Al-Quds Committee

Al-Quds Committee (Arabic: لجنة القدس; French: Comité Al Qods), also known by its affiliated arm name adopted in 1995, Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency (Arabic: وكالة بيت مال القدس; French: Agence Bayt Mal Al Qods), is an intergovernmental organization and one of the 4 standing committees of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation established in July 1975. It is focused on cultural, political, social, religious and human rights issues in Jerusalem caused by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Its principles are predominantly focused on the protection of Al-Aqsa, and cultural heritage of the city in addition to serving as an advocacy agency specialized in humanitarian and social works, concerning health, education housing children's as well as women's rights.

Al-Quds Committee
Arabic: لجنة القدس
French: Comité Al Qods
Formation12 July 1975 (1975-07-12)
FoundersOIC
TypeIntergovernmental nonprofit organization
Legal statusFoundation
FocusRun humanitarian campaign, social, cultural and political projects concerning Israeli–Palestinian conflict
HeadquartersIlôt 13, 2 Av. Attine, Hay Riad
Location
Membership
16 member states
Official languages
Arabic, English, French
Chairperson
Mohammed VI
OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
Main organ
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Subsidiaries
  • Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC)
  • COMCEC
  • COMSTECH
AffiliationsBayt Mal Al Quds Agency
Expenses$57 million
Websitebmaq.org

It runs several projects in the city of Jerusalem such as sports activities, health awareness programs, and educational scholarships, in addition to serving as a financial assistance institute for the restoration of war-affected houses. As of July 2021, it as financed about $57 million to run its projects concerning social, cultural, education, health and housing in Jerusalem and Palestine. It is also entrusted with advocating for the support of King Hassan II College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences in Gaza.

Administration background

The committee is dependently run and administrated by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers of the 16 member states. In addition to being financed by the member states, the committee has also run protects contributed by public and private vendors, including organisations and individuals. The Kingdom of Morocco is the largest contributor of 87% funds which declined significantly since the last 3 years. King of Morocco serves as its chairperson.[1]

History

Al-Quds Committee was established after the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers adopted a resolution No. 1/6-P between 12 and 15 July 1975. The summit was hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The idea of Bayt Mal al-Quds Agency initiative was originally introduced by the king of Morocco, Hassan II in the 15the session held in Ifrane, Morocco in 1995. The idea came into effect between 9 and 13 December 1995 in the 23rd session held in Conakry, Guinea and hence Bayt Mal al-Quds Agency was established as an affiliate agency of Al-Quds Committee.

Bayt Mal al-Quds was formally created on 30 July 1998 after it was granted legal status by the OIC Council of Foreign. T It held its first meeting on 14 February 2000 under the leadership of Morocco king, Mohammed VI in the presence of Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency is administered by finance ministers of the member states. Its Trusteeship Committee consists of foreign affairs ministers of five member, including the foreign ministers of the Morocco and Palestine. It is headquartered at Ilôt2, Av. Attine, Hay Riad, Rabat, Morocco.[2]

Role of Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco plays a significant role in Al-Quds Committee. The committee received maximum fundraising contribution from the country.[3] However, following the 2020 diplomatic developments between Israel and Morocco, the Islamic Supreme Committee and the Justice and Development urged the OIC and Palestine Liberation Organization for the revocation of Morocco's membership and chairmanship following by the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement.[4] Within a span of 22 years, Morocco’s Bayt Mal Al Qods Agency Carried Out 200 ‘Major’ Projects and dozens of small and medium projects, which costed $64 million (MAD 657.5 million), have benefited all segments of Al Quds residents.[5]

Membership

OIC has a membership of 57 Muslim nations, however the Al-Quds Committee is signed by 16 countries, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Mauritania, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Senegal, Niger, and Guinea.[2] The OIC suspended Syria's membership in 2012, and thus it is longer a part of the Al-Quds Committee.[6][7]

References
  1. "Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency: 23 years of service to Jerusalem". Anadolu Ajansı. 2021-07-07. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  2. "Standing Committees". Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 1975-07-15. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  3. القويطي, سناء (2021-05-25). "مدير وكالة بيت مال القدس للجزيرة نت: المغرب يتكفل بنسبة 87% من مساهمات الدول.. وبلد عربي لم يقدم ما عليه منذ 2011 - أخبار القدس". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  4. Mayadeen, Al (2021-11-29). "Calls for Revoking Morocco Chairmanship of Al-Quds Committee". Al Mayadeen English. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  5. Zouiten, Sara. "Morocco's Bayt Mal Al Qods Agency Carried Out 200 'Major' Projects in Last 22 Years". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  6. Alsharif, Asma (2012-08-16). "Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Syria". U.S. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  7. "Islamic Solidarity Summit Releases Final Communiqué | The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". www.saudiembassy.net. Retrieved 2023-02-09.

Further reading
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