By Vatican News
JORDAN – 2030 will mark 2,000 years since the traditional date of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, which took place in what is now Al-Maghtas, Jordan.
On Monday Aug 10, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan August chaired the first meeting of the National Committee for the Preparation of the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ.
The committee, which includes ministers, religious and community leaders and representatives of relevant institutions, serves as the national reference point for preparing and overseeing the commemoration.
During the meeting, Hassan stressed the need to immediately begin preparations in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to support the initiative put forward by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.
He said commemorating the second millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ reflects Jordan’s historical and religious standing and its role as a global destination for Christian pilgrimage, while highlighting the Kingdom’s message of coexistence, respect for others, peace, love and human fraternity.
Hassan said the government is mobilizing all available resources to support the occasion, describing it as an opportunity to reinforce Jordan’s position as a land of religious heritage and a global destination for Christian pilgrims.
The meeting reviewed plans by the Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site to implement several projects, including an integrated village for Christian pilgrims and visitors, a museum dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus Christ, a green corridor and infrastructure upgrades at the site.
Participants also stressed the importance of forming specialized subcommittees to oversee implementation, with support from experts and specialists, in a manner befitting the significance of the occasion.
The National Committee for Preparing the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 is chaired by the Jordanian Prime Minister. Its membership includes the Ministers of Government Communication, Interior, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Tourism and Antiquities.
The committee also includes Bishop Christophoros Atallah, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan; Archbishop Dr Iyad Twal, Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan; Archbishop Hossam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop; Bishop Munib Younan, former Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Baptism Site Development Foundation; the Director General of the Baptism Site Commission; the Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board;Nadim Al-Mauasher; Osama Imseeh; and Basem Farraj. – Vatican News
