Lower House approves draft law of 2021 for development of land adjacent to Baptism Site

By JT - Aug 31,2021 - Last updated at Aug 31,2021

The dome of a church is seen from the banks of the Jordan River (left) and a view of the Baptism Site on the eastern side of the Jordan River, some 40km west of Amman (Photos by Amjad Ghsoun)

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday approved the 2021 draft law for the development of the land adjacent to the Baptism Site, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ in Jordan, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, holds great significance for all Abrahamic faiths given it was where Jesus Christ was believed baptised by John the Baptist.

The bill stipulated that a not-for-profit organisation will be established in Amman to oversee the development of the land adjacent to the Baptism Site in the Northern Shouneh’s Ghor Kafrein region.

The ownership of land parcel number 755 in the Kafrein Valley, owned by the Jordan Valley Authority, will be transferred to the organisation.

The organisation will be supervised by a board of trustees consisting of a chairman and at least seven members, appointed by a Royal Decree. The organisation will be exempt from all taxes, fees, governmental and municipal revenues.

The draft law is meant to develop the land adjacent to the Baptism Site to become one of the world’s top religious and historical attractions.

This will support religious tourism in the Kingdom and empower local communities, Petra reported.

Rate