Jordan 2030… Preparations get underway

There are unique historic and spiritual events that occur only once in the course of generations, as Jordan today may be on the threshold of one of them. The year 2030 marks the  bimillenary anniversary of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, at “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” which presents our country with a rare historic, spiritual, and touristic opportunity, as well as a responsibility that necessitates  starting to prepare for effective today.

The Royal initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II from the Baptism Site, which was followed by the first meeting of the high-level National Committee tasked with preparing for this anniversary chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, have placed this major national project on the path toward implementation. It is a source of joy to note that practical steps have begun to accelerate as the Higher Committee for the Preparations has been established, and a number of agreements have been signed to develop the lands surrounding the Baptism Site in preparation for receiving pilgrims. These steps include establishing an integrated tourism village for visitors and pilgrims, developing infrastructure, constructing a major museum, and creating the “Green Corridor,” which will provide an important qualitative aesthetic and environmental addition to the holy site.

What is also noteworthy is that interest in these preparations has not remained local, as they quickly reached the international level. One of the most significant examples has been the considerable attention from the media of the Holy See as official Vatican media, in various languages, has reported Jordan’s preparations for the year 2030. The daily L’Osservatore Romano has also published coverage of the occasion which is an important indication that the Christian world has already begun turning its attention towards Jordan.

In a statement to media, Editorial Director of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication Andrea Tornielli said “Jordan is part of the Holy Land, it has exceptional beauty not only because it is the site of a basic event, namely the Baptism of Jesus Christ on the banks of the Jordan River, but also because other events recounted in the Gospel took place on this land.” Tornielli stressed the importance of Jordan’s preparation for this anniversary and marking it in a manner reflecting its religious and spiritual significance for Christians worldwide.

From this premise, I believe that alongside construction and development, the greatest project must focus on promotion. From now on, we must bring Jordan’s story to churches, dioceses, pilgrimage organizations, and religious-tourism institutions around the world, as well as translate our “Jordanian narrative” into different languages. Our ambition should not remain at the level of hundreds of thousands, but rather we should be prepared to receive millions of pilgrims.

The pilgrims will not come only to the Baptism Site, but rather to a Holy Land stretching from the Jordan River to Mount Nebo, Madaba, Machaerus, Mar Elias, Our Lady of the Mount, and other important historical and religious sites. They will also come to a country characterized by security, stability, and Muslim-Christian common living, and one that carries a historic Hashemite message of custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The spiritual dimension remains fundamental, as pilgrims do not come merely to take photographs, but to pray, repent, and seek blessings. Therefore, hotels, facilities, and numbers must never make us forget the spirit and meaning of this occasion.

The year 2030 is not merely a tourism project but rather an integrated national, spiritual, economic, media, and diplomatic project, as well as an opportunity that may not recur within a generation. The world has begun hearing about Jordan 2030, and we must perfectly relate the story and be prepared for the occasion. Consequently, I believe it is also our duty to pray for the soul of Jordanian Ambassador Malik Twal, who passed away a few days ago while serving as ambassador of the Arab  League in Madrid. One of his most outstanding interests, particularly during his service, as Jordan’s ambassador to Brazil, was encouraging Christian pilgrimage to Jordan’s Holy Land and river.

The year 2030 begins today… and Jordan is getting ready to welcome the world to the Land of Baptism.