Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Makram Al Qaisi, met yesterday with the Director of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission, Jacob Bam.

Minister Al Qaissi discussed ways of cooperation in increasing the number of tourists coming from Nigeria, for the purpose of religious tourism, stressing that Jordan is a land of holiness and one of most important and prominent religious tourism destinations in the world, due to its religious and cultural diversity, and the values of tolerance and coexistence.

Al Qaissi reviewed what the Kingdom has done in preserving the cultural heritage of various successive civilizations that have passed through history.

He stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to develop relations with African countries, pointing out that religious tourism, both Islamic and Christian, frames and helps strengthen relations, bring peoples closer to each other, and contribute to the knowledge and exchange of cultures.

Qaisi said that the Christian pilgrimage sites (Al Maghtas, Nebo, Mar Elias Church, Our lady of the Mountain Church, Makawer) and other archeological sites as well are important sites for Christian pilgrims.

For his part, the Director of the NCPC Jacob Bam, indicated that the Commission is working to transport Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, stressing the important of Jordan as a major destination for Christian religious pilgrimage.

“We have received all the support and respect since we started running pilgrimages mission to Jordan since 2021, extending his thanks to the ministry and other concerned authorities for the efforts and arrangements in receiving Nigerian pilgrims who felt safe throughout their stay in the Kingdom,” he said.

Yakub Bam stressed the strong relationship between the two friendly countries, and between his Majesty King Abdullah II and the Nigerian president, noting that the choice of Jordan as a destination for Pilgrimage came because of the Kingdom’s values of tolerance and coexistence.

He pointed to the importance of joint cooperation in training agricultural projects for young people, as well as the possibility of promoting medical and religious tourism.

© Al Arai Newspaper

Minister of Tourism: Jordan is the land of holiness | Al Rai Newspaper