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Omar Razzaz

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Omar Razzaz
NameOmar Razzaz
OfficePrime Minister of Jordan
Term start4 June 2018
Term end12 October 2020
MonarchAbdullah II
PredecessorHani Mulki
SuccessorBisher Al-Khasawneh
Office1Minister of Education
Term start14 January 2017
Term end14 June 2018
Primeminister1Hani Mulki
Predecessor1Muhammad Thneibat
Successor1Azmi Mahafzah
Birth date1 January 1961
Birth placeAmman, Jordan
Alma materHarvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
PartyIndependent
SpouseLina Tal

Omar Razzaz is a Jordanian economist, academic, and former public official who served as the Prime Minister of Jordan from 2018 to 2020. Appointed by King Abdullah II during a period of widespread public protests over economic policy, his premiership focused on economic reform and social stability. His career has spanned significant roles in academia, international development, and key ministerial positions within the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Early life and education

Born in Amman, he is the son of former Prime Minister Munif al-Razzaz and grew up in a prominent political family. He completed his secondary education at the Islamic Educational College in Amman before pursuing higher studies abroad. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Harvard University and later received a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Career in academia and international organizations

He began his professional career as an assistant professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before returning to Jordan to teach at the University of Jordan. His expertise led him to the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he worked on development projects across the Middle East and North Africa region. He later served as the Vice President of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and as the Director of the Queen Rania Foundation, focusing on educational initiatives.

Minister of Education

In January 2017, he was appointed Minister of Education in the government of Prime Minister Hani Mulki. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform the national curriculum and improve the quality of public schooling. He advocated for greater integration of technology in classrooms and worked on policies to enhance vocational training, aiming to better align the education system with labor market needs.

Prime Minister of Jordan

He was appointed Prime Minister of Jordan by royal decree in June 2018, following the resignation of Hani Mulki amid the 2018 Jordanian protests against a proposed income tax law. His government's immediate task was to withdraw the controversial tax bill and engage in a national dialogue to address economic grievances. His premiership oversaw the negotiation of a new International Monetary Fund agreement and attempted to implement reforms to stimulate growth, combat unemployment, and attract foreign investment, while navigating a complex regional landscape involving the Syrian Civil War and relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Post-premiership activities

After leaving office in October 2020, succeeded by Bisher Al-Khasawneh, he returned to academia and advisory roles. He has been a frequent commentator on economic and political affairs in regional media outlets and has participated in various think tank forums. He has also served on the boards of several non-governmental organizations and educational institutions within the Arab world.

Political views and legacy

Widely regarded as a reform-minded technocrat, his political outlook emphasized pragmatic economic management, social justice, and educational advancement. His legacy is often associated with his attempt to steer Jordan through a turbulent economic period and his advocacy for a more inclusive development model. His premiership is analyzed in the context of the ongoing challenges facing the Hashemite monarchy in balancing reform pressures with stability.

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Prime Ministers of Jordan Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni