Tourism Minister: Invitation Extended to Coptic Church to Participate in Celebrations of the Baptism of Jesus Christ

Al-Taj News –

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin said on Monday that Pope Tawadros II has been invited for the Coptic Church to participate in preparations for and celebrations marking the second millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in Jordan in 2030.

Hijazin said in press remarks that the Coptic Church is one of the mother churches with a presence in the region, Egypt, the Arab world, and globally.

He added that Jordan will not wait until 2030, explaining that His Majesty the King directed the Prime Minister and the government team to begin preparations for the celebrations immediately, in response to a request from the heads of local churches during a meeting held on May 18 to work on organizing events for 2030.

He explained that events will be held each year, including the “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibition, which will be held early next year in Washington, United States, before later moving to other countries.

Hijazin said Jordan had invited Pope Tawadros to hold one of the Coptic Church’s councils in Jordan, while also working with other churches, stressing that churches are the main partners in these events.

Regarding projects in the Baptism Site, which have been allocated approximately $120 million, Hijazin said the projects designated for the site represent the beginning, explaining that work includes completing churches, including the Coptic Church, as well as developing infrastructure.

He added that the projects include a museum presenting the story of the site and its connection to other Christian sites in Jordan, a pilgrims’ village providing various services, as well as the “Green Corridor,” which will showcase the site’s natural environment as it was 2,000 years ago, when Saint John the Baptist, known as Prophet Yahya, lived there.

Al-Mamlaka