Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency Allocates $1M for Jerusalem Restoration

The Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency has signed a partnership agreement with the Moroccan Association for the support of reconstruction in Palestine to implement restoration projects in Al Quds Asharif, the Old City of Jerusalem. The $1 million deal will fund 100 targeted interventions across 10 properties in the historic city.

Why this matters: The preservation of Jerusalem's cultural heritage and identity has far-reaching implications for the region's political and social dynamics. This restoration project's success could set a precedent for future collaborative efforts to protect and promote cultural diversity in contested territories.

According to Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, Managing Director of the Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency, the projects aim to "restore and rehabilitate historic buildings in Al Quds Asharif that require upgrading through localized interventions" while preserving the architectural character of the old city. The interventions will focus on roofs, green spaces, doors, supporting walls, damp treatment, and maintaining and rehabilitating five buildings in various parts of the Holy City.

Cherkaoui emphasized that despite constraints, the agency will continue to implement its action plan for 2024, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to carry out concrete projects with a direct impact on the Palestinians of Al-Quds and the institutions of the Holy City.

Palestinian Ambassador to Morocco, Jamal Choubki, praised the efforts of the Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, to support the Palestinians in Al-Quds Asharif and preserve the historic monuments of the Holy City. Choubki noted that the restoration operation aims to preserve the city's Arab-Islamic-Christian identity, which is threatened by attempts to obliterate its identity.

The partnership agreement between the Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency and the Moroccan Association for the support of reconstruction in Palestine represents a significant commitment to preserving the cultural heritage and identity of Jerusalem's Old City. The $1 million allocation for targeted restoration interventions across multiple properties aims to have a tangible impact on the lives of Palestinians and the institutions in this historic and sacred city.