Ramallah – The Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, affirmed that Moroccans’ connection to Jerusalem is not recent or incidental but a deep-rooted historical bond, emphasizing that the Kingdom of Morocco’s support for the Palestinian people continues through a variety of social and development programs.
In an interview on the “New Day” program on Voice of Palestine radio, Echarkaoui emphasized that this connection is evident through Moroccan endowments, historical landmarks, and the enduring Moroccan presence in Jerusalem, noting, “When we defend the rights of Palestinians in this land, we are also defending our rights as Moroccans in it.”
Regarding his regular visits to Jerusalem, Echarkaoui explained that they “take place within the framework of Royal directives for the Agency to provide sustained support to Jerusalem’s Palestinian residents year-round, especially during Ramadan, through its major social assistance campaign.”
In this context, he explained that BMAQ has launched a series of social, health, and economic initiatives in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan, alongside a complementary program aimed at reinforcing national identity and supporting Jerusalemites’ resilience.
The Agency operates year-round, investing about $8 million in 2025 in social proects with a focuse on education, healthcare, and building restoration, especially in the Old City , which is confronting mounting challenges.
In the same vein, Echarkaoui highlighted the organization of the “Moroccan Traditional Crafts Week” in Jerusalem, during which Moroccan artisans provided hands-on training to Jerusalemite youth in various traditional crafts, including textile arts, wood carving, and silver engraving.
He described the results as “impressive,” announcing plans to select top participants for three-week training residencies in major Moroccan craft centers to deepen their skills and enable them to pass on knowledge to peers in Jerusalem through a “train-the-trainer” approach.
Echarkaoui explained that this initiative forms part of the “Community Initiatives for Human Development” program, which aims to help beneficiaries establish income-generating activities rather than depend solely on short-term assistance.
Regarding the challenges faced by Jerusalemite artisans, he acknowledged that Palestinian products struggle to compete due to high production costs, costly raw materials, and limitations on movement and market access.
He stated that the Agency aims to overcome these challenges through a new marketing strategy under the “Made in and Made for Palestine” brand, promoting local production and broadening sales channels, including e-commerce and participation in international exhibitions.
He noted that the Agency served as the “first customer” for some of these initiatives to support the artisans and also exhibited Jerusalemite products abroad to foster confidence in investment and online marketing.
He also emphasized that the Agency’s resources “remain limited,” relying solely on funding from Morocco, and noted that it “has not received financial support from any Arab or Islamic countries since 2011, despite being an institutional mechanism well positioned to coordinate such support for Jerusalem.”
He added, “Palestinians hope that Arab and Islamic countries will follow the Moroccan model, which has shown a tangible presence through property ownership in the Old City, the construction of schools funded by Morocco, and the development of major health-sector projects, including hospital wards and medical laboratories.”
He emphasized that the Agency follows the principle that “a small, continuous effort is better than a large, intermittent one,” reaffirming its commitment to fulfilling its mission despite challenges.
Echarkaoui concluded by stating that “the Agency will continue promoting development and economic empowerment to strengthen Jerusalemites’ resilience and preserve the city’s civilizational identity, despite the complex security and economic challenges it faces.”
