BY MOYINOLUWA BAMIDELE-LUCAS
No fewer than 300 Nigerians have safely arrived in Amman, the capital of Jordan for the 2022 pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
The pilgrims arrived in Amman at the early hours of Saturday for a nine-day pilgrimage to historical sites of the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.
The pilgrims were sponsored to the Holy Land by the Governor of Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
On the first day of visit, the pilgrims were conducted round the historic site of the Citadel that is located on a hill in Amman’s downtown area.
The Citadel is home to the remains and incredible creations of past civilizations that occupied Jordan’s capital city.
At the site, the pilgrims explore the remains of the Temple of Hercules which was built by the Romans as well as buildings that formed part of the Umayyad Palace and ruins of a sixth century Byzantine church.
One of the tour guides, Red’ Ar, said that during the Iron Age, the present day Amman was known as “Rabbath-Ammon” and it was the capital city of the ancient Ammonite people.
Ar told the pilgrims that the Bible has no expiration date and the promises of God never expire.
He also led the pilgrims to sight the 5,000 capacity Roman Theatre where the Romans used to gather to give offerings to God.
The pilgrims were also allowed into Jordan’s Archaeological Museum to sight historical images and artifacts.
Before departing Enugu on Friday, Ugwuanyi urged the pilgrims to be of good conduct in the Holy Land and not to abscond from the city of Jordan.
One of the pilgrims, Anselem Ekpungu, said that the visit has afforded him the opportunity to see the sites and happenings that were recorded in the Bible.
He thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for the sponsorship, praying for God to sustain him as he continues to sponsor more pilgrims to the Holy Land.
