Milhilard.org team

Amman hosted the launch ceremony for the dubbed Arabic version of the international series The Chosen, in an event organized by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, in cooperation with the Lighthouse Arab World Foundation, and with the participation of a delegation from the American Come and See Foundation.
The Chosen is considered one of the most prominent international dramas that addresses the life of Jesus Christ from a profound human and spiritual perspective, highlighting his calling and his interaction with his disciples and the people he met in their daily lives. The series achieved remarkable global success, with its seasons being translated and dubbed into more than one hundred languages, which qualified it to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the most translated series for online streaming in history.
The Milhilard.org tean surveyed the opinions of some religious, media, academic, and legal figures who participated in the event, expressing diverse impressions about the work in terms of its spiritual and human content, the quality of its production, the importance of dubbing it into Arabic, and the role it can play in conveying the message of the Gospel to a wider Arab audience in a language close to the heart and reality.
Rev. Botrus Mansour, General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance: “The most beautiful story ever told is presented today in a language close to the heart. The product is a tremendous work, very wonderful, mastered at a high level in the Arabic language, and a mixture between colloquial and classical Arabic that is very close to the heart. It was produced from within our region; it contains dialects, including Syrian and other dialects, which made it easy for us to understand. I can say that it is the most beautiful story that has been told, and the most beautiful story on earth is the story of the Lord Jesus. I am very happy that there is a work that has been dubbed into the Arabic language at this high and beautiful level.”
Father Dr. Bassam Shahatit, a researcher in citizenship issues and family laws in Arab countries, and a priest in the Melkite parish of Aqaba: “Reading the entire work is essential before making a final judgment. First, I’d like to point out that the premiere of the film The Chosen was held in Jordan, attended by people from all walks of life. To give a comprehensive opinion, I need to see the film in its entirety. Some scenes were shown at the premiere, but they weren’t like the ones we’re used to seeing in films about the life of Jesus Christ that we’ve known since childhood. The film is of a high standard in terms of direction and acting, and is translated into multiple languages. It focuses more on the human and Arab dimension than the spiritual or biblical one. It’s important to ensure its conformity with the Bible, especially in the added details and dialogue. Ultimately, it’s essential to watch the entire film before offering a comprehensive and accurate analysis.”
Archdeacon Faeq Haddad, Episcopal Vicar of Jordan: “Professional dubbing keeps the faith alive and close to reality. I attended the launch of the Arabic-dubbed version of The Chosen, and I left with a profound and heartwarming impression. The work is truly creative, not only in terms of its artistic quality and masterful acting but also in its humane and heartfelt approach to presenting the story of Jesus and his disciples. The Arabic dubbing was professional, preserving the spirit and depth of the original text, and conveying the message to the Arab viewer smoothly and with respect for their culture and language. Personally, I loved the work because it opens a new window for reflection and makes faith alive, tangible, and relevant to people’s lives today.”

Rev. Dr. Nabeeh Abbasi, President of the Baptist Church in Jordan: “The Chosen opens a contemporary faith-based dialogue in the language of the heart. My participation in the launch of the Arabic-dubbed version of The Chosen was a unique and encouraging experience. I believe this work presents a profoundly human portrait of Jesus Christ and his disciples, in a contemporary and relatable artistic style, without compromising its respect for the biblical text and spiritual dimension. This is even though it contains much fictional dialogue not found in the Gospels. Dubbing the work into Arabic is a very important step, as it opens the door for a wider audience in our region to engage with the Gospel story in a heartfelt way and contributes to strengthening interfaith and intercultural dialogue. I believe that The Chosen is a valuable addition to Christian productions and can be an effective tool for reflection, teaching, and building bridges between faith and daily life.”

Dr. Imad Shehadeh, President of the Jordanian Institute for Theological Studies (JETS), said that the launch was highly professional, with a clearer theological focus. Although the launch program was somewhat lengthy, it maintained a high, professional, and sophisticated standard, deserving of respect and appreciation. At the event, while the complete series highlights many of Christ’s works, it was both appropriate and necessary to emphasize the most significant: his death on the cross for the redemption of humanity from their sins, followed by his resurrection to affirm what he accomplished on the cross, allowing all who believe in him to share in new life.

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara from Bethlehem Bible College stated, “Dubbing the work into Arabic opens new horizons for believers in the Middle East, and the launch event in Jordan brings together denominations from Palestine and Lebanon.” The series, The Chosen, has been a significant source of encouragement for his family in Jerusalem. He began watching it from the very beginning, noting that living in the Holy Land, along with his prior knowledge of the Bible, made the series a valuable addition to understanding the life of Jesus Christ, his miracles, and his interactions with people. The importance of Arabic dubbing lies in helping Arab Christians in the Middle East grasp the story of Christ more deeply. The launch event in Jordan was particularly special, witnessing a large turnout from various denominations and neighboring countries such as Palestine and Lebanon.

Reverend Walid Madanat, Spiritual Leader of the Nazarene Evangelical Church in Jordan, emphasized that creativity in conveying the good news is essential while preserving the essence of the text. He described the drama as beautiful and interesting in terms of sound and image, noting that the content seems to address different groups in society. He supports creativity in conveying the good news to the whole world. However, he acknowledged that some in the church community may have felt uncomfortable with certain words or scenes that deviated from the biblical text. He clarified that this series is not based on a writer’s narrative or the life of an ordinary person, but rather on events from the Bible and the central figure, the Lord Jesus.

