Al- Istiqlal University organized a reception event for the members of "Um Al-Quraia Village" group, in the presence of Maj. Gen. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Tirawi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Istiqlal University, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osbaa, the President of the University, Dr. Rajaa Sweidan, the Deputy of Administrative and Financial Affairs, and Ms. Alaa Al-Shanti, the Director of Media and Public Relations Department, inside the campus of the University, on Saturday 16th of November 2019 .
Maj. Gen. Al-Tirawi welcomed the attendees, mentioning in his speech the spirit of challenge that was planted inside the Palestinians by Martyr leader Yasser Arafat, and about the story of establishing Al-Istiqlal University, which was blessed by Yasser Arafat refusing to call it his name and choosing the name of “Palestine” instead.
And, he added: I told President Arafat about the idea of Al-Istiqlal University, which was started as Academy, and how President Arafat asked me to justify its establishment, I did so, calling its name “Yasser Arafat Security Academy”, he signed and approved it, with granting special land, at that time, but he put the name of “Palestine” instead of his name, pointing out that the University was built to serve the children of the martyrs, prisoners, orphans, the poor and the needy of the Palestinian people.
In the context, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osbaa stressed that Al-Istiqlal University always opens its gates to serve the Palestinian people, and receives the groups which work for the benefit and the development of our homeland and people.
For his part, Dr. Shaher Affouna, the Founder of the Group, thanked Maj. Gen. Al Tirawi for the reception, giving him a shield of appreciation on behalf of "Um Al-Quraia Village", appreciating his efforts in serving our country.
Finally, the event was concluded by a tour inside the campus of the University to know about its facilities, with the different activities which were included poetry, by the poets Mr. Samir Abu Haiga and Mr. Adham Al-Sartawi, and the traditional DABKA by Petunia Girls Secondary School.