Amman (CD)- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan—named after the Jordan River and ruled by pro-Western King Abdullah II, the 41st direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, is preparing for a major global celebration marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ.
Emad Hijazin, Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who hails from a Christian family in the southern city of Karak, told Christian Daily that the Baptism Site Commission, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Royal Court will soon announce a comprehensive program for the upcoming millennial commemoration. Hijazin said that he is looking forward to meeting and coordinating with the Rev Botrus Mansour from Nazareth, the new secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, to encourage Christian pilgrims to Jordan. For his part Mansour told Christian Daily he i looks forward to visiting Jordan and meeting with the officials there. “We in the World Evangelical Alliance are excited in seeing how we can work closely with the Jordanian authorities on this and other issues” s Botrus Mansour the Secretary general of the WEA said.
As Christians worldwide approach the year 2030—marking the 2,000th anniversary of the death and Resurrection of Jesus—Jordan is accelerating preparations to honor what many consider one of the most sacred milestones in Christian history: the baptism of Jesus at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the internationally recognized location where John baptized Jesus and Christianity began its public mission.
The Baptism Site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015 and has long been a spiritual destination for pilgrims of all denominations. Successive popes have visited the site and affirmed its authenticity, consistent with the Gospel reference in John 1:28 to the place “beyond the Jordan” on the east bank of the river where John was baptizing.
Senator Michael Nazzal, chair of the Tourism and Heritage Committee in the Jordanian Senate, emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to presenting the baptismal millennium as a moment of global Christian unity. “Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, we are enhancing infrastructure, expanding pilgrimage services, and working closely with church leaders worldwide to welcome visitors from all denominations,” he told Christian Daily. “The Baptism Site is a cornerstone of Christian heritage, and Jordan is honored to safeguard it. This celebration is a reaffirmation of Jordan’s role as a trusted home for sacred Christian history.”
Local tourism leaders also see the millennium as a chance for economic recovery. Hanna Sawalha, owner of Nebo Tours, said the sector has endured years of hardship. “We were crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and just as things began to improve, the Gaza conflict kept most tourists and pilgrims away,” he said. “Now that the ceasefire is holding, we can finally start making medium- and long-term plans that will hopefully culminate in the millennial anniversary of Christ’s baptism.”
In the context of Jordan, the tourism sector is a main pillar of Jordanian economy contributing to approximately 11.4% of GDP and tourism receipt was 3293.4 million JD in 2017 (MoTA 2017). While much of that has focused on cultural and natural attractions, officials are hoping to get a boost from religious sites.
Jordan’s attractions include the ancient city of Petra, named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” in 2007, Wadi Rum a protected wilderness area and UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Jordan, known for its dramatic desert landscape of sandstone mountains, canyons, and red sands, often called the "Valley of the Moon". and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.
With global millennial celebrations, Jordan’s tourism officials hope the Baptismal Site will help drive sustained annual growth of 2–5 percent. Jordan’s Finance Minister expects a 2.9% growth in 2026.
Biblical archeologists note that more than one hundred sites in Jordan are referred to in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
To accommodate the expected surge in pilgrims, Jordan is fund raising for the construction of an authentic Palestinian-style first-century village near the Baptism Site, designed to enrich the historical and spiritual experience of visiting believers.
As Jordan positions itself as a central destination for Christian pilgrimage during this historic moment, officials say the goal is not only to welcome millions of visitors but to reaffirm the country's longstanding message of religious coexistence and guardianship of sacred Christian heritage sites.
