By : Nedal Zubeidi
Jordan Daily – In Jordan, where politics often intersects with family heritage and personal experience, certain figures emerge who carry the weight of legacy while looking toward the future. Zuhair Mohammad Al-Khashman is one of those figures. In my view, examining his journey- bridging his father’s parliamentary legacy and his current position as a member of parliament and CEO of Jordan Aviation, Jordan’s first successful private airline reveals much about the challenges facing Jordanian politicians, balancing tradition with renewal.
His father, Captain Mohammad Al-Khashman, built a successful career in aviation and served as a member of parliament, and he continues to be a prominent figure in business today.This combination of experiences- managing both a private enterprise and serving in public office- gave Zuhair a rare perspective: an understanding of how to manage institutions, whether private or public, and a clear sense that responsibility is more than a title- it is a duty that demands diligence and transparency.
Zuhair himself chose the political path, but he has clearly absorbed his father’s lessons. In my opinion, he combines economic pragmatism with genuine patriotism. He addresses the daily concerns of ordinary citizens- economy, tax fairness, transparency in government- while remaining committed to Jordan’s larger national principles, including sovereignty and support for Palestine. This combination is what lends him credibility: he is close to the people’s concerns without abandoning his broader national vision.
I also think his balance between politics and managing his private business adds a practical dimension to his vision. He understands firsthand the challenges of Jordan’s economy, the management of institutions, and job creation. This, in my view, informs his parliamentary positions and statements on fiscal and administrative reform and this blending of public and private tasks makes him a rare example of a politician with a comprehensive vision- one that goes beyond rhetoric to action and management.
Over the past few weeks, I tried to meet him, but his extensive commitments made it impossible. I think this busy schedule reflects the reality of his daily life- managing a major national company, fulfilling parliamentary duties, and addressing citizens’ needs.This busyness does not diminish his political presence; it enhances it, showing a person committed to real work rather than mere public appearances.
I also see Al-Khashman’s strength lies in his courage to critique and hold accountable. He does not shy away from criticizing government budgets or excessive privileges, nor does he hesitate to call for limiting political influence that obstructs reform, this courage is not empty noise- it is an attempt to rebuild trust between citizens and the state, and I believe this trust is key to any meaningful reform in Jordan.
On broader political issues, I see him reflecting Jordan’s official stance: steadfast in supporting Palestine and maintaining the Hashemite custodianship of holy sites, yet adding his own mark- refusing to remain silent in the face of transgressions and insisting that national dignity is non-negotiable.This balance between national commitment and internal reform makes his positions both noteworthy and, at times, controversial- but controversy, in my view, is essential for keeping democracy alive.
Ultimately, I think Zuhair Al-Khashman represents a model of a young politician who bridges parliamentary and business legacy with his own vision for reform. Success, as I see it, is not achieving every promise but building bridges of trust, making parliament a space for meaningful work, and running a national company effectively at the same time. If he continues on this path, he will leave a legacy remembered not only as the son of a successful parliamentarian and businessman but as a figure who balanced family heritage with national and professional ambition.
