Jerusalem – Today, Tuesday, the Faculty of Engineering at Al-Quds University – Abu Dis hosted the inauguration of the official headquarters of the Moroccan Studies Chair, attended by prominent academic and official figures, including University President Hanna Abdel Nour, Moroccan Ambassador to Palestine Abdelrahim Meziane, Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency (BMAQ) Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, and the Chair’s President, Safa Nassereldin.
This inauguration marks the transition of the Chair’s work from the establishment phase to the stage of full institutional and academic empowerment. In this regard, summaries from the professors and students participating in the Chair’s first research call were presented, covering historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic themes related to the Moroccan presence in Jerusalem and its civilizational manifestations, within a specialized academic discussion led by the Chair’s scientific committee members.
On this occasion , the President of Al-Quds University expressed his pride in inaugurating the official headquarters of the Moroccan Studies Chair on campus, highlighting that it stands as both a distinctive architectural and aesthetic addition, and “a valuable symbolic gift from Morocco to Palestine.”
Mr. Abdel Nour emphasized that the significance of the Chair lies in “its documentary and academic role in studying the historical and urban aspects of the Moroccan presence in Jerusalem, preserving the shared memory, and fostering specialized scientific research in this field.”
For his part, the Moroccan Ambassador to the State of Palestine expressed his pleasure at participating in the inauguration of the Moroccan Studies Chair’s official headquarters at Al-Quds University, and he commended the university for hosting this distinguished academic initiative.
Mr. Meziane affirmed that establishing an official headquarters for the Chair represents “an important step in solidifying its institutional presence,” noting that the Chair emerged from the deep-rooted historical bond between Morocco and Palestine. It embodies one of the many expressions of Morocco’s profound solidarity with Jerusalem and its residents, especially considering the symbolic significance of the Moroccan Quarter, Bab al-Maghariba, and the enduring Moroccan presence in the city.
Similarly, BMAQ Director highlighted that Al-Quds University’s hosting of the Moroccan Studies Chair “has provided it with a robust academic and institutional foundation, ensuring its long-term success and sustainability. ”
Mr. Echarkaoui explained that the Agency, operating under the guidance of HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, regards education and scientific research as “a fundamental pillar for safeguarding identity and promoting societal stability.”
For her part, the President of the Moroccan Studies Chair remarked that the inauguration of the Chair’s official headquarters “represents not merely the opening of an administrative space, but also the creation of a long-term academic and intellectual journey aimed at generating knowledge, preserving memory, and posing profound research questions within the Moroccan–Palestinian relationship, with Jerusalem at its core.”
Dr. Nassereldin remarked that, from its inception, the Chair was conceived as a sustainable academic initiative, not only focused on the Moroccan presence in Jerusalem and Palestine, but also rooted in a broader vision of the Moroccan experience in its civilizational and intellectual dimensions. It particularly emphasizes Morocco’s contributions to preserving Jerusalem’s identity, urban fabric, and cultural memory.
It is noteworthy that the inauguration of the Moroccan Studies Chair’s official headquarters culminates the academic journey that began in March 2025, serving as a foundation for the Chair’s future plans. This milestone strengthens its research presence at Al-Quds University and solidifies the Moroccan–Palestinian academic space as a dynamic center for knowledge and shared memory.
