The children of Jerusalem, participating in the 15th edition of the summer camp, visited the city of Tetouan on Thursday. They explored the city’s ancient streets and alleys, discovering the unique features of Moroccan architecture, including traditional zellige tiles, authentic mosaics, woodwork, and copperware.
During their tour of Tetouan’s old city, the Palestinian children felt as if they were walking through Bab al-Khalil or Bab al-Amoud in Jerusalem. The scents of orange blossom water, spices, grape leaves, and vegetables deepened their sense of being in one of the markets of the old city of Jerusalem, due to the striking similarities and historical richness of both areas.
The visit to Tetouan concluded with a welcoming reception hosted by the provincial governor, Abdel Razzaq Al-Mansouri, who expressed his warm welcome to the children of Jerusalem. In return, the children spontaneously conveyed their deep emotions and gratitude for this generous opportunity, an annual initiative by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Jerusalem Committee, to allow children from Jerusalem to visit Morocco and enjoy its diverse landscapes, natural beauty, and the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, the summer camp activities for the children of Jerusalem featured the conclusion of the “Yaqub Al-Mansur Al-Muwahidi” basketball tournament for girls and the futsal tournament for boys, organized by the Regional Academy of Education and Training of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication. The events brought together Moroccan and Palestinian children in an atmosphere of entertainment, fun, and a spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to fair competition.
Today, Friday, the program will include a morning visit to some of Tangier’s most significant historical and archaeological landmarks. These include the Tower of Na’am, home to an exhibition on the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, the Kasbah, the cultural and recreational space Riad Sultan, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bab al-Bahr, Dar al-Baroud Tower, Dar al-Dabbagh Hotel, Bab al-Diwan, and the Souk Dakhel.
In parallel with the summer camp in Morocco, benefiting 50 children from Jerusalem and five supervisors, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency launched the Summer Schools program in Jerusalem at the beginning of August. This program benefits 4,000 children from the city, distributed across 17 schools and clubs in various neighborhoods and villages in the region.
