The ancient Jordanian town of Madaba − known as the City of Mosaics − is a tourism magnet, with its historic streets, olive trees and hidden gems tucked away in every corner.
One of these magical nooks is Kawon, a bookshop in the centre of town on Palestine Street, that is known for its stock of rare editions, quirky interior − and a resident tribe of cats.
The bookshop, the town's first, was opened 10 years ago by Ghaith Bahdousheh, who left the corporate world to sell books.
Mr Bahdousheh told Jordanian media at its launch that he started Kawon because there were no books accessible to him in his town, forcing him to drive almost an hour to Amman every time he wanted to buy some. He received help from volunteers around the world with funding and books, and also support from Queen Rania of Jordan.
A circular black sign etched with the shop's name − which means universe in Arabic − hangs from an archway at the entrance to the 150-year-old building and its garden, which features spaces for browsing, dining or simply relaxing, with cats milling about for company.
Going through the front entrance – where a wooden stand displays a colourful assortment of home-made jam and other condiments for sale – and going down the steps into the shop feels like being transported to a different world.
Inside is a display of vintage audio cassettes, maps, records and handmade souvenirs. Past the cashier, new and second-hand books, sorted according to genre, are scattered around three rooms; some on shelves other stacked in piles on the floor.
Works of art can be found in every section of the shop, including a prominently displayed portrait of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, decorated with coffee pods and the lids of tins.
One of the rooms houses an extensive inventory of rare titles, antique books in several languages, and historical Asian artwork. For cat lovers, there is the prospect of occasionally discovering a cardboard box with a litter of kittens safely stowed away here.
Besides being a bibliophile's dream, Kawon has an outdoor space that encourages social gatherings, especially among young people, and builds a sense of community.
“Kawon is a unique and special place in Madaba,” says Mera Sayegh, 26, who lived in the town before moving to California.
“Sometimes, I went alone when I needed some quiet time. With friends, it was fun and lively, and alone, it was calm and reflective.”
Ms Sayegh says she misses the “vibe” of the shop − from its coffee to its music, books and people.
“I always enjoyed spending time there. It had a peaceful atmosphere that made me feel comfortable and happy. It always lifted my mood.”
Madaba residents are not the only visitors though. Travellers from all over the world have made it a point to come here when visiting Jordan.
One tourist on Tripadvisor said the wall murals caught her eye, and she has had the best cup of chai in Kawon. “So glad we stopped in, wish we had done so sooner and more frequently during our stay in Madaba … a treasure when travelling. Don’t miss this place,” she said.
Another user recommended Kawon's cafe. “My favourite part was the cafe. There’s a section upstairs, just outside the entrance to the bookstore that offers food, so I ordered from them their dish of the day – which was superb! Seriously, it was probably my favourite meal during my time in Jordan,” she said.
A vegetarian kitchen – which serves a new dish daily – and coffee shop sit between the bookstore and garden outdoors, its walls lined with jars of herbs and local spices.
As customers wait for their orders, conversations blossom about food, books they are reading, or how their day has been. Madaba being a small town, many of the visitors are likely to know each another, creating a strong local community.
People can also be seen stretched out on the Arab floor seating in the large outdoor area, reading and sipping sage tea as soft music plays through the speakers.
Tables and chairs are also set up for dining around the garden, each set with its own personality, with some seat cushions upholstered from coffee bags and rugs.
When there are no customers, the seats are occupied by sunbathing felines that can also be seen strutting about the place, enjoying the bowls of food and water the owners leave out for them. Over the years, their presence has become a feature of the bookshop, attracting new customers and adding to the ambience.
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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