Al-Maghtas, Jan. 9 (Petra)-- Wajdi Al-Nuaimat and Randa Hatamleh - Thousands of Christian pilgrims on Friday marked the 26th annual Catholic pilgrimage at the Baptism Site on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, widely recognized by churches and Christian traditions as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. The site is considered one of the holiest Christian locations in the world.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the Christian message to the world was launched from Jordan. He stressed that the Kingdom has historically served as the first safe haven for Christians and continues to protect their holy sites and embrace their places of worship with respect and responsibility.

Hijazin noted that the Baptism Site vividly embodies Jordan’s values of coexistence and religious tolerance, reflecting the Kingdom’s pivotal role in preserving and promoting humanity’s shared religious heritage.

For his part, Director General of the Baptism Site Commission Eng. Rustem Mkhjian said the site is globally unique in its spiritual and human significance, as it encompasses within its historical boundaries the presence of five prophets: Joshua bin Nun, Prophet Elijah, Prophet Elisha, John the Baptist (Yahya bin Zakariya), and Jesus Christ, peace be upon them all. This, he said, grants the site an unparalleled religious distinction unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Mkhjian explained that one of the most profound messages of the Baptism Site is that it has been protected and preserved throughout history by Muslims, offering a living example of coexistence and respect for religious sanctities. This humanitarian dimension, he added, forms a cornerstone of the site’s moral and symbolic value.

He noted that the site was discovered in 1995, when landmines were found in the area. These were subsequently cleared to secure the location and prepare it to receive pilgrims safely.

Mkhjian added that the Board of Trustees of the Baptism Site was established in 1999 under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, tasked with safeguarding and managing the site in a manner that preserves its sanctity and historical authenticity.

He pointed out that the site includes the place of Christ’s baptism as referenced in biblical texts and is supported by archaeological evidence consistent with the map of the Holy Land documented in the Church of St. George in Madaba (the Madaba Mosaic Map).

He further noted that the messages of the Baptism Site clearly intersect with the principles of the Amman Message, the "A Common Word" initiative, and global calls for interfaith harmony. The site has become a spiritual and humanitarian platform for building bridges of love and peace among followers of different religions, reinforcing Jordan’s standing as a land of religious dialogue.

Meanwhile, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media Father Rifaat Bader emphasized that pilgrimage to the Baptism Site carries profound spiritual significance for Christians worldwide, while also embodying Jordan’s message of respect for religious diversity and protection of holy places.

He said that Jordan’s stewardship of this sacred site, managed with openness and responsibility, sends a clear message to the world that faith can serve as a bridge for unity rather than a cause for division.

With its rich history, deep faith, and powerful humanitarian messages, the Baptism Site continues to stand as a living testament that Jordan has long been and remains a land of divine messages, peace, religious harmony, and a spiritual destination for pilgrims from around the world.

//Petra// MF