Rabat (UNA-OIC) – The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) approved funding for nine projects for the benefit of the State of Palestine, which will be implemented in the second half of 2021, in partnership with the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science (PNCECS).
These projects, which cover the ICESCO’s action areas in education, science and culture, will benefit all Palestinian geographical locations in northern and southern governorates as well as rural communities while prioritizing and paying special attention to Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem), which is being subjected to all forms of systematic violations and attacks by the Israeli occupation.
ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik underscored the Organization’s commitment to supporting the sectors of education, culture and science in Palestine. He noted that ICESCO’s contribution to such projects is in support of the Palestinian cause in light of the fierce violations committed against Palestinians, especially the recurrent violations targeting Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as well as the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah as in other regions of Al-Quds.
Head of PNCECS Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri thanked the ICESCO chief for the Organization’s prompt approval of the Palestinian project proposals for 2021, which were the product of joint efforts and coordination with official partners, including ministries, government institutions, and competent civil society institutions.
He also underlined the importance of working in coordination with competent partners for the project and program implementation, which focus on ICESCO’s main areas of action, catering to people with special needs, media development, women empowerment, artificial intelligence and technical education, music therapy and supporting rural communities. He also praised ICESCO’s initiative for increasing the number of scholarships awarded to Palestinian university students.
Abu Zuhri stated that operating under the umbrella of ICESCO provides Palestine with a valuable opportunity to develop programs and projects in line with the Organization’s priorities, orientations, and national priorities in light of the current challenging circumstances. He added that obtaining the maximum funding that ICESCO may allocate to its member state bears witness to the high level of professionalism, partnership, and coordination in preparing program and project files, which was carried out through National Commission teams, in cooperation with relevant national partner institutions, including government and civil society organizations.
