Eastnets’ Purpose

My company and I are driven by the desire to give people the tools to connect with each other and participate in the global economy. But this idea did not come out of thin air. My thinking has largely been shaped by my family upbringing, my Islamic faith, and my far-reaching globalism.?

It was from my father that I learned the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself. He taught me a lot during my formative years: stand up for what you believe in, cooperate with others, don’t shirk your responsibilities, and work hard. He also taught me to be proud of my Palestinian roots and of my Islamic faith. As I detail in my book:

“Growing up, I remember being surrounded by verses from the Qur’an. I know that he and my mother drew inspiration from the teachings of the holy book. The very first word revealed in the Qur’an is iqra or “read”, and I was encouraged to explore the world through literature as soon as I could walk. Other powerful Qur’anic words are jawda, ihsan and itqan - referring to quality, perfection and continuous improvement. Work hard, persevere, help others, strive to the best of your ability- these were some of the messages that have stayed with me.”

These lessons, combined with my inherited global links, which I’ve mentioned previously, gave me a wider and deeper view of the world.?

For nearly forty years, Eastnets’ central mission has remained the same, and it has also driven the approach to charitable work too. Over the years, Eastnets and I have supported two major philanthropic initiatives. One was Net Ketabi- a program designed to provide around 280,000 children in the occupied Palestinian territories with their own computers.?

Another initiative, which remains very close to my heart, is the work of the Rewell Society. Originally called the Rehabilitation and Welfare Society, it was founded nearly thirty years ago by my father. Following his death, I took over responsibility for the charity and incorporated it into Eastnets’ charitable activities. To date, Rewell has provided more than 40,000 poor and underprivileged Jordanians with vocational skills, giving them the essential tools to succeed in this fast-changing world.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, I view money as a by-product of a successful, purpose-driven company- not the other way around. It’s with this philosophy that I can happily say today why I do what I do: to connect people, protect them and their assets and empower them to participate in the global economy.