On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its founding, Al Quds Fund and Endowment honors Al-Matouq and establishes the “Jerusalem Donor Network”

Jerusalem - Ramallah - On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Jerusalem Fund and Endowment and in honor of the guests of the Jerusalem International Conference on Sustainable Development Applications, I announced the establishment of an Arab and international alliance to support the city of Jerusalem under the name “Jerusalem Donors Network”, in partnership with Al-Quds University and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. This came during the dinner party held by Al Quds Fund and Endowment under the slogan “A Decade of Giving, and the Journey Continues,” to honor His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq, Chairman of the Higher Islamic Charitable Organization, Advisor to the Kuwaiti prince and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The ceremony, which was held at the Millennium Hotel in Ramallah on Saturday evening, was attended by leaders and ambassadors of charitable and humanitarian work at the Arab, Islamic and international levels, and a number of Arab and Islamic figures, most notably Abbas Zaki, a member of the Central Committee of the Fatah movement, representing President Mahmoud Abbas, and Munib Al-Masry. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Quds Fund and Endowment, and Dr. Imad Abu Kishk, Secretary of Al Quds Fund and Endowment and President of Al-Quds University, Minister of Justice Mr. Muhammad Al-Shalalda, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Mr. Abdullah Siam, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Arab and Islamic Fund Affairs Mr.  Nasser Qatami, in addition to Mrs. Hadeel Al-Sabti, International Relations Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Islamic Charitable Organization , Engineer Fathi Afaneh, CEO of Fast Building Contracting Company, Dr. Muhammad Al-Shayyab, senior expert in environmental development and strategic planning, Mrs. Iman Slim, company agent and community activist in sisterly Tunisia, Atef Al-Marzouqi, head of the Technical Operations Department, Dr. Najwa Baltif, assistant professor at the Higher Institute of Islamic Sciences in Kairouan, and Sheikha Ghanem Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill - Honorary Member of the Arab Fund for Social Responsibility Research - and writer, Dr. Shehab Ahmed Al-Othman, Director General of the Superior Achievement Institute for Private Training and Administrative and Economic Consultations - Head of the Kuwait Program for Social Responsibility, Dr. Ali Al Ibrahim, Vice President of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, Muhammad Saeed Al-Mudhahki, Executive Director - Al-Sanabel Association for Orphan Care, and Youssef Al-Oqab, Member of the Board of Directors - Al-Sanabel Association for Orphan Care, Professor Mohsen bin Ammar Al-Trabelsi, a professor doctor at the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis, Mrs. Reham Makhlouf, a representative of the Jordanian Sanad Association, representatives of national institutions, civil society, the private sector, the freed prisoner Karim Younes, Bishop Atallah Hanna, and a group of Palestinian figures.

The Vice President of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, Dr. Ali Al Ibrahim presented to the audience the founding statement of the “Jerusalem Donors Network,” stressing that its goal is to show solidarity with the Holy City and share with its people the feelings of brotherhood and solidarity.

He said, "We are embarking on our initiative to support our brothers: Arabs and Muslims in Jerusalem, regardless of their colors, races, and languages. You all know the challenges to which the city of Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian sanctities are exposed to its social, economic, educational, and cultural sectors."

He added, "In the face of all of this, the people of Jerusalem stand stationed, steadfast, defending, with little capabilities other than determination and willpower to stand firm on the city of Jerusalem, despite all the difficult circumstances they are going through. Let us announce the launch of the "Jerusalem Donors Network" to achieve empowerment and development in a way that ensures the preservation of Jerusalem's Arab-Islamic identity and the provision of essential elements. Resilience for Jerusalemites by supporting all development sectors within a promising strategic plan. It is a joint call for solidarity, cooperation, and contribution to supporting the city of Jerusalem.”

The ceremony began with a speech by Dr. Abu Imad Kishk, Secretary of Al Quds Endowment Fund and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qudsona Endowment Foundation and President of Al-Quds University, in which he praised Dr. Al-Maatouq for his efforts and hard work in supporting Jerusalem and strengthening the steadfastness of its people and his honorable positions towards the Palestinian cause and people.

Dr. Abu Kishk extended his greetings, appreciation and gratitude to Munib Al-Masry on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his founding of Al Quds  Fund and Endowment, as Al-Masry believes in the necessity of its survival so that it can be passed down to generations and performs his immortal mission in developing and developing Jerusalem and strengthening the steadfastness of its people in facing challenges and empowering them in all educational, health, social, economic, housing and other sectors.

Dr. Abu Kishek stressed that the Fund is keen to participate with our people in Jerusalem in determining their development priorities and needs, and that the work is based on participation, transparency, effectiveness, fairness and justice, and the participation of Jerusalem institutions, activities and men in the decision-making process, in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development in Jerusalem and the Jerusalemite community.

The Deputy Governor of Jerusalem praised the efforts of Al Quds Fund and Endowment for the benefit of the people of Jerusalem and their development in strengthening their steadfastness. He said, "The Fund will continue to work in all vital sectors and that the passage of ten years of giving is a great matter that deserves appreciation."

In turn, Abbas Zaki conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas to the guests of the Jerusalem International Conference on Sustainable Development Applications, led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq, representing the State of Kuwait, that works to support the Palestinian cause in all international forums, expressing his hope that all Palestinians return to their country.

 on the same page, Mr.  Abbas Zaki praised Mr. Munib Al-Masry and his efforts in achieving national unity and meeting the needs of the residents of Jerusalem through Al Quds Fund and Endowment.

For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq expressed his thanks for honoring him by Al Quds Fund and Endowment, praising the people of Palestine and their steadfastness in the face of challenges.

Al-Maatouq expressed his happiness to visit Palestine, accompanied by the guest delegation, and for the spirit, determination and pride they saw among its people, despite the injustice inflicted on them, wishing the Palestinian people steadfastness and success in achieving their freedom and independence.

The ceremony included religious performances and songs presented by the Anwar Al-Quds group, and a film was shown about the journey of the Al-Quds Fund and Endowment over the past ten years, and another film entitled “They Said About Us,” which included words from the heart from many Jerusalemite figures in which they talked about the Fund and its contribution to standing with the people of the Holy city.