The Governor of Al-Quds, Adnan Ghait, praised on Saturday in Tangier, the unwavering support of King Mohammed VI and the Kingdom of Morocco for Al-Quds and its inhabitants.
Adnan Ghait, who was attending the opening of an exhibition by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, held on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the Executive Council of the Organization of Arab Towns (ATO), expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco, the King, the government, and the people, for their continued support for Al-Quds, noting that the holy city remains a central concern for King Mohammed VI.
The exhibition showcases a series of achievements and projects carried out by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by King Mohammed VI, he told MAP, noting that Al-Quds remains at the heart of the concerns of the Arab-Muslim Ummah, in light of attempts to distort its identity and architectural heritage.
For his part, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, Managing Director of the Rabat-based Agency, stressed that this event serves as an opportunity to present the Agency’s work in support of the holy city.
The exhibition features images of various projects implemented by the Agency, including the restoration and rehabilitation of Al-Quds’ Old City, as well as different social and economic support initiatives, he added, noting that the gathering of Arab cities in Tangier is also an opportunity to call on city representatives to give greater attention to the holy city and to the preservation of its religious, civilizational, Arab, and Islamic heritage, as a place of coexistence for the three monotheistic religions.
Last year, the Agency implemented 55 projects in health, culture, education, sports, youth, social assistance, human development, and projects for women and children. These projects with a budget exceeding $4.2 million were fully funded by the Kingdom.
Morocco also implemented a support model based on governance, proper management, and a forward-looking vision.
The 62nd session of the Executive Council of the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) held in Tangier on Saturday was attended by delegations from major Arab cities and influential figures in local governance.
The event provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Arab cities and local authorities, exchange experiences on common challenges facing urban governance, particularly in sustainable development, urban expansion management, improving public service quality, and enhancing citizen’s participation in decision-making.
Accelerated urban expansion, environmental constraints, and economic and social transformations are challenges that require the adoption of advanced public policies ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental preservation, as well as between modernizing urban facilities and preserving the cultural identity of spaces, participants noted, suggesting the creation of a joint roadmap for more prosperous and sustainable cities.
ATO Secretary General, Abdul Rahman Hisham Al-Asfour, praised the positive and effective role of Moroccan cities, founding members of the Organization, in supporting the organization, enriching its activities, and strengthening its goals to serve Arab cities and citizens.
