Rabat, June 24, 2024
A partnership and cooperation agreement was signed on Monday in Rabat between the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco. Additional agreements were also signed with the Department of Studies and Research and the Jerusalem Governorate, as well as with Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Furthermore, a framework agreement was established involving Al-Quds University, Mohammed V University, Al-Azhar University, and the Moroccan Cultural Center Association.
The first agreement, signed by the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and the Director in charge of running the BMAQ Agency, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, aims to support the Agency’s participation in exhibitions organized by the ministry, print and distribute the Agency’s publications, finance annual journalism excellence awards, and grant support for press and media freedom in Palestine.
The agreement also seeks to support the contents of the exhibition held by the Agency at its headquarters in Rabat.
The second agreement, signed by Mutasem Tayem, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Jerusalem at the Palestinian Presidency, Abdullah Siam, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem, and Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the Director in charge of running the Agency, aims to organize the partnership and cooperation between BMAQ, the Department of Studies and Research at the Office of the Palestinian President, and the Governorate of Jerusalem. This will be achieved through the “Bayt Al-Maqdis” Center for Research and Studies, which will finance projects in the fields of documentation and archiving.
The third agreement, signed by Dr. Khalil Abou Foul, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Azhar University in Gaza, and Mohamed Salem Echerkaoui, the director in charge of running the BMAQ Agency, establishes a framework for partnership and cooperation.
This aims to contribute to the implementation of projects that enable the university to continue its mission despite the difficult conditions in the region, and to ensure that students can continue their studies following the damage to the university building due to the ongoing war in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The fourth agreement, a framework agreement was signed by Imad Abu Kishek, President of Al-Quds University; Farid El Bacha, President of Mohammed V University; Khalil Abou Foul, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Azhar University in Gaza; and Sanae Tahtah from the Moroccan Cultural Center Association, alongside Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the director in charge of running the BMAQ Agency.
This agreement seeks to formalize the partnership among the three universities and the association. Its goal is to undertake projects that strengthen the cultural identity of the holy city, support the higher education system in Gaza, and raise awareness among future generations about the importance of the Palestinian cause . Specifically, it emphasizes Jerusalem’s role as a cradle of civilizations and human cultures.
