RAMALLAH, February 26, 2025, WAFA – Representatives from several governorates signed on Wednesday multiple agreements aimed at constructing schools and establishing educational and health projects, with financial backing from Palestinian businessman Hammad Hassan Al-Harazeen and under the patronage of President Mahmoud Abbas.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ramallah Municipality Hall, in coordination and partnership with the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate.
The agreements encompassed a variety of developmental projects, most notably the establishment of the Hammad Al-Harazeen Faculty of Technology at Al-Quds University, and the Hammad al-Harazeen Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Bethlehem University.
Additionally, the agreements included the construction of six model schools across different regions in the West Bank, including the Hassan Al-Harazeen Secondary School for Boys in Hebron’s town of Dura, Subha Al-Harazeen Mixed Secondary School in Tulkarem, Hassan Al-Harazeen Secondary School in Tubas, Hammad Hassan Al-Harazeen Mixed Secondary School in Salfit, Subha Al-Harazeen Mixed School in Beit Furik southeast of Nablus, and Hassan Al-Harazeen Mixed Secondary School in Jenin.
Furthermore, the agreement included the establishment of two healthcare clinics: Subha Al-Harazeen Clinic in Deir ‘Ammar in Ramallah and Subha Al-Harazeen Clinic in Qabatiya in Jenin.
During the signing ceremony, the Ramallah Municipality awarded businessman Hammad Hassan Al-Harazeen the Key to Ramallah Municipality certificate, making him the fourth individual to receive this honor. Previously, this recognition had been granted to three notable figures: former French President Jacques Chirac, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan—the first African president to visit Ramallah—and former Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe, in acknowledgment of his role in fostering ties between the municipalities of Ramallah and Paris. The award was presented by Salah Haniyeh, Deputy Mayor of Ramallah Municipality, in the presence of the Governor of Ramallah and Al-Bireh Laila Ghannam, along with several ministers and officials.
In his speech during the event, businessman Al-Harazeen expressed his deep gratitude for the love and support he has received from the simple Palestinian people, emphasizing that, “We must all succeed in this mission to provide education and healthcare for our people.”
He recounted the hardships he endured during the forcible displacement from Shuja'iyya in 1948, emphasizing that through hard work and determination, he has reached this point. 'I pursued my education, and today, I am serving my people.'"
For her part, the Governor of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Laila Ghannam, praised the significant contributions of the Al-Khair Foundation (AKF), the third largest Muslim charity in the United Kingdom, affirming that it is a Palestinian institution with a Palestinian identity. She expressed gratitude to the foundation and to every patriotic individual who contributes to building the nation.
She extended her heartfelt appreciation for Al-Harazeen’s unwavering dedication and continuous donations to Palestine, describing him as a resilient man who defied the odds and remained firmly rooted in his homeland. She further noted that his generosity to Palestine has not been limited to this project but has spanned many years.
Ghannam underscored that supporting Palestine and strengthening its people’s resilience is the duty of all those who have dedicated their lives to this land.
She announced that two modern medical clinics will be established in Jenin, and Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate as part of the projects. She emphasized that these clinics are just the beginning, serving as the foundation for additional facilities across all governorates, ensuring they meet the standards that the Palestinian people deserve.
She added that these developmental initiatives come at a time when more than 25 projects financed by Al-Harazeen in Gaza have been destroyed. Despite this devastation, he has not wavered in his commitment but remains determined to continue his work, she stressed.
Ghannam affirmed that Al-Harazeen, a Palestinian from Shuja'iyya, left but remains deeply connected to Gaza. She added that he plans to launch new projects in Gaza, starting with the renovation and restoration of Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital and churches.
Similarly, Ashraf Al-Sharif, representing the Al-Khair Foundation under Al-Harazeen’s leadership, expressed his deep gratitude for the warm reception, emphasizing that supporting education and healthcare in Palestine had once been a mere dream but has now transformed into a tangible reality through these agreements.
He stated that these initiatives constitute a genuine investment in the minds of Palestinian children, fostering a generation capable of driving change and striving toward the liberation of their homeland.
Al-Sharif stressed that this investment underscores the necessity of equipping students with the right tools to achieve global excellence within Palestine by fostering a new educational approach—one that prioritizes intellectual growth and innovation over traditional methods.
For his part, Amjad Barham, Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education, affirmed that Hammad Al-Harazeen embodies the essence of a patriotic Palestinian committed to his homeland. He pointed out that Al-Harazeen seeks to establish schools that nurture talented students and offer them advanced educational opportunities. Barham highlighted that these projects come at a time of intensified assaults on the education sector, particularly the denial of students in Gaza their fundamental right to education. He stressed that these agreements are not merely financial contributions but a profound national statement, reflecting Al-Harazeen’s unwavering devotion and loyalty to Palestine.
Barham expressed deep gratitude for this generous initiative, highlighting that these projects are entirely funded by Palestinians and aim to nurture an educated generation capable of advancing state institutions and fostering a pioneering scientific and technological society.
Meanwhile, Salah Haniyeh, Deputy Mayor of Ramallah, described these agreements as a pivotal step toward advancing development and investment in Palestinian cities. He emphasized that these projects exemplify a remarkable model of fruitful collaboration between expatriate Palestinian business leaders and their homeland. He reaffirmed that Palestine remains a fertile ground for generosity and progress.
He added that today’s signing encompasses support for the urgent needs of the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide, assaults and forced displacement campaigns in the West Bank and Gaza. He highlighted Al-Harazeen’s profound imprint across various cities in Palestine, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to a legacy of generosity, development, construction and reconstruction. His efforts continue to serve the needs of citizens through ministries, universities, institutions and municipalities across multiple governorates, added the Deputy Mayor of Ramallah.
Echoing this sentiment, Archbishop Atallah Hanna extended a greeting from Jerusalem to Al-Harazeen, emphasizing that, “Jerusalem awaits you, as you are not coming as a visitor, but to your homeland, city and sacred sites.”
He stated that despite the destruction they face, Palestinians persist in rebuilding and reconstructing, rejecting any culture of despair or surrender.
He affirmed that Palestine, with its Christian and Muslim heritage, will remain united against all attempts at division. He concluded by asserting that Jerusalem will forever be the capital of Palestine and a symbol of its unity and resilience.
T.R.
