The president of Al-Quds University, Prof. Dr. Hanna Abd Al-Nour signed an agreement to launch the Chair of Moroccan Studies with Bait Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and its acting director, Dr. Mohammed Salem Cherkaoui, in the presence of a Moroccan delegation from the Poetry House Foundation, the Syndicate of Professional Plastic Artists, the Association of Plastic Arts Theory, and prestigious research centers.

The Agency initiated the establishment of the Moroccan Studies Chair in the heart of Jerusalem, in an effort to introduce Palestinians to the history and civilization of Morocco and to deepen Moroccan-Palestinian relations.

Prof. Dr. Abd Al-Nour  praised the move to launch the Moroccan Studies Chair, which aims to consolidate the cultural, academic and research relations between the Palestinian and Moroccan peoples and revive the historical relationship and cohesion that has existed between the two peoples for hundreds of years. He affirmed Morocco’s role in supporting the Palestinians and the city of Jerusalem in particular, expressing his hope that this cooperation will be expanded and deepened in the future and thanking them for their efforts.

Dr. Cherkaoui said: “With the announcement of this chair, we are laying a new brick in consolidating the Moroccan connection to Jerusalem, which strengthens the multifaceted Moroccan presence in Jerusalem and Palestine through scientific and academic research, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, with the values of unity, freedom, justice and peace.” Dr. Cherkaoui said.

The Head of the Chair, Dr. Safa Nasser Al-Den, gave a presentation stating, “The establishment of the Moroccan Studies Chair at Al-Quds University is an effective tool for connecting Moroccan and Palestinian academics and intellectuals.” She expressed hope that it would serve as an ideal model for cultural exchange among Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, facilitating the exchange of ideas between various human civilizations and cultures.

Additionally, Dr. Nasser Al-Den outlined the objectives of the chair, which aim to encourage Palestinian students and researchers to further explore the long-standing Moroccan-Palestinian relationship, spanning from the past to the present and into the future. She also discussed the chair’s various activities, including research, grants, and awards. She emphasized the deep-rooted bond between the Palestinian and Moroccan peoples, a connection that has been strengthened under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the President of Al-Quds Committee, and a staunch supporter of Jerusalem and its residents.

The signing ceremony included a scientific workshop moderated by Dr. Banan Salahuddin – Department of Arabic Language at Al-Quds University, in which Dr. Mohammed Al-Shaker – Morocco, Dr. Abdelfattah Al-Balamshi – Morocco, and novelist and academic Dr. Walid Al-Sharafa – Palestine spoke on “The Impact of Knowledge in Strengthening Links between Peoples: The Case of Morocco and Palestine”, and ‘The Intersections of the Moroccan and Palestinian Poetic Experience’ by poet Murad Al-Qadiri – President of the Poetry House Foundation in Morocco and poet Murad Al-Sudani – President of the Union of Palestinian Writers – Palestine.

In the next session, “Voices of the Arts: When the artist’s quill pierces the heart of silence” was discussed by Dr. Sidi Mohamed Mansouri, President of the Moroccan Syndicate of Professional Plastic Artists: Sidi Mohamed Mansouri – President of the Moroccan Syndicate of Professional Visual Artists, and Dr. Hisham Mohsen – Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Al-Quds University.

It is noteworthy that Beit Al-Mal Agency has made many contributions to Al-Quds University over the years, including scholarships and support for projects, the most recent of which was the launch of the project to upgrade the campus spaces in Beit Hanina, funded by the Kingdom of Morocco, to redesign the university’s entrances, which carried the Moroccan character in its design.