Ruba Rihani, First Vice President of the Women’s Baptist Federation International, shared her thoughts on The Chosen: “When the story becomes a path to truth.” In an Arab world accustomed to viewing Christianity through political lenses or historical conflicts, the Arabic version of The Chosen arrives to convey that the story is much deeper than that, based on the verse in John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The liberating truth is not merely information to be known but a reality to be experienced and lived. Storytelling serves as the bridge between knowledge and experience. The Chosen series recognizes this truth, as it does not merely recount events from the life of Christ, but rather re-presents the grand story: Why did he come? Who is he? And what does his presence mean in human life? Through real, tired, frightened, and meaning-seeking characters, we see how Christ approaches humanity as they are, not as they are supposed to be.

The power of The Chosen lies in its invitation to discover truth rather than imposing it by force. It opens up questions instead of closing them, allowing viewers to see Christ not just as a historical figure or a passing prophet, but as the one who came to change the course of humanity and history alike. In this series, Christ is more than a prophet; he is the Word of God incarnate, present in suffering, confronting injustice, and calling for profound inner freedom. He is the Savior who came to redeem humanity from the burden of original sin and grant them hope for eternal life.

The series’s importance is evident in the timing of its broadcast, especially with its presentation in Arabic and its availability for free viewing, allowing a wide audience to understand the character of Jesus Christ in human and spiritual depth, away from stereotypes, and to engage with his message of love and peace through his teachings, preaching, and miracles.

Rev. Bashar Nemat from the Christian Union Church in the Seventh Circle remarked: “We are proud that Arabic is part of this global project.” He described his participation in the launch of the Arabic version of The Chosen as a unique experience. The work itself is a massive undertaking executed with high professionalism, drawing viewers into the story with boundless imagination and rich detail, largely due to the high level of production quality. What truly delighted him was the creators’ attention to including the Arabic language.

He expressed pride that their language has become part of this global project, as it allows every Arab household to follow this great work, understand it in their own language and feelings, and deeply reach its message. Above all, their concern is that the message of Christ the Savior reaches every heart. He noted the beauty of launching this project from beloved Jordan, a country linked to the journey of Jesus Christ since his baptism in the Jordan River. Embracing this project today represents a continuation of Jordan’s cultural and spiritual role.

Father Joseph Sweid, Patriarchal Vicar of the Maronite Church in Jordan, described The Chosen as “When Art Meets Faith.” He praised the team for presenting a rare model in directing, narration, and production—one that not only portrays faith but serves it with awareness and responsibility. This work adds real value to cinema, television, and spiritual dialogue, reminding us that art, when rooted in integrity, can become a space for encounter, reflection, and grace. The dignity and depth brought to the narrative of faith are evident in every creative choice—from lighting to silence, rhythm to performance—carefully directed to serve the encounter with Jesus Christ.

Attorney Dr. Haitham Erefij commented that The Chosen represents a significant dramatic work that changes the stereotypical image of Christian films. It goes beyond focusing solely on the character of Christ to show the impact of his message on people and their daily lives. The series does not present a traditional narrative; rather, it illustrates how Christ leaves his mark on those he meets and on the various paths of their lives.

The Chosen is distinguished as a message reaching many people in their own languages, reflecting a new approach to conveying the Christian message through more accessible and impactful means. Furthermore, investing in such a dramatic work indicates a forthcoming period that will witness a different expression of Christian messages, underscoring the importance of drama as an effective tool in this field.

He believes this unique work may expand in the future to include episodes highlighting other personalities, showcasing angles that were not previously understood, and enabling viewers to realize the impact of Christ on their personal lives through vivid examples. Holding the launch event in Jordan also underscores the country’s importance in the region, and he hopes that future dubbing will include the Jordanian dialect, which is close to several dialects, in addition to standard Arabic, thus increasing accessibility for the audience.

Rula Al-Sama’in, a media personality and writer specializing in social peace, remarked that The Chosen reminds people that they are loved and not forgotten. She noted that this monumental work represents a tremendous and much-needed effort at this time, given its authentic ability to present the life of Jesus Christ, his miracles, and the message of love and peace he preached. Many today need to be reminded that there is a God who loves them and wants them to realize they are loved and not forgotten. This series succeeds profoundly and simply in conveying this human and spiritual message.

She expressed that the work genuinely moved her, confident that its impact would resonate with many as it did with her. She felt honored to be the master of ceremonies at the launch of the Arabic version and extended her gratitude to the organizing bodies that worked hard to produce the dubbed Arabic version: Come and See Foundation, Lighthouse, and the Catholic Center. Special thanks were also given to the professional pianist Grace Abu Daher for her unifying role in bringing these parties together and ensuring the success of this special event.

.Jumana Akawi, Principle- Alliance Academy-Jordan, said she was very pleased to attend this special celebration. I believe that translating the series into Arabic will greatly contribute to conveying the good news to a wider audience and will give those interested in learning about Jesus Christ and the message of salvation the opportunity to understand the message in their native language, especially since it was produced in colloquial Arabic and in a heartfelt style. I am personally keen to see the complete Arabic version.

The celebration was elegant and distinctive in its content and organization, and it was a rich and moving experience.

Rev. Kamal Mansour, pastor of Al-Hosun Baptist Church, called the Chosen a profound spiritual and human work, centered on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and presented with a smooth and heartfelt love, in a calm style far removed from direct preaching, with sincere performance and acting, and sometimes relying on imaginative artistic touches that add beauty and depth to the experience.