Petra’s Al Khazneh lit blue to mark World Cancer Day

AMMAN — On Tuesday, Petra’s Al Khazneh archaeological temple was lit blue to mark World Cancer Day, which falls annually on February 4. 

The event was organised by the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, according to a PDTRA statement. 

During the lighting event, HH Princess Dina Mired, president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), said that many countries of the world are lighting landmarks with blue and orange, and that Jordan is in the forefront of these countries through its lighting of Al Khazneh. 

The princess described Petra as a “prestigious city” and “the City of Challenge that still exists with great defiance of the forces of nature and the violations of the present humanity”.

Petra, she noted, has a great impact in sending a message of hope and determination  “to every cancer patient in the world, a message that says  that we are all with you and will fight for you every day so that cancer becomes just a memory”, according to the statement.

For her part, Minister of Tourism Majd Shweikeh said that Jordan’s participation in this campaign comes within the framework of the Kingdom’s attention to combatting cancer and strengthening the role of communities in supporting patients.

 She added that the event will also help in global tourism promotion for Petra.

Also during the event, PDTRA Chief Commissioner Suleiman Farajat pointed to PDTRA’s support for such campaigns, which significantly contribute to the promotion of the city.

The statement added that every year, more than 13,000 buildings and monuments around the world are lit on various occasions.

World Cancer Day is an annual demonstration organised by the UICC to raise global awareness on the risks of cancer, through promoting prevention and methods of early detection and treatment of the disease, the statement said.