Taking Pictures in Jordan is Forbidden
I spent the day in the municipality of Jerash working with Iraqis to create agricultural training videos. I brought along my digital camera to record the event.
Upon returning to Amman, I felt a bit tired and needed to get my blood pumping, so I decided to walk home from Shmesani. As I walked, I pulled out my multimedia storage drive that I use to back up all my photos and started reviewing my pictures from the day. I was still reviewing the pictures as I neared the government security training center in Jabal Amman (which happens to be close to my house) when a security vehicle pulled up next to me and demanded to know what I was doing.
The officer in the truck insisted that I was taking pictures of the security center. I explained to him that I didn’t even have a camera in my hands, so how could I be taking pictures? The officer continued his inquiry, questioning the device in my hand. I explained that it was like a Play Station (how else can I explain it to someone who is ignorant of such things?), he ordered me to turn it on and play it. So I switched it on and scrolled to a movie on the hard drive (thankfully I had one) and commenced playing so that he could see. (If he would have seen all the back-up photos on the drive, there would have been no way to convince him that it wasn’t a camera.)
The officer then began to ask a series of questions about my nationality and where I lived, demanding to see my identification. I asked him what the problem was and he informed me that it was forbidden to take pictures of this security center. I told him yet again that I wasn’t taking pictures, even those he insisted that this must be a camera of some type. So I started to get mad, asking him whether he owned this public street that I was walking on. I asked him specifically which rule I was violating and why he continued to detain me without cause. Eventually, he gave up and finally let me go (which was good because I wasn’t doing anything wrong).
If this were the first time I’d been questioned or scolded for carrying a “strange” electronic device, I wouldn’t be so upset. But this happens to me all the time. And everywhere I go, taking photographs of the most mundane things is considered mamnua3 (forbidden). I’ve been told that taking pictures of flowers is forbidden. Taking pictures of sand is forbidden. Taking pictures of mosques is forbidden. Taking pictures of the street is forbidden. Doing anything that is outside of the limited understanding of the security police is forbidden.
At this rate, I expect that taking pictures in tourist locations such as Petra or Jerash will be forbidden by next year.
Mohanned March 8th, 2008 7:53 pm
You americans and your digital stuff
Hani Obaid March 8th, 2008 8:43 pm
I always go pay my phone bill at the Jo telecom branch in Rabieh, and up until a few month back, it would always be so crowded, you had to wait a minimum of 30 minutes, and sometimes upto 2 hours to pay your phone bill. So I always bring my mp3 player.
There is a security booth in front of Jordan telecom with 1 or 2 Public Security guards (Amn 3aam), and as soon as one of them saw my headphones, he wanted to know if I that was a camera, I explained to him that it’s an mp3 player, and show him that there were no lenses. Of course I didn’t tell him my mobile phone had a 5MP camera, but then again almost all mobile phones now have cameras, and I wasn’t even trying to use it to photograph anything. Anyway after assuring him 6 times it wasn’t a camera showing him my id card, explaining my family history, and where my family has been for the past 200 years, he let me go
I appreciate that these security checkpoints everywhere are there to protect us, and would want them to stay there, but taking pictures of Jordan shouldn’t be considered suspicious.
kinzi March 8th, 2008 9:03 pm
Hani, lol, where your family has been the past 200 years.
Dave, maybe it was because you were walking. Always makes them suspicious. I had to giggle a little bit, I’m learning that a little well-placed outrage goes a long way.
Qwaider قويدر March 8th, 2008 10:51 pm
Welcome to my nightmare!
This happens to me every time I try to take pictures anywhere!
And it’s against the constitution by the way.
I was detained for trying to take a picture of the Flag! I was later scolded an let get by the stupid police!
I later learned to hold my grounds. That’s the only way to deal with these Ignorant police, demand a superior. Someone who is able to recite the law article you are violating.
I tried that once in the Airport and I won against the stupid policeman when we both ended up in the “basha’s” office
ali alhasani March 8th, 2008 11:10 pm
Wow! i always take pictures in amman , I never got questioned by a police man or anyone , Once i went to the roman theater to take come pictures , 2 police men came with me the whole time just to make sure i take them safely , If taking pictures isn’t allowed i think they would have done something or said something , I have my camera with me everywhere and when i feel like taking a picture i grab it and take the picture without thinking that it’s forbidden! , Guess i will have to watch out from now on.
