The first meeting of the heads of Al Quds cultural institutions held by the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) at Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif head office in Rabat in cooperation with the Palestinian culture minister and the Agency wrapped up on Thursday (June 1st, 2023).

Some 13 Arab cultural institutions in Al Quds took part in the three-day meeting that closed with the announcement of the birth of Al Quds cultural forum to bring together the champions and supporters of Arab culture in the city of Al Quds.

The outline of the project to support Arab cultural institutions in Al Quds was detailed in the closing session that took place in the presence of the secretary general of the Moroccan ministry of youth, culture and communication, Mrs Samira Al Malizi, the Palestinian ambassador in Morocco, Mr. Jamal Choubki, the acting director of Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency, Dr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, the delegate of the Palestinian culture minister, Mr. Jad Izzat Mohamed Zaydane and the representative of the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), Dr. Ahmadou Habibi. 

In a speech read out on this occasion by the ministry secretary general, the Moroccan minister of youth, culture and communication, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, noted that the Kingdom is keen on "giving a particular importance to the recommendations and proposals adopted by the meeting to implement them and compile them within an official document named "the Rabat declaration for the consolidation and reinforcement of cultural action in Al Quds Asharif” to be presented as a reference at the 24th conference of ministers of cultural affairs in the Arab nation to be held in Marrakesh in April 2024.

The minister also evoked the special interest granted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, to the preservation of the historical legacy and civilization of Al Quds Asharif through the cultural, educational and social programs and projects carried out by Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency. 

On his part, the acting director of Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency, Dr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, praised the useful recommendations adopted by the meeting, expressing his adherence to all the initiatives serving the interests of Al Quds and its population, noting that the Agency has laid the foundations by carrying out an ambitious program of cultural and artistic events in four leading cultural centers, in a first stage. 

The meeting reviewed a set of issues, including the urgent needs of the Arab cultural institutions in Al Quds, outlining an action plan to support them in carrying out their activities, launching initiatives to contribute to protecting and reinforcing the cultural identity and civilizational fabric of the city of Al Quds Asharif, enshrining the Arab identity of Al Quds and consolidating tis cultural and civilizations status.