Opinion: The “Jordan Dawn of Christianity exhibition” a manifestation of harmony and common living

In the Holy Land of Jordan, where the echoes and memories of prophets and saints continue to reverberate, a sanctuary has witnessed the unfolding of Christianity at the early times. It is the “Jordan Dawn of Christianity” exhibition, being held at Palazzo Della Cancelleria in Rome on January 31-February 28, 2025, which showcases Jordan’s Christian heritage.

This extraordinary exhibition, held by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, and  the Holy See commemorates the 30^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Jordan and the Holy See, as well as coincides with the Holy Jubilee Year titled, Pilgrimage of Hope” and the 60^th anniversary of Pope Paul VI to  Jordan in 1964.

It is important to note that during the launching of the exhibition, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader said: “We are proud to have this exhibition whereby everyone who comes to it as a pilgrim is actually a pilgrim in the history engulfed  with holiness, good impressions, and deep-rooted values ​​in the Jordan of pride and glory.” He added that the exhibition also addresses the enlightened Hashemite era, in which the highest signs and impressions of convergence, harmony, and religious dialogue are manifested especially in the prevailing common living between Christians and Muslims in Jordan.

Furthermore, it is of prime importance to quote His Majesty King Abdullah during the ceremony of receiving the Lamp of Peace Award of Assisi on March 29, 2019 when he said, “Our country is home to an historic Christian community. All our citizens actively share in building our strong nation. And indeed, Christians have been part of Middle East societies for thousands of years and are vital to the future of our region.”

While the exhibition poses Jordan’s pivotal role in the history of Christianity, the antiquities on display trace the evolution of Christianity from the Baptism of Lord Jesus into the present time. The exhibition serves as a message of peace, hope, common living and on top of all social harmony dispatched from the Holy Land of Jordan to the entire world.

It is really important to note that the “Jordan Dawn of Christianity” exhibition coincides with the World Interfaith Harmony Week which was proposed in the first place by His Majesty King Abdullah II at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 and unanimously adopted on October 20, 2010. This week, is based on “the Common Word Initiative” which “calls for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious commandments, namely love of God and love of the neighbor without nevertheless compromising any of their own tenets.”

With the “Jordan Dawn of Christianity” exhibition coinciding with the World Interfaith Harmony Week, it is important to note that Jordan will always remain a panacea to the pains and afflictions inflicting the peoples of the region, and a source of inspiration indicating that the prevailing  social harmony in Jordan should always serve as a model to be emulated by all countries suffering from violence and wars, whereby harmony is the cornerstone of ensuring societal  peace leading to prosperity and progress.

May the Almighty God protect Jordan, under its wise Hashemite leadership, as a beacon inspiring the establishment of peace and brotherly relations based on harmony.