From Bkerke, Hijazin Affirms the Maronite Church’s Participation in the 2030 Celebration

Al-Taj News – Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad Hijazin met Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi at the Patriarchal See in Bkerke, in the presence of Lebanese Minister of Tourism Laura El Khazen Lahoud.

During the meeting, Hijazin stressed the importance of the Maronite Church’s participation in commemorating 2,000 years since the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River in 2030, and the religious, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of the occasion.

Hijazin conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah II’s greetings to Patriarch Al-Rahi and His Majesty’s wishes for his continued good health and for him to continue carrying the message of love, peace, and dialogue. He also reviewed Jordan’s preparations for the 2030 celebration as part of the “Jordan, Dawn of Christianity” vision.

He noted that Jordan is working to highlight more than 34 Christian sites as part of an integrated visitor experience extending from the Baptism Site to a number of sites and routes rich in religious and historical landmarks.

During his visit to Lebanon, Hijazin toured a number of tourist and religious sites and routes and reviewed the Lebanese experience in presenting its spiritual and cultural heritage.

For his part, Patriarch Al-Rahi appreciated the support of His Majesty King Abdullah II and his appreciation of the historic relations between Jordan, the Maronite Church, and Lebanon. He praised His Majesty’s initiative to allocate a piece of land to the Maronite Church at the Baptism Site to establish a church there.

The Patriarch welcomed the Maronite Church’s participation in the 2030 celebration, which enhances the spiritual dimension of the occasion and embodies the message of encounter, openness, and peace.