Reception Held in Honor of Participants of 15th Summer Camp Benefiting Children from Jerusalem

Casablanca, August 10, 2024.
A reception was held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca in honor of the children of Jerusalem participating in the 15th edition of the summer camp for Jerusalemite children, organized from August 9 to 26 under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee.
This edition, organized by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, includes the participation of 50 boys and girls from Jerusalem, accompanied by five supervisors.
This year’s events, named after “Yacoub Al-Mansour Al-Mouahidi,” will be held across several cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, M’diq, and Chefchaouen.
In his speech on the occasion, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the director running the BMAQ Agency, emphasized that “this edition, like its predecessors, is held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.
This underscores the Kingdom of Morocco’s profound commitment to supporting all segments of the Palestinian people, with a special focus on the younger generation, particularly the younger generations who will bear the responsibility of building society, preserving its identity, culture, history, and civilization.”
Mr. Cherkaoui stated that “His Majesty chose to name this session after ‘Yacoub al-Mansour al-Muwahhid,’ one of the most prominent sultans of the Almohad dynasty that ruled Morocco in the 12th century,” recalling that this sultan “is renowned for his role in supporting the leader Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi with a naval fleet of hundreds of soldiers, contributing bravely and resolutely to the conquest of Acre and subsequently Jerusalem.”
He further noted that “This connection highlights the deep bond between the people of Morocco and their counterparts in the Levant and Palestine, especially in Jerusalem. In this city, the blood of those who fought for justice and upheld its banners mingled in a historic struggle. Generations of Moroccans have since played a crucial role in enriching the city’s social fabric, a legacy that endures to this day.”
In turn, the Ambassador of Palestine to the Kingdom of Morocco, Jamal Al-Shoubaki, expressed his delight in welcoming these children to their second homeland, Morocco. He emphasized that this warm reception is a testament to the deep and enduring bond between Morocco and Jerusalem.
He noted that “each year, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency organizes this initiative under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The program ,which is comprehensive and diverse, features a range of cultural, educational, and recreational activities, along with visits to several Moroccan cities.”
He further stated, “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency and offer our deepest gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. His unwavering support for Jerusalem, the humanitarian aid extended to the people of Gaza, and the Kingdom’s active role in seeking to end aggression against the Palestinian people and promote a two-state solution are deeply valued.”
For his part, Mohamed Mehdi Bennsaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, highlighted that “this session builds upon the remarkable success of previous ones and underscores the profound significance that His Majesty King Mohammed VI places on Jerusalem and the Palestinian people, particularly the children of Jerusalem.”
In a speech delivered on his behalf, the minister commended the organizers for selecting the theme of this session, “Children and Digital Technology: The Boundaries Between Entertainment and Education.” He emphasized that “the theme is well-suited to current technological advancements and seeks to steer the participating children toward the most effective and beneficial use of technology.”
Several of the children taking part in this summer camp expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the chance to experience the culture of their “second homeland,” Morocco, up close. They shared their joy and enthusiasm about being part of this year’s session.
The reception event was marked by the Jerusalemite children performing both the Moroccan and Palestinian national anthems.
It is noteworthy that the 2024 edition of this summer camp for children from Jerusalem will kick off on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Tangier. The camp will feature interactive workshops on the topic “Children and Digital Technology: The Boundaries Between Entertainment and Education,” conducted by experts from the Agency for Digital Development (ADD). Following the workshops, the program will include various artistic and sports competitions, organized in collaboration with the youth and culture sectors, as well as the sports and tourism sectors.
The program also includes educational excursions to various historical sites in Rabat and northern cities of Morocco. Additionally, it features intercultural exchanges where the Jerusalemite children have the opportunity to meet and interact with their Moroccan counterparts who are participating in summer camps held concurrently at the Diplomatic Forest in Tangier.