In the presence of Prof Dr. Ali Zidan Abu Zuhri, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization - Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, and HE Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Al-Tirawi, a member of the Central Committee of Fatah and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Istiqlal University. The Secretary-General of the National Committee - Chairman of the Executive Council of ISESCO " Dr. Dawas Dawas, and the President of Al-Istiqlal University, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osba, signed an agreement to finance the "Gates of Jerusalem - City of God" project, which will be implemented by the University's team, within the grant provided by the Republic of Iraq under the supervision of the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science "ALECSO".
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Abu Zuhri thanked the Republic of Iraq for this grant, which came to strengthen the steadfastness of our people in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and preserve the cultural identity of Al-Quds, which has been placed among the national priorities of the Palestinian people, and said: “Despite the geographical distance, Iraq considers itself as a part of the Palestinian cause, especially that it exists in the contemporary Palestinian consciousness and in the historical dimension, besides the Iraqi giving and belonging that we see in the graves of the Iraqi martyrs in the 1948 and 1967 wars in Jenin, Ya’bad and other Palestinian areas continues. We hope that this agreement will be a path that illuminates continuous and fruitful cooperation.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of these projects that target the capital, Jerusalem, and its walls and gates, to stand in the face of the Israeli violations and the continuous attacks practiced by settlers daily, so that this project simulates the reality and highlights the role of the cultural scene through resistance art, through a work of innovation and creativity in the implementation of activities and the cultural- dramatic expressions, praising what Al-Istiqlal University has done since the beginning of the founding of its band and the cultural contributions it made during the years of its work.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Al-Tirawi referred to the national message and the societal responsibility that the University undertakes towards our people, as it seeks with all its components, students, and cadres to unite with the Palestinian street, believing in the importance of strengthening the cultural heritage, and consolidating its components for future generations who will have the responsibility to protect the national map from the river to the sea.
Moreover, Dr. Dawas praised the efforts and achievements of the University in the higher education sector and the valuable cultural contributions made by its team in various Arab and international forums, mentioning the necessity of documenting the Palestinian heritage in general and Jerusalem heritage in particular, by the contemporary and modern international visions, besides the process of communication and networking which is carried out by the Palestinian National Committee with the national institutions and international organizations in the fields of education, culture, and science; to localize the practices of protecting the Palestinian heritage, to reach the world in the best possible way.
In a related context, Prof. Dr. Abu Osba welcomed the attendees, pointing out that this vital project aims to dedicate "Jerusalem" as an eternal capital and to focus on the importance of intangible heritage in light of the barbarism of the Zionist entity, the arrogance of the occupation and its continuous attempts to obliterate the Palestinian narrative.
During the visit, the two sides discussed the educational, cultural, and scientific conditions in Palestine. In addition to presenting an introductory film about Al-Istiqlal University showing its academic and military levels, besides taking the guest delegation on a field tour of its faculties and facilities.
It is noteworthy to mention that the "Gates of Jerusalem - City of God" project is based on one of the new arts that the Al-Istiqlal University band introduced to its works, represented by the "Dance Theatre", to shed light locally, Arab and internationally on Jerusalem and its historical-national status, and its seven doors. The band looks forward to producing a suggestive artistic and dramatic work that embodies all the elements of the Palestinian presence in the city of Jerusalem.
The show will last for 60 minutes, with a variety of melodies with poems, representative lyrical dialogues, dance performances, costumes, and decorations, designed specifically to meet the scenario of the work, to weave stories and tales with the fragrant past, present, and future.