government roles After concluding his military and security service, Ma’an Abu Nowar held several ministerial positions across different Jordanian cabinets between the 1970s and 1990s. These roles spanned a range of public sectors including media, culture, infrastructure, youth, and tourism.

He was appointed Minister of Culture and Information in October 1972, during a period when the ministry was responsible for both national cultural affairs and state media. His tenure coincided with an important phase of media expansion in Jordan, including upgrades to national television and radio broadcasting systems. He served in this role until May 1973.

His tenure aligned with broader national efforts to modernize infrastructure and respond to population growth. With his background in public works and civil administration, he contributed to the implementation of various municipal projects during a formative period in the city’s development.

In parallel, Abu Nowar served as Minister of Youth, where he supported sports policy and programs aimed at expanding youth participation in athletics and cultural activities.

In Arabic, his works include في سبيل القدس, معركة الكرامة, and others.

Legacy and recognition Ma’an Abu Nowar held a range of prominent roles across the military, government, diplomacy, media, and historical scholarship over the course of more than five decades. His career spanned key phases in the development of the Jordanian state.

In recognition of his public service, he was appointed to the Jordanian Senate in 1993, where he served until 1997. He also held the post of Deputy Prime Minister.

In military and security spheres, Abu Nowar played a role in the development of several national institutions, including the Civil Defense Department and the Public Security Directorate.

Beyond government, his contributions to public discourse and historical research left a documented record of key events in Jordan’s history. His published works continue to be cited by historians and researchers.

Abu Nowar remained active in public life well into the 2000s. He died on 22 September 2016 at the age of 88.

Selected publications English The Development of Trans-Jordan 1929–1939 – Ithaca Press, 2004 The Jordanian–Israeli War, 1948–1951 – Ithaca Press, 2002 The Creation and Early Development of Transjordan 1920–1929 – Ithaca Press, 2006

Arabic في سبيل القدس معركة الكرامة تاريخ شرق الأردن وقبائلها الدولة في السلم والحرب الألعاب الأوليمبية في الديمقراطية الحديثة رسائل إلى الشباب