Jerusalem – The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and the Community Association for Persons with Visual Disabilities in Jerusalem signed two agreements on Thursday to establish a vocational training and rehabilitation center for persons with visual disabilities and to further develop the “JALB” digital audio library application.
The agreements were signed by the Agency’s Acting Director, Mr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, and the President of the Community Association for Persons with Visual Disabilities, Ms. Kholoud Al-Dajani.
The first agreement, spanning 24 months, aims to empower between 35 and 45 young men and women with visual disabilities in the Jerusalem Governorate, with women representing at least 50 percent of the beneficiaries. The project seeks to promote their social and economic inclusion through the establishment of a vocational training and rehabilitation center, the delivery of specialized training programs, the provision of practical training and internship opportunities, support for small business start-ups, and the organization of awareness campaigns and community outreach activities that showcase their talents and contributions to society.
Under the second agreement, the Agency will support the further development of the “JALB” application, a digital audio platform that provides blind and visually impaired users in Jerusalem and across Palestine with free access to educational, cultural, and academic content, as well as psychosocial support resources. The platform also enables users to contribute by producing and recording audio content themselves. The project aims to create and archive around 400 audio resources, forge partnerships with universities, cultural centers, and vocational training institutions, and strengthen the Association’s resource center and digital capabilities to ensure the platform’s long-term sustainability and free accessibility.
Following the signing ceremony, Mr. Echarkaoui and the accompanying delegation toured the Association’s facilities, where they met with beneficiaries and heard firsthand about their living conditions amid the current circumstances. They also received a briefing on the Association’s programs and services and explored ways to further strengthen support for the institution and the people it serves.
Addressing the Association’s beneficiaries, Mr. Echarkaoui reaffirmed that the Agency views persons with disabilities as active partners in society whose determination and contributions often surpass expectations. He stressed that they are an integral part of Jerusalem’s resilience and play a vital role in safeguarding the city’s identity.
He reaffirmed that, under the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, BMAQ remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Jerusalemite institutions and carrying out its fieldwork with dedication and professionalism, guided by its mandate to serve the city and its people.
Mr. Echarkaoui further reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Association and responding to its evolving needs through sustainable programs and projects that strengthen the resilience of Jerusalemites. Concluding his remarks, he said: “Our approach is rooted in an unwavering commitment to serving you. As the saying goes, ‘Steady and lasting support is better than abundant but short-lived assistance.’ This principle lies at the heart of our enduring commitment to Jerusalem and its people.”
For her part, Ms. Al-Dajani praised the longstanding Moroccan-Palestinian partnership fostered through BMAQ , describing the signing of the two agreements as a new milestone in this enduring cooperation.
She explained that the vocational training center will empower persons with visual disabilities by strengthening their psychological, physical, and social well-being, facilitating their integration into society and helping them transition from social isolation to the labor market. Through specialized training leading to certifications accredited by the Ministry of Labor, the center will enhance their employability and create opportunities for stable, dignified livelihoods.
Regarding the “JALB” application, she described it as a digital talking library that converts books into audio content, helping address the shortage of accessible Arabic-language resources. She added that the Association plans to integrate artificial intelligence tools to further enhance the platform’s accessibility and improve the quality of life of blind and visually impaired users.
Ms. Al-Dajani also expressed her appreciation for BMAQ’s partnership, noting that it consistently supports projects with tangible social impact that address the needs of persons with disabilities and contribute to a better future for them in Jerusalem. She also praised the Kingdom of Morocco for its leading role in empowering persons with disabilities.
The two agreements form part of the Agency’s program to strengthen the institutional and community capacities of Jerusalemite organizations and provide safe spaces for children and young people as part of its Summer 2026 initiatives. Recent activities under the program include the delivery of sports equipment to the African Community Association Club in Jerusalem, as well as a shipment of furniture and fully equipped furnishings for the orphan shelter at the Arab Institute in the town of Abu Dis.
The Agency’s interventions have expanded significantly over the past two years, with the total value of the projects implemented in Jerusalem and Gaza during 2024 and 2025 reaching approximately US$12.2 million.
