Rabat, October 26, 2024
Today in Rabat, a welcoming ceremony was held for eight Palestinian students from the King Hassan II College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Gaza. Out of eleven applicants from the Gaza Strip, these students were selected as guest students at the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Rabat, where they will specialize in veterinary medicine and animal production.
The event included the presentation of enrollment certificates to the students from Gaza attending the institute. Among those present were a delegation from the Palestinian National Popular Conference for Jerusalem (NPCJ) , led by Secretary General Bilal Al-Natsheh, the institute’s director and staff, ambassadors from several Arab nations accredited in Morocco, representatives from the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), and a group of students who warmly welcomed their Palestinian peers.
In a welcoming speech at the event, Abdel Aziz El Hraiki, Director of the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Rabat, explained that this initiative is part of a partnership agreement signed between the institute, the BMAQ Agency, and Al-Azhar University in Gaza, aimed at enhancing academic exchange between Moroccan institutions and their Palestinian counterparts.
El Hraiki affirmed the institute’s commitment to providing Palestinian students with the same resources available to Moroccan students, underscoring Morocco’s ongoing solidarity under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, with the Palestinian people and their just causes.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed Al-Bouari, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Moroccan and Palestinian educational institutions.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Bilal Hajjouji, Director of Agricultural Education, Training, and Research at the ministry, the minister stated that this initiative is part of the strong relations between Morocco and Palestine. One manifestation of this bond is His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s chairmanship of the Al-Quds Committee, which symbolizes the ongoing commitment and solidarity with Palestine.
The Minister noted the inspiring determination of Palestinian students to pursue education despite the difficult conditions in their homeland, a commitment Morocco honors with additional scholarships, further affirming its solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian students, in turn, expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for the opportunity to continue their studies there.
Mohieddin Shehata, a veterinary student, stated that returning to education after a year-long hiatus due to the war in Gaza “revived our hope and optimism for pursuing our educational path. We felt support, care, and a warm welcome from all Moroccans,” emphasizing that “Morocco’s support is a great help to us.”
In a related statement, Batoul Muhammad Issa Ali, a veterinary medicine student at Al-Azhar University, expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco, the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, and the BMAQ Agency. She thanked them for the opportunity given to her and her fellow students to continue their studies in Morocco after disruptions in Gaza due to war and difficult conditions. She also recognized their support in helping them overcome obstacles and resume their academic paths.
The event included a ceremony to renew the cooperation agreement between the NPCJ and BMAQ, focusing on culture, publishing, and activities aimed at strengthening national identity and the Palestinian narrative.
Under the agreement, signed by the Congress’s Secretary General, General Bilal Al-Natsheh, and the Agency’s acting director, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the Agency will fund 200 scholarships annually for Palestinian students from Jerusalem studying at Al-Quds Open University and Al-Asriyya College.
On this occasion, Bilal Al-Natsheh commended Morocco’s unwavering support for Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause across various domain, affirming that the Congress will continue to work closely with the BMAQ Agency, under the Al-Quds Committee under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who advocates for the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in international and regional forums.
Al-Natsheh emphasized ongoing cooperation with all sectors of Moroccan society to raise awareness of the threats facing Jerusalem and its cultural identity.
Prior to the event, attendees toured a photo exhibition highlighting BMAQ’s efforts in the education sector in Jerusalem, showcasing Morocco-supported educational initiatives and scholarship programs for Palestinian students.
