Assahafa.com
The attachment of Moroccans to the city of Al-Quds is neither circumstantial nor recent, but deeply rooted in history and centuries-old, affirmed Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, Managing Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, stressing that the support of the Kingdom of Morocco for the Palestinian people continues through various social and development programs.
In an interview broadcast on Saturday on the program “Nahar Jadid” on Voice of Palestine radio, Cherkaoui stated that this attachment has been expressed through Waqf endowments, historical monuments, and the Moroccan human presence in Al-Quds. He noted that “when we defend the Palestinians’ right to this land, we are also defending our own right, as Moroccans.”
Regarding his continuous visits to Al-Quds, he noted that they fall within the framework of the High Royal Instructions addressed to the Agency to pursue its efforts in favor of the Palestinian population of the Holy City throughout the year, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, through a major social aid campaign.
In this context, Cherkaoui indicated that the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency has launched a series of social, health, and economic initiatives on the occasion of the blessed month, alongside a program aimed at consolidating national identity and strengthening the resilience of the Jerusalemites.
He emphasized that the Agency’s work is not limited to a specific season but extends throughout the year, noting that in 2025 nearly $8 million were invested in social projects benefiting the education, health, and building restoration sectors, particularly in the Old City, which faces growing challenges.
In the same vein, Cherkaoui referred to the organization of the “Moroccan Traditional Crafts Week” in Al-Quds, with the participation of a select group of Moroccan artisans who conducted training sessions for young Jerusalemites, particularly in weaving, wood carving, and silver jewelry making.
Describing the results as “impressive,” he stated that the Agency plans to select distinguished participants to benefit from three-week training sessions in major craft centers in Morocco, with a view to deepening their skills and transferring know-how to their peers in Al-Quds, according to a “training of trainers” approach. He stressed that this initiative falls within the “Local Initiatives for Human Development” program, which aims to enable beneficiaries to develop income-generating projects rather than relying solely on occasional aid.
Addressing the challenges facing Jerusalemite artisans, he pointed out that Palestinian products currently face competitive difficulties due to rising production and raw material costs, as well as restrictions on movement and marketing. He added that the Agency is working to overcome these obstacles by adopting a new marketing approach under the label “Made in and Made for Palestine,” focused on supporting local production and expanding marketing prospects, particularly through e-commerce and participation in international trade fairs.
Cherkaoui further noted that the Agency has been “the first client” of these productive initiatives to support artisans, adding that Jerusalemite products have been showcased in exhibitions abroad to strengthen confidence in investment and online marketing.
Emphasizing that “the Agency’s resources remain limited,” as its funding is exclusively provided by the Kingdom of Morocco, he pointed out that the Agency has not received any financial support from Arab or Islamic countries since 2011, although it constitutes an institutional mechanism authorized to coordinate Arab and Islamic support for Al-Quds.
He added that “our Palestinian brothers hope that Arab and Islamic states will draw inspiration from the Moroccan model, which has demonstrated its presence through the acquisition of real estate in the Old City, the construction of schools funded by Morocco, and the implementation of projects in the health sector, notably hospital units and laboratories within several hospitals.”
The Agency adopts the principle that “consistent modest support is better than intermittent abundance,” he added, assuring that it will pursue its mission despite the challenges.
Cherkaoui concluded by affirming that the Agency will continue its work along the path of development and economic empowerment in order to strengthen the resilience of the Jerusalemites and preserve the civilizational identity of the Holy City, despite the complex security and economic conditions surrounding it.
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