Ajloun, September 30 (Petra) – Ali Freihat: The Ajloun governorate hosts several archaeological sites featuring unique mosaic panels, most notably the Church of Mar Elias and several historic monasteries, according to Akram Al-Atoum, Director of Ajloun Antiquities. He pointed out that these sites contain rare religious and natural symbols intricately engraved on mosaic stones.

The mosaics in Ajloun are among the most prominent features of the cultural and artistic heritage that reflects the region’s identity, forming an important tourist element that contributes to enhancing heritage tourism and investing local heritage for future generations.

Al-Atoum stated that the Directorate of Antiquities continuously works on maintaining and restoring these mosaics to preserve their historical and artistic value and ensure their sustainability as a cultural legacy for coming generations.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Al-Shreideh, President of the Wahadneh Museum of Folklore Association, confirmed that mosaics are an essential part of Ajloun’s cultural identity, emphasizing that their preservation and tourism investment represent a national priority.

Mohammad Al-Khattabeh, a member of the “Environment Unites Us” initiative, warned of the risk of damage to these archaeological treasures if collective efforts to preserve them are absent, stressing that maintaining the mosaics is a shared responsibility with the help of the local community.

Tourism activist Osama Al-Qudah described the Ajloun mosaics as a major attraction for heritage tourism, calling for the development of well-planned tourism programs that raise awareness of the importance of this heritage and contribute to supporting the local economy.

He highlighted the importance of integrating mosaics into tourist and educational routes, which would increase visitor attraction and make Ajloun a prominent heritage destination on Jordan’s tourism map.

–(Petra)