JD100m fund started to rebuild Jerusalem, supported by UJ

AMMAN — A JD100 million fund was created by the University of Jordan (UJ) and two Palestinian organisations on Sunday to advance scientific research and rebuild Jerusalem.

UJ, Al Quds University and the Munib R. Masri Development Foundation (MDF) launched the Jerusalem Loyalty Stock campaign to collect donations and support the holy city in response to the recurrent Israeli assaults.

During the launch, head of the namesake foundation, Munib R. Masri, announced the establishment of Jerusalem Endowment Fund through which the donations will be collected.

Masri thanked His Majesty King Abdullah for his efforts to protect Jerusalem and its sanctuaries, extending his gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Rania and the Lower House Palestine Committee for their efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause. Head of the Lower House Palestine Committee MP Yihya Saud attended the launch.

The campaign aims to support scientific research in Arab and Islamic universities, including UJ and Al Quds University, targeting research conducted by students who are Jerusalemites in particular and Palestinians in general, UJ President Ekhleif Tarawneh told The Jordan Times.

Moreover, he said the waqf fund aims to raise JD100 million in the next 10 years, and part of the money will be allocated to opening markets, creating  job opportunities and rebuilding the more than 5,000 year old city.

He announced that Masri donated JD1 million to encourage others to donate, noting that Each Jerusalem Stock is worth JD1. 

Tarawneh said that the Engineering and Development Group, chaired by Masri’s grandson, will also donate a JD100,000 each year to the fund. 

He added that the campaign looks forward to raising JD10 million by September next year, and UJ will utilise both its student union and public relations team “to spread the word to Arab and Islamic universities in order to raise more funds”.

UJ has a history of supporting Jerusalem students, as it offers a JD10,000 award to the best PhD thesis written on Jerusalem, and requires Jerusalem students to pay tuition fees equal to those paid by Jordanians. 

Tarawneh announced November 29 to be UJ’s annual day for solidaritry with Jerusalem.

Mohammad Habahbeh, a student at UJ, said he has high hopes for the campaign and will help spread the word and urge people to donate to the Jerusalem Endowment Fund, as well as publicise the Jerusalem Loyalty Stock.