Amman, Sept. 17 (Petra) – Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy
(IAO) coordination committee member MP Wasfi Haddad met in Egypt on
Thursday with Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church Tawadros II of
Alexandria and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and all Africa.

The meetings focused on joint Jordanian-Egyptian efforts to protect
Christian heritage, safeguard holy sites, and boost cross-border
religious and cultural tourism.

Both sides called for using their shared spiritual history to foster
interfaith dialogue and peace.

Talking at the discussions, Haddad showcased Jordan’s spiritual
heritage, pointing to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Baptism Site of
Jesus Christ. He voiced the “deep” connections between Jordan’s
Baptism Site and Egypt’s Holy Family Trail, noting their potential to
elevate both on the global religious tourism map.

Haddad also outlined the Kingdom’s preparations to mark the
bimillennial anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ at the Baptism
Site in 2030, calling for international participation to highlight
the location’s global spiritual significance.

He also stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship in
protecting Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites and
preserving the city’s historical and legal identity.

Patriarch Theodore II, for his part, pointed to the shared spiritual
legacy of Jordan and Egypt, noting that their holy sites serve as
“vital bridges” for interreligious harmony.

The IAO delegation’s visit to Egypt also included high-level talks
with religious and parliamentary leaders and field visits along the
Holy Family Trail.

//Petra// HA