Amman: Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President of ICOMOS Jordan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, on Sunday patronized a World Heritage Day event at Amman Applied University College. The event featured a seminar focusing on religious tourism and the documentation of its routes in Jordan, especially emphasizing internationally recognized Christian pilgrimage sites.
According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Dana remarked that World Heritage Day highlights the universal value of cultural heritage and its role in fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. She pointed out that Jordan exemplifies religious and cultural diversity and coexistence and serves as a significant destination on the global Christian pilgrimage map. Prominent sites highlighted included the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Mount Nebo, Tell Mar Elias, Mukawir, and the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain.
Princess Dana emphasized that documenting religious tourism routes goes beyond geographic and historical aspects, focusing on preserving their spiritual significance while reinforcing Jordan's role as a platform for interfaith dialogue and cultural convergence. She added that these efforts support local communities and contribute to sustainable development.
Dean of the college Ibrahim Kurdi stated that the seminar aligns with the institution's mission to advance tourism and cultural studies and raise awareness of the importance of religious and human heritage in Jordan. He noted that documenting Christian pilgrimage routes promotes religious and cultural tourism, supporting national efforts to preserve heritage sites and enhance their visibility both locally and internationally.
The seminar was attended by academic, religious, and national figures, alongside faculty members, students, and stakeholders in the tourism and heritage sectors. Participants engaged in discussions on advancing religious tourism, documenting historical and religious sites, and strengthening cooperation among academic, official, and research institutions to safeguard national heritage.