Rabat – On Monday, April 28, the city of Rabat hosted the launch of the “Hayya” apps, a new digital initiative by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) aimed at children and youth. These apps are designed to highlight the virtues and cultural values of Jerusalem.
The event was attended by diplomats, artists, and athletes who were introduced to this innovative initiative, which includes animated series and augmented reality e-stickers.
The animated series titled “The Five Keys of Jerusalem” presents the story of the deep-rooted connection between Moroccans and Jerusalem, especially its blessed mosque. It engages children with interactive queries to help them discover the city and explore its religious and cultural landmarks.
The series follows five children from diverse nationalities and religions as they participate in a contest sharing their experiences in Jerusalem—a city they are visiting for the first time—guided by the grandson of Haj Moussa al-Rida, a Moroccan freedom fighter who once supported Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in the city’s historic liberation.
The series draws inspiration from the story of Haj Moussa al-Rida. His grandson leads the characters on a journey from Rabat to Jerusalem through a magical gate that only opens with five keys and an olive branch. Together, they explore the city’s sacred sites, ancient alleyways, and bustling markets—before setting their sights toward the heights beyond.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui , BMAQ’s Director , stated that the initiative serves as a model for investing in younger generations, encouraging them to develop the tools needed to understand and critically analyze the events unfolding around them.
Mr. Echarkaoui explained that the campaign will initially be launched in Morocco—home to the Al-Quds Committee—with support from the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, and in collaboration with regional academies across the kingdom. He emphasized that the campaign aims to “instill the principle of a deep-rooted and unwavering bond between Moroccans of all generations and their Palestinian brothers.”
He added that the agency is embracing modern technology by developing a tool tailored for the new generation: the “Hayya”
app, which enables users to take part in competitions and explore questions related to the people of Jerusalem, its architecture, history, culture, and more.
For her part, Doaa El Shereef, appointed by the agency as the project director of “Hayya” for children and youth, stated that the initiative represents a significant Moroccan effort to support Jerusalem by bridging the past with the present.
Mrs. El-Shereef emphasized that the platform is designed to connect young audiences with the intergenerational knowledge of Jerusalem’s historical and cultural significance. It also seeks to promote values of tolerance, love, and coexistence in an engaging and accessible way. She noted that the content will be available in Arabic, French, and English to reach children and youth across the globe.
