The Moroccan Cultural Center in Al-Quds will strengthen the Moroccan presence in Palestine

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
The Moroccan Cultural Center – Maison du Maroc in Al-Quds – will strengthen the Moroccan presence in Palestine and the Middle East, said Wednesday in Rabat, the director responsible for the management of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui.
Speaking at the 24th session of the Conference of Arab Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Cherkaoui stressed that this Center, managed by the Agency with a special budget allocated by the Kingdom of Morocco, is “ready to open as soon as the conditions will permit”, noting that it will offer a space to institutions, associations as well as young people to present their creations in the fields of culture, arts and cultural industries.
The Center consists of the spaces “Sakia Al Hamra”, dedicated to the permanent exhibition of Moroccan crafts, “Koutoubia”, which houses a Moroccan library and “Dar Essalam”, dedicated to conferences and seminars, in addition to the gallery “ Souss” for photographic and plastic arts exhibitions.
It also includes the “Tangis”, “Angad” and “Zayane” lounges for workshops and the arts, a Moroccan room and lounge and an administrative wing, while we find upstairs, with a view of the Mosque Al-Aqsa, a cultural café, said Mr. Cherkaoui.
This Center is a historic building overlooking the Al-Aqsa mosque, acquired by the Kingdom of Morocco in 1998 and located in the heart of the Old City, he recalled, noting that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, President of the Al -Quds, was kind enough to protect this building which bears witness to the Islamic presence in the Holy City and preserve its historical and architectural character.
And to add that this building was restored and rehabilitated by integrating the Moroccan character into some of its spaces for a budget of 3 million dollars, in perfect harmony with its original components, thus reflecting the values of the Kingdom and the specificities of its unique architecture, without however compromising the elegance and spirit of Maqdessie architecture.
The Moroccan Cultural Center in Al-Quds constitutes an example of concrete projects for the preservation of the cultural and civilizational heritage of the Holy City, indicated Mr. Cherkaoui, affirming that this model is the fruit of the combination of actions of the Committee of Al -Quds with the political, legal and diplomatic efforts of the Kingdom, coupled with the Agency’s social and humanitarian actions on the ground.
It is also a model to follow for preserving the Arab-Islamic identity of Al-Quds, through the preservation of its land heritage, by working to acquire historical monuments and preventing their transfer to other countries. other parties, in coordination with the historic Hashemite supervision over the Christian and Muslim holy sites in Al-Quds Acharif, the Palestinian Authority and the relevant Arab, Islamic and international institutions, he added.
In this regard, Mr. Cherkaoui praised the partnerships of Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif with the main cultural centers in the Holy City, as part of a support program that reached its peak since 2009, with the celebration of Al -Quds as Arab cultural capital, upon decision of the Arab ministers of culture meeting in Muscat in 2006, the restoration and rehabilitation of the Yabous Cultural Center for a budget of 1 million euros and the continuation of supporting part of its annual artistic programs and activities, then expanding this effort to other cultural centers that work to preserve the city’s Arab identity and maintain its authentic artistic character (1.2 million dollars).
Mr. Cherkaoui expressed, in this regard, the Agency’s willingness to share its experience with all Al-Quds support institutions, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency constituting, according to him, the best tool for coordinating Arab-Islamic support for the Holy City, under the direct supervision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.