This is really weird! , But i think the police had the right to stop you , Since it’s a Police station! , They might have though your some kind of terrorist preparing for a operation by taking pictures of the place your going to attack.
But when a guy like this insists on something he doesn’t know about! , That makes me furious! , I mean are you that stupid ? , For the love of god , Can’t you tell if it’s a camera or not ?.
Jad March 8th, 2008 11:36 pm
Let’s face it dude, you look suspicious and I’m not going to accompany you any more.
NOTE: it’s 3 not 9 in mamno3
publicfacing March 9th, 2008 10:22 am
In regards to taking photos, I’ve found Jordan pretty free, even late at night — when dodgy people are more likely to be out! Dare I say, I’ve even snuck one or two of the American embassy. Oooo! Though I did get told once in Careefour not to take a picture of a grammatically-poor fish sign.
Sorry to go a little off-topic, but if there’s one area of stupidly arbitrary security theater it’s going into Safeway’s Swefieh supermarket: sometimes they scan their dirty mirror on just the driver’s side, rarely they walk all the way around, sometimes they check the boot, sometimes not, never mind that I may just hide the BIG HUGE BOMB underneath the seats. And worst of all, large cars and vans are rarely checked (P.S. security cards: more space = more room for explosives = bigger KA-BOOM). And worst of all, you can go into the 2nd floor car park and not be inspected, after such a thorough inspection on the 1st. Or go to both and not get so much as looked at. Last time they were too busy asking for a lighter to inspect my car. Just, have a policy Safeway and stick to it!
And Far Away » Weekending March 9th, 2008 10:49 am
[...] shop being fixed. It is really hard for me to function without my camera. I’m going to echo Dave here though and wonder why cops are being so annoying when it comes to taking photographs. It is so sad [...]
Nour March 9th, 2008 1:32 pm
I was assigned a photo-shoot in an area in Amman for a college project last year, and for that I was given a “legal” paper from my college, which officially authorized me to take pictures. And so I was all brave and fearless, but soon after I started taking pictures an officer came up to me and ordered me to stop, I showed him my paper and I told him (nicely) that I was authorized to take pictures, but of course that paper was not enough for him and he asked for my ID (which apparently was not enough either considering the fact that I am Lebanese and that was my Permanent Residence card) so his claim was that the legal college paper should mention that I WAS LEBANESE! Huh?!
So maybe (Just an ASSUMPTION based on my experience, your post and Mr. Ali’s comment) only people who look “non-Jordanian-ly” are the ones who get questioned.
Dave March 9th, 2008 3:01 pm
Mohanned, I know, isn’t it ridiculous?
Hani, never mind that every phone has a camera built in, but if I wanted to take pictures inside this security compound, I wouldn’t walk around the front and snap shots. The building across the street is the tallest in the area and anyone can just go up on the roof and take as many pictures as they want without being noticed.
Kinzi, it must have been the walking that created the suspicion.
Qwaider, if you ask them why taking pictures in any specific location is forbidden, they can never tell you the reason. They’re simply reciting what they’ve been told to do by their superiors: to deny photography in public places, no matter what.
Jad, yeah, I look like one of those dangerous, white American terrorists that live in our fair city.
Public Facing, as long as I stay away from police or security of any kind, I’m free to take as many pictures as I want. But as soon as one of these suspicious security buffoons comes around, I get a long line of questions and argument accompanied by checking of ID and denial of my rights.
Nour, I’ve been told that I needed to acquire official permissions to photograph certain iconic landmarks throughout the country, and then when I show up with the appropriate permissions, those in charge of security will still find some fault with the paperwork.
mo March 9th, 2008 3:57 pm
just be thankful that you are an AMERICAN in jordan … things could have been much uglier for you :p
MommaBean March 10th, 2008 12:47 pm
Dave, just look stupid, blond, female, and non-threatening :). I never seem to get askd. Of course all of my pictures are of shops, stores,a nd signs. And, I can’t recall one being near a secuirty depot of any sort. But I do find that pretending I don’t speak ANY Arabic and being a little blond woman helps :).
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