Amman, April 20 (Petra) -- Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President of ICOMOS Jordan and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, on Sunday patronized a World Heritage Day event at Amman Applied University College.

The event featured a specialized seminar on religious tourism and the documentation of its routes in Jordan, with a focus on internationally recognized Christian pilgrimage sites.

In remarks during the seminar, Princess Dana said World Heritage Day underscores the universal value of cultural heritage and its role in fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. She noted that Jordan represents a model of religious and cultural diversity and coexistence, and serves as a key destination on the global Christian pilgrimage map.

She highlighted several prominent sites, including the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Mount Nebo, Tell Mar Elias, Mukawir, and the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain.

Princess Dana said that documenting religious tourism routes extends beyond geographic and historical dimensions to encompass the preservation of their spiritual significance, while reinforcing Jordan’s role as a platform for interfaith dialogue and cultural convergence. She added that such efforts also support local communities and contribute to sustainable development.

Dean of the college Ibrahim Kurdi said the seminar aligns with the institution’s academic mission to advance tourism and cultural studies, while raising awareness of the importance of religious and human heritage in Jordan.

He noted that documenting Christian pilgrimage routes contributes to promoting religious and cultural tourism and supports national efforts to preserve heritage sites and enhance their visibility at the local and international levels.

The seminar was attended by a number of academic, religious, and national figures, alongside faculty members, students, and stakeholders in the tourism and heritage sectors.

Participants engaged in discussions on advancing religious tourism, documenting historical and religious sites, and strengthening cooperation among academic, official, and research institutions to safeguard national heritage.

//Petra// AJ