By Rula Samain
Anovia, Amman – In a high-profile international media event, the Arabic version of the global series The Chosen, one of the most successful historical–spiritual drama productions worldwide, was officially launched on Monday.
The event was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, represented by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, and attended by a wide diplomatic, religious, and media audience from Jordan and abroad.
“The Chosen” presents a historical narrative inspired by the Holy Bible, shedding light on the life of Jesus Christ and the figures who surrounded Him.
The ceremony was organized in partnership with Lighthouse Arab World a media institution dedicated to presenting the Holy Bible through art, cinema, and media, and the producing company Come and See.
Emad Dabour, Lighthouse CEO, told Anovia that the institution, headquartered in Beirut with offices in Cairo, Tunis, and Los Angeles, California, is among the Arab media institutions that carry a clear cultural and humanitarian mission.
He noted that Lighthouse Arab World “focuses on building bridges of social and cultural communication and creating spaces that enable people, regardless of their backgrounds, to understand one another and come together around shared values of love and humanity.”
Emad Dabour, who is also the linguistic reviewer of the series, explained that Lighthouse Arab World operates in translation, dubbing, and media communication into Arabic, in cooperation with Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, as well as other Arab and international institutions.
He added that the company supervised the coordination of joint efforts to launch the Arabic version of the globally renowned series in Jordan.
“We are honored to meet the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in Jordan, a beautiful country whose deep civilizational and cultural roots many may not fully realize,” Dabour said, and added “Jordan historically contributed to the formation of the Arabic script, and today it stands out for its beauty, security, and stability, values felt by everyone who visits.”
He continued “Jordan has succeeded in achieving a qualitative leap in the living standards of its people and in presenting itself as a message of peace and love in a region burdened by conflict and hatred.”
Concluding his remarks, he thanked Jordan “the land of civilization and peace, for this embrace and for this advanced humanitarian and cultural role.”
The Catholic Center for Studies and Media played a central role as the primary partner of the event.
Father Rifat Bader, the Center director, said the Center participated in the event in cooperation with the American production company Come and See Foundation and Lighthouse Arab World in Lebanon, which produced the third Arabic dubbed version of the series.
He told Anovia: “This release follows two previous Arabic versions in Egyptian and Syrian dialects. Today, for the first time, the series is launched in Modern Standard Arabic, a source of pride for us in Jordan and a highly significant cultural and media step.”
Father Bader added that “the symbolic value of this event is heightened by the fact that Jordan is not merely a host country, but the main stage on which pivotal events of the story portrayed in the series took place.
“The life of Jesus Christ, as narrated in the series, is intrinsically connected to this land: here He lived, here He was baptized, while He was born in Bethlehem and suffered and rose in Jerusalem. Thus, we are proud that the Modern Standard Arabic version of ‘The Chosen’ is launched in Jordan, the country that embraced these historical and spiritual events and continues to carry their message to the world today.”
The Come and See Foundation is the producing entity behind The Chosen, overseeing its production, translation, and worldwide distribution, enabling the series to reach diverse audiences across different languages and cultural contexts.
The ceremony was attended by its Global Ambassador, writer and author Stan Jantz, best known for his internationally bestselling book God Is in the Small Details.
Actor Shan Sharma, who portrays “Shmuel,” an educated and devout religious scholar on a turbulent journey in search of truth, was also present, along with actor Kirk Woller, who plays “Gaius,” the Roman commander embodying a profound human struggle between authority and conscience; through his encounters with Jesus Christ, the character undergoes a gradual transformation marked by humility, compassion, and the pursuit of truth.
Woller told Anovia on the sideline of the event that he “being in the Arab world in general is a unique experience, but being here in Jordan has a special resonance.”
He added that “travel always carries an element of surprise, but what I found here (in Jordan) exceeded all expectations; Jordanians are truly wonderful: warm, kind, and hospitable, just like their country. I visited Petra a few days ago, and it was an incredibly moving experience. I felt a deep emotion in the presence of such extraordinary beauty. When I return home, I will tell everyone to come to Jordan. I have loved this country that much.”
Sharma, on the other hand, said he was “happy to be in beautiful Jordan,” expressing deep appreciation for the hospitality he experienced from the moment of his arrival, whether from the Jordanian people or the hosting entities.
The actor added that the delegation had the opportunity to meet government officials, religious leaders, and prominent local figures, describing everyone as welcoming, open, and gracious.
He noted that the capital appeared to him “beautiful in every detail,” and that he had the chance to explore several of its landmarks, pointing to his stay at Royal Hotel Amman, which he described as enjoying a distinguished location and panoramic views.
“I feel deeply grateful to be here, and sincerely thankful to everyone who contributed to the success of this visit and the organization of this event.”
The event also featured an artistic program that included an operatic performance by internationally acclaimed soprano and Grand Prix Award-Winning Zeina Barhoum,, and the performance by the Sacred Heart Choir, the oldest choir in Jordan, both accompanied on piano by professional musician Grace Abu Daher.
It is worth noting that Anovia CEO was the master of the ceremony.
“The Chosen” is regarded as one of the most prominent contemporary global drama productions, having achieved wide international reach, granted multiple awards, and been watched by hundreds of millions worldwide. It has been translated and dubbed into dozens of languages, making it a cross-border cultural and media phenomenon.
*Founder and CEO of Anovia Magazine, writer specialized in Interfaith dialogues Peace and Reconciliation
