Ramallah – The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, announced on Wednesday the launch of the Integrated Programme for Education and Training Support in Jerusalem (2027–2030) during a ceremony held at the Ramallah Exhibition Grounds, in the presence of the Agency’s Acting Director, Mohammed Salem Echarkaoui.
The launch ceremony was attended, alongside Abderrahim Meziane, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Palestine, by Adnan Al-Husseini, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Jerusalem Affairs Department; Adnan Samara, President of the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence; Major General Bilal Al-Natsheh, Secretary-General of the National Popular Conference for Jerusalem; Abdullah Siyam, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem; Archbishop Atallah Hanna of Sebastia for the Greek Orthodox Church; Safaa Nassereddine, Secretary-General of the Presidency of Al-Quds University; the Deputy Director of Education in Jerusalem; Ibrahim Al-Lahham, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Quds newspaper; as well as education officials, university presidents, and official and academic figures.
In his address, Mr. Echarkaoui explained that the programme is the outcome of a consultative process based on assessing the actual needs of Jerusalem’s education sector. It builds on the first Education Support Plan for Jerusalem (2022–2026), announced in Rabat on 23 February 2021 with the participation of representatives from Palestinian and Moroccan educational institutions.
He stressed that the programme comes at a time when Jerusalem faces mounting challenges. Referring to the 2025 Annual Report of the Arribat Monitoring and Evaluation Observatory , he noted the worsening social and economic conditions in the city and emphasized the need to strengthen the education sector by addressing infrastructure shortages, supporting students and educational institutions, safeguarding the Palestinian curriculum, and improving the quality of the learning environment.
He added that the programme reflects the High Royal Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to provide sustained support for Jerusalem and its people under all circumstances. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to fulfilling this mission despite limited resources, guided by its motto: “With Them in Adversity as in Times of Prosperity.”
Mr. Echarkaoui emphasized that investing in education is essential to preserving Palestinian identity and advancing scientific research. He called on researchers to document Jerusalem’s history, verify historical records, and produce scholarly studies that reinforce the Palestinian narrative.
For his part, Major General Bilal Al-Natsheh, Secretary-General of the National Popular Conference for Jerusalem, said the event reflected the deep fraternal ties between the State of Palestine and the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as the special place Jerusalem holds for His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, and the Moroccan people. He commended Morocco’s steadfast support for strengthening the resilience of Jerusalemites.
He highlighted that BMAQ’s initiatives directly address the needs of Jerusalem’s residents and serve as a model of Arab and Islamic institutional support for the city.
He added that the Agency has translated the Royal Instructions into development, humanitarian, educational, and healthcare projects that have made a tangible difference in the lives of Jerusalemites by strengthening essential services, advancing socio-economic development, and preserving Jerusalem’s Arab and Islamic identity.
Mr. Al-Natsheh also welcomed the recent cooperation agreements between the Conference and BMAQ, highlighting the scholarship programme for students at Jerusalem’s universities. Expanded from two to four universities, the programme now supports around 400 students each year. He described it as an investment in the future of Jerusalem’s youth, enabling them to pursue higher education in their own city while easing the financial burden on their families
He also commended the Agency’s humanitarian, healthcare, educational, social, and economic initiatives, as well as its efforts to preserve the cultural heritage and identity of the Holy City.
Mr. Al-Natsheh renewed his gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI and to the Kingdom of Morocco, its Government and people, for their unwavering support and steadfast commitment to Jerusalem and its people.
The integrated programme is built around four main pillars: improving the learning environment by rehabilitating schools under the Jerusalem Directorate of Education and completing the second phase of the rehabilitation of Al-Quds University buildings in Beit Hanina; expanding scholarships and training opportunities for Jerusalemite students at Palestinian and Moroccan universities; fostering entrepreneurship and digital innovation through startup incubators and participation in GITEX exhibitions; and strengthening extracurricular learning while preserving Palestinian identity through summer schools, the Winter University, environmental clubs, and cultural and educational programmes.
On the same occasion, Acting Director Mohammed Salem Echarkaoui officially launched Jerusalem Hackathon 2026, an initiative supporting Palestinian startups in digital services, smart maintenance and operations, smart tourism, cultural heritage, and AI-powered storytelling. The hackathon brings together innovators, developers, designers, and entrepreneurs to develop technology-driven solutions to Jerusalem’s most pressing challenges, transforming ideas into practical prototypes through an intensive programme of collaborative learning, expert mentorship, and teamwork.
The initiative also includes three open online training programmes in e-commerce, digital marketing, and environmental professions, combining online learning with in-person workshops and practical training to equip Jerusalemite youth with in-demand skills, enhance their employment prospects, and help reduce unemployment and poverty.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, BMAQ also honored the top-performing recipients of its annual scholarship programme for Jerusalemite students pursuing higher education at Palestinian universities.
