AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Thursday stressed the need to prepare for the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 in a way that reflects Jordan’s religious and historical significance and its international standing.

 

Chairing the second meeting of the High-Level National Committee tasked with preparing for the occasion, Hassan directed executive committees to continue their work according to clear agendas and timelines, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

He called for institutionalising the committees’ work within the Prime Ministry, providing the necessary support and submitting regular progress reports.

 

Hassan also referred to HRH Crown Prince Hussein’s recent visit to the Baptism Site, Al Maghtas, and his directives to enhance the experience of Christian pilgrims and visitors.

 

The prime minister stressed the need to complete projects signed last month on schedule, ensuring the site is equipped with the necessary facilities to improve its infrastructure and services.

 

He also highlighted the importance of international marketing over the next three years, calling for efforts to promote Jordan as a “primary” destination for Christian pilgrimage and religious tourism, particularly in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

 

Hassan directed officials to explore the establishment of a mobile museum to attract visitors from around the world and develop partnerships with churches and travel agencies internationally.

 

He also called for a detailed calendar of events covering 2027-2030 and reaffirmed government support for proposals aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.

 

During the meeting, participants reviewed progress on various projects and discussed proposals to develop the Baptism Site.

 

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin briefed the committee on the executive bodies overseeing infrastructure, church relations, narrative and communications, marketing, visitor experience, digital transformation and event calendar management.

 

Chaired by the prime minister, the National Committee includes the ministers of government communication, interior, digital economy and entrepreneurship, and tourism and antiquities.

 

It also includes Archbishop Christophoros Atallah, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Iyad Twal, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Baptism Site Adjacent Area Development Foundation, the director general of the Baptism Site Commission, the director general of the Jordan Tourism Board, and Nadim Muasher, Osama Imseeh and Basem Farraj.