Building on growing interest across the Arab world, Jordan recently hosted the official local launch of the Arabic-dubbed version of The Chosen, welcoming the series to Amman with public screenings and appearances by actors, producers and church leaders from across the region.
The launch unfolded over two days. On Jan. 19, church leaders and Christian media representatives were invited to a private gathering with American actors Kirk Waller and Shane Sharma, who spoke about their roles in the series. Producer Stan Gantz and Mark McKean, CEO of Come and See, also took part, answering questions ahead of the public release. The following day featured a large public event marking the official launch of the Arabic-dubbed version of the series.
Grace Abu Daher, a Lebanese-Jordanian pianist, played a central role in making the launch possible. With years of experience in the media and music industries, she drew on her connections in both countries to help bring the Arabic-dubbed version of The Chosen to Jordan.
“During my visits to Lebanon last summer, I discovered that the Lighthouse Arab World was dubbing The Chosen into Arabic and had already carried out launches in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates,” she said.
She said she raised the idea informally with Lighthouse Director Johnny Jalek by asking when it will be Jordan’s turn to host a launch. The question helped initiate discussions about bringing the series’ classical Arabic dub to the country, which holds a pivotal place in the story of Jesus.
Abu Daher began searching for a local sponsor and turned to a Catholic priest whose church she had performed at many times.
“I spoke with Father Rifat Bader about the possibility of launching it in Jordan. He was very enthusiastic about the idea. With the backing of the Catholic Media Center and the patronage of Princess Rym Ali, the launch gained significant momentum, culminating in an event attended by 350 people,” she said.
Father Rifat Bader, director general of the Catholic Center for Media and Studies, addressed the gathering, highlighting the symbolic significance of Jordan hosting the launch. He noted that many events recounted in the Bible took place on Jordanian soil and that from the waters of the Jordan River — where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist — Christ’s public ministry began, describing Jordan as the dawn of Christianity.
Bader said Jordanians, as well as visiting pilgrims and guests, take pride in their country for two main reasons: its status as a historically sacred land encompassing numerous pilgrimage sites, and its reputation as a place of harmony, security and stability.
He also emphasized that The Chosen, now translated and dubbed into more than 140 languages, is more than a television production, describing it as a sophisticated and humane media message. He said the series affirms the potential of media to be constructive rather than destructive, unifying rather than divisive, and to uphold human dignity, with Jesus Christ portrayed as the embodiment of encounter, love, forgiveness and human brotherhood.
The visiting team said they were honored to be in Jordan, where they took part in the launch, met with Minister of Tourism Imad Hijazeen, and worked with the Jordan Tourism Board to visit key biblical sites, including the Baptism Site and Mount Nebo. They also praised their partnership with the Jordanian Catholic Center and the warm hospitality they experienced throughout their visit.
First released in 2019, The Chosen is an American Christian historical drama created, directed and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. The series is the first multi-season television production to focus on the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, portraying the Gospel story largely through the eyes of those who encountered him — including his disciples, religious leaders, Roman officials and ordinary people living in first-century Judaea and Galilee. Starring Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, the series has grown into a global phenomenon, with five seasons released to date and plans for seven seasons in total.
Christian Daily International spoke with several attendees following the launch, many of whom praised both the quality and significance of the Arabic dub.
Rev. Botrus Mansour, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, described the production as being at “a high and beautiful level,” calling it “the most beautiful story that has been told on earth, the story of the Lord Jesus,” and welcoming its presentation in Arabic with such care and excellence.
Rev. Dr. Nabeeh Abbasi, president of the Baptist Convention in Jordan, said the series offers “a unique and encouraging experience,” presenting a deeply human portrait of Jesus and his disciples in a contemporary and relatable artistic style while maintaining fidelity to the biblical text and its spiritual depth.
Imad Shehadeh, president of the Jordanian Institute for Theological Studies, described The Chosen as a work of “high, professional, and sophisticated standard, deserving of all respect and appreciation.”
Rev. Dr. Jack Sara of Bethlehem Bible College said the Arabic dubbing opens new horizons for believers across the Middle East and noted that the Jordan launch brought together Christian denominations from Palestine and Lebanon.
Ruba Rihani, first vice president of the Women’s Baptist Federation International, said the strength of the series lies in how it presents Christ not merely as a historical figure or passing prophet, but as the one who came to change the course of humanity and history, adding that in the series Christ is shown as “the Word of God incarnate, present in suffering, confronting injustice.”
