Jerusalem – A delegation from the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) visited several community centers in Jerusalem on Friday to monitor the implementation of the Summer Schools Program and review the educational and recreational activities offered to participating children.
Led by the Agency’s Acting Director, Mr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the visit forms part of BMAQ’s ongoing field monitoring of the social projects it implements in Jerusalem, in line with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee.
The delegation toured the Jerusalem Heritage Youth Forum, Al Bustan Association in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Community Association for Persons with Visual Disabilities.
On the occasion, the Forum’s Director General, Mr. Mohammed Al-Awar, said the visit reflects the strength of the longstanding partnership between the Forum and the Agency. He noted that the Forum, headquartered in Silwan, delivers a broad range of programs for children, youth, and women through its branches in Wadi Al-Joz, Al-Issawiya, and Al-Eizariya.
He added that the delegation reviewed the Forum’s activities and met with several beneficiaries, including children and young people who had previously visited Morocco to participate in cultural exchange programs and summer camps organized by the Agency.
Mr. Al-Awar praised the Agency’s sustained support for the children and youth of Silwan, noting that its summer camps have provided generations of participants with a safe educational and recreational environment that helps them overcome daily challenges, broaden their horizons through new experiences, and deepen the bonds of brotherhood between the Palestinian and Moroccan peoples.
For her part, Zeina Khatib, Academic Supervisor at the Jerusalem Heritage Youth Forum, said the Forum serves around 600 students through programs in Dabke dance, music, painting, robotics, virtual reality, cultural activities, and educational field trips.
She welcomed the delegation’s visit and expressed the Forum’s aspiration to expand its cooperation with the Agency in implementing development initiatives that enhance the skills of children and youth in Jerusalem while strengthening their attachment to their city.
Qutaiba Odeh, President of Al Bustan Association in Silwan, said the delegation’s visit, led by the Agency’s Acting Director, conveyed a strong message of support and solidarity with the people of Silwan and Jerusalem while reaffirming the enduring fraternal ties between Morocco and Palestine.
Mr. Odeh noted that the strategic partnership between the Association and the Agency reflects a shared commitment to resilience and solidarity in the face of the challenges confronting Silwan. He added that this cooperation extends year-round across a broad range of community, humanitarian, and relief initiatives.
He further noted that the visit has given fresh impetus to the partnership and paved the way for expanded cooperation in the period ahead, reinforcing the resilience of Jerusalemites and strengthening the institutions that serve their community.
Last Tuesday, BMAQ, the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, launched the 2026 Summer Schools Program, funded by the Kingdom of Morocco.
This year’s program benefits more than 3,000 children aged 4 to 17. It also equips participating associations with school supplies, educational and sports equipment, art materials, theatrical performances, psychosocial support workshops, and activities focused on modern technology and life skills. The program aims to provide children with a safe, nurturing environment while fostering their psychological well-being and social development.
