On behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad Hijazin patronized on Monday January 19, 2025 in Amman, the launching ceremony of the Arabic dubbed version of the global series "The Chosen". The event was organized by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in cooperation with the Lighthouse Arab World Foundation. In attendance were a delegation from the production team representing the U.S.-based “Come and See” Foundation. 

The ceremony was also attended by Lebanese Minister of Information Paul Morcos, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Petra Tourism Development Region Authority Dr. Fares Al-Brayzat, along with parliament members, ambassadors, priests, church representatives, media personnel, Regional Director of the Pontifical Mission Ra'ed Bahou, and Director of the Royal Institute for Inter-religious Studies Dr. Tagreed Odeh. The ceremony included artistic performances by soprano Zeina Barhoumeh and the Sacred Heart of Jesus choir accompanied by pianist Grace Abu Daher. Media specialist Rula Samain moderated the ceremony in cooperation with Haithan Ereife.

In his address, CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader, referred to the symbolic significance of the Holy Land of Jordan's hosting of this event. He noted that several events mentioned in the Holy Bible took place on Jordanian soil, and that from the waters of the Jordan River, where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, His mission began making Jordan as the dawn of Christianity in the world.

Fr. Bader expressed the pride of Jordanians, visitors, and pilgrims in two essential aspect, namely that Jordan is a historic and sacred land that hosts several religious pilgrimage sites, as well as  that it is a land of harmony, security, and stability under wise Hashemite leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Ibn Abdullah II.

He emphasized that the series being translated and dubbed at present into more than 140 languages is not merely a television production, but rather a sublime humanitarian media message, which  affirms media’s ability to serve as a constructive role rather than a destructive one, and which serves as a source of unity rather than schism while upholding human dignity as Lord Jesus Christ, who stands at the heart of this work, embodies the message of encounter, a message of love, forgiveness, and human fraternity.

Fr. Bader also quoted His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during a meeting two months ago with actors, filmmakers, and screenwriters, noting that cinema, despite its entertainment role, addresses humans searchng for a significance. He said that in today’s screen-saturated world, there is an urgent need for cinema that bears witness to hope, beauty, and truth. He continued that preserving the authenticity of the image and upholding human dignity is possible as when this indisusrty upholds its moral and human responsibilities.

"The Chosen" is considered one of the most prominent global drama series portraying the life of  Lord Jesus Christ from a humane and spiritual perspective, shedding light on His mission and interactions with His disciples and the people He encountered in daily life. The series has achieved remarkable global reach, with its  translated and dubbed into more than 100 languages, thus earning recognition from the Guinness World Records as the most translated television series for online streaming in history.

The ceremony included a screening of key scenes, notably the martyrdom of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod 2,000 years ago at the fortress of Machaerus, whose ruins are located in Jordan. Attendees also listened to remarks by producers and actors present at the event. Speakers included Dr. Imad Dabour, director of Lighthouse Arab World; American actors Kirk Woller and Shayan Sobhian who discussed their roles in "The Chosen", in addition to American producer Stan Jantzand Mark McCann, executive director of the Come and See Foundation.

The attendees expressed their pride in visiting Jordan, launching the series, and meeting the minister of tourism, in addition to cooperating with the Jordan Tourism Board to visit key sites such as the Baptism Site, and Mount Nebo. They also praised the partnership with the CCSM and the warm Jordanian hospitality they received everywhere they went.