Moroccan and Palestinian experts recently held a discussion in al-Quds on the convergence of Moroccan and Palestinian expertise in the protection and preservation of archaeological architecture.
During a conference organized by the Moroccan Cultural Centre Association in partnership with al-Quds University, experts from the two countries discussed several issues, such as the role of social networks in preserving cultural heritage, particularly that of the Holy City, and the challenges of restoring the Old City of al-Quds.
This conference, part of a visit by a Moroccan delegation of architects and experts in the restoration of archaeological buildings and the upkeep of historic architecture, also highlighted the importance of preserving architectural and urban heritage in socio-economic development, with the Moroccan city of Fez as an example.
On this occasion, the President of Al-Quds University, Imad Abu Kishek, praised the particular interest shown by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of al-Quds Committee, in the history of the Holy City and the preservation of its heritage given the conditions currently surrounding it.
Abu Kishek also highlighted Morocco’s distinctive scientific and academic interest in archaeological heritage and restoration, urging Moroccan and Palestinian experts and academics to boost their exchange of expertise in this field, particularly for the benefit of students at al-Quds University’s Faculty of Architecture.
For his part, Morocco’s ambassador to Palestine, Abderrahim Meziane, stated that the Moroccan delegation’s visit reflects His Majesty the King’s interest in Palestine, particularly in al-Quds, through Bayt Mal al-Quds Asharif Agency, hoping that this meeting between architects and experts would result in promising projects.
In a similar context, the coordinator of Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency in Al-Quds, Ismail Al-Ramli, explained that this visit, which enjoys the Agency’s support, is part of the Agency’s efforts to encourage concrete projects and programs with a positive impact on the inhabitants of al-Quds in several social fields.
Head of the Department of Architecture at al-Quds University, Yara Seifi, underlined that the University had monitored several restoration projects undertaken by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency across the Holy City.
The Moroccan delegation includes the Director of the Agency for Development and Rehabilitation of the City of Fez, Fouad Serghini, the National Director of the Moroccan Program for Sustainable Development of the Ksour and Kasbah, Bouazza Baraka, the Director of the Center for Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Architectural Heritage of the Atlas Regions, Mohamed Bousalah, the President of the Regional Council of the Order of Architects of Fez, Saadi Karim, heritage expert Abdellah Alaoui, and arts and artistic heritage expert Chokri Ben Tawit.
