Free Days Forum and sign partnership agreement in education and training
Ramallah, March 28 2023
Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif, an offshoot of Al Quds Committee, and Al Quds University signed on Tuesday in Ramallah an agreement to develop the Bayt Mal education and training system in professions associated with psychological specialists, to take care of persons suffering from psychological troubles, environment, ecosystem, waste recycling and electronic marketing of items for merchants and associations.
The agreement, signed by the Agency acting director, Dr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, and the university president, Dr. Imad Abu Kishk, on the sidelines of the free days forum co-organized by the two institutions as part of the Agency silver jubilee, marked under the aegis of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al Quds committee.
The Agency acting director noted that thanks to the direct supervision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the blessing of His Excellence President Mahmoud Abbas, the Agency has become a leading reference as far as action in Al Quds is concerned, owing to the experience and expertise it has accumulated as well as its keenness to adopt the appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the donations for the projects reach those who deserve them.
He pointed out that the Agency does no collect any fees from the donations as its operating expenses are entirely paid for by the Kingdom of Morocco, up to 1.5 million dollars annually, which also earmarks another budget of 3,4 to 4 million dollars for projects, provided 100% of state contributions and around 70% of donations by individuals and institutions.
Echarkaoui further surveyed a series of field projects carried out by the Agency in such sectors as construction and renovation of 14 schools, equipping 6 units in all Al Quds major hospitals, purchasing land plots that it reserved for the Waqf department and the education and training directorate, revamping 5 mosques in the old city, the Moroccan Zawyia, in addition to financing 25 projects for women associations, equipping 8 cultural and social clubs, rehabilitating two stadiums (Sour Bahr and Salouane stadiums) that were fitted with artificial grass, and equipping 24 sports clubs.
He added that under the instructions of His Majesty, the Agency supervised the reconstruction of the Hassan II faculty of environmental and agricultural sciences, of Al Azhar University, in Bayt Hanoune, for a total amount of 7 million US dollars, after it was entirely destroyed by the 2009 raid. Likewise, the Al Quds Hospital in Gaza was reconstructed thanks to funds provided by donations from the Moroccan people.
Echarkaoui who was speaking during the forum also pointed out that the Agency “is totally aware of the scope of challenges facing its actions in Al Quds. He said, in this context, “we appreciate the resistance of our Palestinian brothers and consider that it is our duty to endeavor to get support to those who deserve it, without conditions, respecting transparence and using secure means that preserve the rights of donors and funders to know how their contributions are spent”.
In the context of these hardships, he stated, we are endeavoring at the Agency to diversify funding sources, modernize our management for more quality and transparence and we promise to open shortly an office at the finance and business place in Casablanca. We will also strive, God willing, to activate the Agency representation in Ramallah so as to contribute to consolidating communication with the Palestinian official and community institutions dealing with Al Quds affairs.
On his part, Dr, Imad Abu Kushk, president of Al Quds University, praised the earnest efforts made by the Agency at the service of Al Quds, its development and consolidation of the resistance of its people. He added that the forum is held as the Agency is celebrating its silver jubilee as a token of recognition and appreciation for the accomplishments that have been achieved so far and are still being achieved by the Agency for Al Quds, its population and its cause, as it has contributed to the development process of all the sectors in Al Quds and in preserving the city’s historic and human legacy and civilization.
He also pointed out that launching the forum as a think tank to ponder on innovative and creative but realistic and feasible ways that are accepted by those in charge to find and propose alternative solutions to the development problems in the holy city.
On his part, the head of Al Quds division at the Palestine Liberation Organization, Adnane Al Husseini, underscored the importance of the role played by Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency in Al Quds and the assistance it extends to meet the needs of inhabitants in light of the hard living conditions in the holy city, insisting that Al Quds should not be forsaken and need more actions to preserve it.
Al Husseini also underlined the importance of mobilizing all the Ummah’s means to support the populations and institutions of Al Quds, endeavor to protect the city’s young people and provide them with support to help them confront the occupation plans, stressing the leading role of the forum in meeting the needs of Al Quds population and reinforce their resistance.
The Moroccan ambassador in Palestine, Abderrahim Meziane, noted that the economic and social resistance of Al Quds population illustrates the fact that stability in the Middle East region and in the world at large depends on security and stability in the city of Al Quds.
He also underscored that the Kingdom of Morocco’s support and organizing this forum reflect Morocco’s firm commitment toward the Palestinian cause and more particularly the cause of Al Quds to which His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him glory, pays utmost importance in his capacity as chairman of Al Quds committee, stemming from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, who elevated it to the same rank as our top national cause.
The Kingdom of Morocco has been endeavoring all along its 25 years of existence, through Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency, under the direct supervision of His Majesty, to support the resistance of Al Quds population, guarantee them conditions of dignity and alleviate the occupation hardships.
As he took the floor, the Mufti of Al Quds and the Palestinian territories, Sheikh Mohamed Hussain, praised the organizers of the Forum that will serve to back the resistance of Al Quds, its inhabitants and its institutions.
The Mufti also congratulated Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency on its silver Jubilee and expressed thanks for its support to sectors that are vital to Al Quds inhabitants, including the opening of Bayt Al Maghrib in the old part of the city as a move to preserve the history and civilization of the holy city.
On his part, Al Quds governor, Abdullah Siam, also hailed the role played by Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency, under the direct supervision of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, so that Al Quds remains present in the Kingdom institutions and in the minds of Moroccans.
He noted that the Agency’s ambitious plan is destined to alleviate the needs and challenges facing Al Quds and its population and deals with several vital sectors, namely health, education, young people and women.
In a speech on behalf of minister for Al Quds affairs, Fadi Al Hadmi, the secretary general of the ministry, Said Yaqeen, paid tribute to the Agency’s efforts and the Kingdom of Morocco’s role, via Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency that endeavors with transparence and credibility to support Al Quds population and reinforce their resistance.
The head of the high council for innovation and excellence, Adnan Samara, urged for supporting the population of Al Quds and the resisters, underlining the importance of communication with Arab brothers to preserve what remains of the city of Al Quds.
He also hoped that the Forum will adopt innovating and feasible proposals that serve Al Quds and its institutions.
Before the opening of the forum, an exhibition of photos of the Agency Silver Jubilee, including photos of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on various occasions of Al Quds Committee and the Agency meetings.
