Doms in Jordan

Doms in Jordan

Total population
≈ 70,000[1][2]
Regions with significant populations
Amman
Languages
Domari, Arabic
Religion
Islam

There is a Dom community (known as **Bani Murra**,[2] Arabic: بني مرة) in Jordan. While Doms played a notable role in society at the time of Jordan's founding, some of its members now live in refugee camps with poor sanitary conditions.[2][3][4][5][6]

In May 2015, the community formed the Bani Murra Association and initiated an outreach campaign with the slogan "I am Bani Murra, I am Jordanian," aiming to combat stereotypes and promote better rights for their members.[2] A key demand of the Bani Murra Association is a guaranteed Parliament seat in Jordan's House of Representatives for Doms.[2] The organization was founded by community leader Fathi Mousa, son of famous musician Abdo Mousa, a favorite of King Hussein who had entertained many dignitaries at the palace.[7][2]

Romani people were a favorite theme by Mustafa Wahbi Al-Tal.[8]

References

1. "Jordan's Gypsies Maintain Identity Amid Stigmatization | محمد الفضيلات". assafirarabi.com. 31 July 2013.
2. Luck, Taylor (5 July 2015). "Jordan's scorned gypsies, the Dom, say it's time to demand their rights". Christian Science Monitor.
3. "Jordan: Presence and treatment of gypsies". Refworld. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
4. Roufan Nahhas (2 October 2015). "Jordan's neglected gypsies". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
5. Al-Khatib, Mahmoud A.; Al-Ali, Mohammed N. (15 May 2005). "Language and Cultural Maintenance Among the Gypsies of Jordan". Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 26 (3): 187–215. doi:10.1080/01434630508668404. ISSN 0143-4632.
6. Joshua Project. "Romani, Domari in Jordan". Joshua Project. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
7. "Jordan's 'invisible community' speaks out". Ammon News. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
8. "Toward a Romani Ethnology of Jordan". 21 June 2023.