This approach cannot be viewed in isolation from the well-established Hashemite legacy in the care of holy sites, primarily the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. This historical role is based on preserving the Islamic and Christian religious presence, and from this perspective, the care for the Baptism Site gains significance beyond the preservation of a globally important Christian religious site, to form an extension of the Hashemite commitment to protecting the religious heritage of the region.
In addition to its historical and religious dimensions, this interest is based on a clear constitutional basis; Article (14) of the Constitution not only affirmed the freedom to practice religious rites and beliefs but also obligated the state to protect them, entailing a positive obligation to create the necessary conditions for their practice, protect religious places, and respect their privacy. The constitutional legislator also enshrined the principle of equality in Article (6), which states that Jordanians are equal before the law, with no discrimination among them in rights and duties, even if they differ in race, language, or religion.
Christians in Jordan form an integral part of Jordanian society and partners in its identity and state journey. Since the establishment of the state, they have contributed to building its institutions and have had an active presence in political, economic, social, and cultural life. Therefore, preserving the Christian presence and pride in it reflects the nature of the Jordanian state and its national inclusive identity.
The importance of the Baptism Site does not stop at its religious and national dimensions but also carries an important international dimension. It is not just an archaeological site or a tourist destination but a site linked to the history and religious memory of Christianity. UNESCO listed it in 2015 on the World Heritage List, confirming its exceptional global value and status as the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, enhancing its presence on the global Christian pilgrimage map.
The significance of this international recognition increases in establishing the Baptism Site on the eastern bank of the Jordan River as the historical site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, in the face of attempts to link the Baptism to the other bank. The issue goes beyond promoting a Jordanian religious site to affirming a historical fact based on archaeological evidence, international recognition, and the site's status among Christian churches. Therefore, developing the Baptism Site and enhancing its global presence contribute to protecting the historical narrative and consolidating Jordan's position in Christian religious geography.
This international status is inseparable from the message Jordan presents to the world that Christianity is not just a part of the region's history but an integral component of Jordan's present and national identity. Jordan is a homeland of peace, security, and respect for religious pluralism, and the relationship between Muslims and Christians is not based on majority and minority logic but on citizenship and partnership in building the state. The conflicts, sectarian divisions, and decline of Christian presence witnessed by some countries in the region do not find a conducive environment in Jordan, which has maintained the unity of its national fabric and cohesion in various circumstances.
Therefore, the preparation for the second millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 goes beyond celebrating a global religious occasion to represent an opportunity to affirm the historical, religious, and international status of the Jordanian Baptism Site, establish it globally as the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, highlight the Hashemite legacy in caring for Islamic and Christian holy sites, and present a message to the world that the Christian presence is an integral part of Jordan's national and constitutional identity, and that protecting religious pluralism and safeguarding holy sites is a well-established approach in the Jordanian state's journey.
* Professor of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Jordan
