Jordan begins preparations for 2000th anniversary of Jesus' baptism

Jordan has launched official preparations for the 2000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus, scheduled for 2030. The National Committee for the Preparations of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ held its first meeting on August 10, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.

The committee includes government ministers, religious leaders, and local community representatives. Following directives from King Abdullah II, the initiative aims to reinforce Jordan’s status as a global destination for Christian pilgrimage and a land of religious heritage.

Key infrastructure projects planned for the Al-Maghtas site, a UNESCO World Heritage site also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, include the construction of a museum dedicated to the baptism, a comprehensive village for pilgrims, a green corridor, and modernized local infrastructure. Israel has also established a working group to coordinate activities for the expected increase in regional pilgrimage traffic.