Religious Tourism

Jordan is a distinct destination for cultural and religious enrichment. There are many holy places spread across Jordan. Five sites were recognised as Christian pilgrimage sites by the Vatican in the year 2000, including the Baptism site of Jesus Christ at Bethany Beyond the Jordan in the Jordan Valley. It is among the most popular religious sites in Jordan. The other Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan are Mukawir, Tall Mar Elia and Anjara.  

Mount Nebo, in the city of Madaba south-west of Amman, is another pilgrimage venue. It is where Moses stood and viewed the Holy Land that he would never enter.

The city of Al-Salt, 20 kilometres northwest of Amman, has shrines of Jacob’s sons Jad and Asher, as well as the shrine of Jethro (father-in-law of Moses).

Other religious sites include the shrines of several of Prophet Muhammad’s companions like Ja`far bin Abi Talib, Zaid ibn Haritha, Abu Ubaidah Amer bin Al Jarrah, Sharhabeel bin Hasanah, Bilal ibn Rabah, Abdul Rahman ibn Auf and Muaz ibn Jabal, who were buried in different parts of Jordan.

Jordan was also the site of a number of important battles in Islamic history, including the battle of Mutah (south of Jordan) and the battle of Yarmouk (north of Jordan).

Among many other sites, The Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Kahf Al-Raqim), which is mentioned in the holy Quran, is a 10-minute drive east of Amman in the town of Al Rajib.