By  Ahmad Hamouch, IOL Correspondent

RABAT — A Moroccan charity is launching a 70,000-dollar project to help hundreds of Muslim and Christian families in the holy city of Al-Quds during the fasting month of Ramadan.

“Iftar Bag project aims to help poor families in Al-Quds,” Mohamed Salem Al-Sharqawi, media officer at the Bait Mal Al-Quds, told IslamOnline.net.

The project eyes the distribution of food packages among 1,000 Muslim and Christian families in the occupied holy city.

“It does not only cover Muslim families but also Christians who are equally steadfast in defending their land in the city,” said Sharqawi.

“Nearly 1,000 families are expected to benefit from this project this Ramadan.”

The project is a continuation of the “Honorable Living” project which saw the distribution of 2,000 pieces of bread every day among families in Al-Quds.

Established in 1998, Bait Mal Al-Quds is an affiliate body of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) that seeks to protect the city of Al-Quds and safeguard its religious, cultural and civilizational character.

It carries out a number of programs and projects in the holy city to help its people remain steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation and its Judaization scheme.

Israel captured and occupied Al-Quds in 1967, then declared its annexation in a move not recognized by the world community or UN resolutions.

The holy city is home to Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Islam’s third holiest shrine Al-Aqsa Mosque, and represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Al-Quds is also home to some of the holiest Christian worship places, including the Jerusalem Church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

Fundraising

Bait Mal Al-Quds is also launching a fundraising campaign to improving the infrastructure in the holy city.

The “Together for Al-Qud” campaign aims to support the housing and youth sectors, renovate mosques and historical buildings and develop educational, health and cultural services in the city.

“Donations will be used to implement development and humanitarian programs in Al-Quds,” said Dr. Abdelkebir Alaoui M’Daghri, the agency’s chairman.

Bait Mal Al-Quds is planning to raise 43.7 million dollars for implementing its projects in the holy city over the coming eight years.

It is also offering scholarships for students from Al-Quds and is planning to establish sporting clubs in the holy city.

“The agency intends to support psychological centers at Al-Quds hospitals as well as addiction treatment centers,” said M’Daghri.

Bait Mal Al-Quds is already receiving financial support from leaders of heavyweight Muslim countries.

“Moroccan King Mohamed VI is providing regular financial contributions to support the agency’s projects,” said Sharqawi, the media officer.

“Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz has also allocated one million dollars for the campaign in addition to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Iran.”

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