By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ) President Prof. Nathir Obeidat on Sunday received British historian, author and journalist Justin Marozzi, who is visiting Jordan as part of research into Hashemite heritage and early Islamic history.
Marozzi was accompanied by Mazen Homoud, President of the Jordan Economic Forum and former ambassador to the United Kingdom, as well as Hanaa Al-Areedi, representing the office of Prince El Hassan bin Talal, and political scientist Saad Abu Diya.
The University said the visit forms part of Marozzi’s broader efforts to document Hashemite heritage, including work tracing the lineage of Hashim ibn Abd Manaf to more than 1,500 years ago.
The meeting was attended by Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Financial Affairs and Digital Transformation Prof. Ziad Hawamdeh and Vice President for Humanities Schools Prof. Nahed Amaish. Discussions reviewed key sources available at the University, particularly through the Center for Documents, Manuscripts and Bilad al-Sham Studies, as well as the Center for Strategic Studies, and how these collections could support and enrich Marozzi’s research.
Obeidat welcomed the guest and reaffirmed the University’s readiness to host international scholars interested in Arab and Islamic history, stressing its commitment to providing the academic support needed to advance research collaboration and scholarly exchange.
The meeting also highlighted UJ’s academic standing regionally and internationally, its ongoing institutional modernisation efforts, its expanding focus on technical education, and the growing integration of artificial intelligence tools in teaching and research.
Marozzi expressed appreciation for the University’s hospitality and underscored the value of cooperation with UJ. He also voiced interest in future joint projects to document Hashemite history and strengthen its place in academic study, while showcasing Jordan’s cultural and historical role at both regional and international levels.
Marozzi has spent much of his career living and working across the Islamic world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a former trustee of the Royal Geographical Society. His book Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood won the Ondaatje Prize.