JORDAN-POSITIVE INITIATIVE Jordanian man offers sweet acts of kindness to fellow citizens

Record ID: 149839

  • Title: JORDAN-POSITIVE INITIATIVE Jordanian man offers sweet acts of kindness to fellow citizens
  • Date: 2nd June 2015
  • Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (JUNE 1, 2015) (REUTERS) MARWAN OMAR LEAVING HIS HOME VIEW OF MOSQUE OMAR ENTERING MOSQUE COURTYARD OMAR LEAVING MOSQUE VARIOUS OF OMAR GIVING SWEETS TO PEOPLE OMAR TALKING TO THE IMAM OF THE MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IMAM, AMEEN SANWAR, SAYING: ''The sweets are indeed small but its meaning is big. It talks to the hearts and it really makes kind of love big
  • Embargoed: 17th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8LZDHB7U3Z6KZFSFEAUDIMQT9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Jordanian public sector worker Marwan Omar is on a mission - to inspire Jordanians to do random acts of kindness in order to spread positivity in the kingdom.
    For nearly seven years Marwan Omar has taken it upon himself to give sweets to strangers, hoping to inspire them too to perform good deeds no matter how big or small.
    At a time when the region is embroiled in conflicts, with thousands of people losing their lives and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes, living in desperate conditions, many here welcome Omar's small gesture.
    Among those who encourage Omar to continue his initiative is mosque Imam Ameen Sanwar.
    ''The sweets are are indeed small but its meaning is big. It talks to the hearts and it really makes kind of love bigger and bigger and bigger,'' said Sanwar.
    Omar has given out thousands of sweets to passers-by over the years, he says that whenever he goes out he always carries sweets with him to give to people, whether at work, a hospital or a supermarket.
    "The idea of sweets came by coincidence. I saw a child with his father at a mosque receiving sweets from a man who was praying. I took this idea and built on it in 2008 and I continued until now. Since 2008 until now, the number of sweets that I have given to people is around 70,000,'' he said.
    "Whenever I give out the sweets, I feel that people are relieved and they have a sense of tranquility. They want to approach me and talk to me, a lot of them give me sweets and say, ''take them you hand these out too''. I also ask them to initiate it as well, and the region around us is on fire and people are living under stress and thank God we live in a beautiful, peaceful, united atmosphere, "he added.
    Now Omar is writing a book about his experience, entitled 'Passport towards your hearts. Tales and surprises'. The book details why he came up with the idea and the different responses that he has had from people over the years. He hopes those who read the book will be inspired to follow in his footsteps.
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