Amman, Sept. 17 (Petra) - Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) coordination committee member MP Wasfi Haddad met in Egypt on Thursday with Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and all Africa.

The meetings focused on joint Jordanian-Egyptian efforts to protect Christian heritage, safeguard holy sites, and boost cross-border religious and cultural tourism.

Both sides called for using their shared spiritual history to foster interfaith dialogue and peace.

Speaking at the discussions, Haddad showcased Jordan’s spiritual heritage, pointing to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ. He voiced the "deep" connections between Jordan's Baptism Site and Egypt's Holy Family Trail, noting their potential to elevate both on the global religious tourism map.

Haddad also outlined the Kingdom's preparations to mark the bimillennial anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site in 2030, calling for international participation to highlight the location's global spiritual significance.

He also stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship in protecting Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites and preserving the city's historical and legal identity.

Patriarch Theodore II, for his part, pointed to the shared spiritual legacy of Jordan and Egypt, noting that their holy sites serve as "vital bridges" for interreligious harmony.

The IAO delegation’s visit to Egypt also included high-level talks with religious and parliamentary leaders and field visits along the Holy Family Trail.

//Petra// HA