Daoud Kuttab
The Jordanian government has intensified preparations for the second millennium celebration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site by forming a high-level national committee. This committee includes political ministers, religious figures, officials responsible for the Baptism Site, and relevant figures from Christian civil society.

The announcement by Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan reflects the culmination of Jordan’s commitment to accelerating preparations for the millennium event in 2030. Plans are expected to include developing land adjacent to the Baptism Site, implementing projects such as establishing an integrated village for Christian pilgrims and visitors, a museum of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, a green corridor, and the development of the site’s infrastructure. This will encourage Christian pilgrims to extend their stay in Jordan.

Senator Michel Nazzal, Chairman of the Tourism Committee in the Senate, stated that the Prime Minister’s decision elevates official interest and encourages all Jordanian state institutions to participate in ensuring the success of this historic event. This will enhance Jordan’s standing and highlight its role as the cradle of Christianity. On Monday, the Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of the High-Level National Committee for Preparations for the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030.

The committee will be the national authority and the sole body authorized to oversee the development of general policies and guidelines, the adoption of international communications and national procedures, and the planning and preparation for the implementation of events related to commemorating this anniversary in the Kingdom, as the land of baptism and a global destination for Christian pilgrimage.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to begin preparations immediately to commemorate this anniversary, in accordance with His Majesty the King’s directives to the government to support this initiative presented by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan. The Prime Minister stated that commemorating the second millennium of the baptism of Jesus Christ reflects Jordan’s historical, religious, and global standing, as well as its Hashemite leadership, highlighting its civilizational message and progressive model of respect for others and the values of coexistence, and embodying peace, love, and human fraternity.

The National Committee for the Preparation of the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 is formed under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, and with the membership of the Ministers of Government Communication, Interior, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Tourism and Antiquities, His Eminence Archbishop Christophoros Atallah / Archbishop of Jordan for the Greek Orthodox, His Eminence Archbishop Dr. Iyad Twal / Patriarchal Vicar for the Latins in Jordan, His Eminence Archbishop Hossam Naoum / Archbishop of the Anglican Church, His Eminence Archbishop Munib Younan / former Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site Dr. Tharwat Muhammad Hamdan, Director General of the Baptism Site Authority and Director General of the Tourism Promotion Authority Ramzi Maayta, and businessmen Nadeem Muasher, Osama Imseih, and Basem Farraj.