NewsTracker Answers for week of Apr 12, 2021

Q: Jordan's King Abdullah II said last week the kingdom was safe from and alleged conspiracy said to involve his younger half-brother, Prince Hamzah. The king said Prince Hamzah had "pledged to remain loyal." Where is Jordan?

Circle the area on this map


Q: King Abdullah received a message of support from the royal court of what large kingdom on Jordan’s southern and southeastern border?

A. Bahrain

B. Kuwait

C. Qatar

D. Saudi Arabia


D. “The kingdom affirms its full support, with all its capabilities, to all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah,” said a statement from the ruling royal House of Saud. The monarchs of the Arab nations of Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar also pledged support for Abdullah. Jordan also is bordered by Iraq, Syria, Israel and the West Bank.


Q: King Abdullah and his half brother trace their ancestry to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. Until it was conquered by the House of Saud in 1925, Abdullah’s family ruled Islam’s holiest city ….

A. Mecca

B. Medina

C. Ridyah

D. Tabuk


A. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad and where Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. Visiting Mecca for the Hajj is an obligation for all able Muslims.


Q: Jordan has what type of government?

A. Absolute monarchy

B. Constitutional monarchy

C. Meritocracy

D. Theocracy


B. Jordan is considered a constitutional monarchy with an elected house of parliament. But unlike most constitutional monarchies where royal roles are now largely ceremonial, the King Abdullah has considerable executive and legislative powers. In Saudi Arabia and most of the other Arab monarchies, royal leaders exercise absolute power.


Q: King Abullah’s great-grandfather became the first king of Jordan after he and his father led a revolt against which rulers?

A. British

B. French

C. Ottomans

D. Saudis


C. During World War I in 1916, Abdullah I and his father, the Sharif of Mecca, led an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire which had ruled the Mideast since the 16th century. Britain was fighting the Ottoman Turks and backed the Arab revolt. After the war, Abdullah I became king of the newly created state of Jordan and his brother became king of Iraq.