Bank of Palestine, Welfare Association, Muna and Basem Hishmeh, Al-Eizariya and Khan Yunis municipalities and their partners within “Al-Bayyara” Parks project inaugurated the twenty-fifth and twenty sixth recreational parks within “Al-Bayyara” Parks project.
The Bank inaugurated the twenty-fifth in Al-Eizariya, in the presence of Dr. Hussein Araj, Minister of Local Government, Engineer Adnan Husseini, Minister and Governor of Jerusalem governorate, Mr. Musa Sha’er;, Mayor of Al-Eizariya, Mr. Basem Hishmeh, President of Muna and Basem Hishmeh Foundation, Mr. Rushdi Ghalayini, Bank of Palestine’s Deputy General Manager, Engineer Khaled Daoudi, Representative of Welfare Association, and Mrs. Fadwa Naji, Representative the Holy Land United Charitable Society in New Jersey / New York, in addition to a large group of attendees and residents of the area, and a group of officials from the Bank and partner institutions.
The park was established in Al-Eizariya with primarily funding from Bank of Palestine, Welfare Association, and Muna and Basem Hishmeh Foundation, through grants provided by the Holy Land United Charitable Society in New Jersey / New York, and BELEN 2000. The Arab Patriarchate Evangelical Episcopal generously donated a piece of its land to Al-Bayyara, which will be managed by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development / France (IECD).
At the beginning of the ceremony, Al-Eizariya’s Mayor welcomed the inauguration of the new park in town. He added that the park serves the children and the residents of town by creating an outlet for entertainment. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Bank and partner institutions for contributing towards the establishment of “Al-Bayyara” Parks project.
Mr. Rushdi Ghalayini from Bank of Palestine indicated that the inauguration of the new recreational park will provide a convenient and appropriate venue for children to play, away from narrow streets and dangerous sites. The park will contribute to a healthy upbringing to our children, and will help their creativity and innovation. He indicated that the park is another contribution from the Bank within its social responsibility programs. Mr. Ghalayini added that the Bank allocates 6% of its annual net profit to support development projects in the fields of education, health, culture, art, youth, women, humanitarian endeavors and others, in which “Al-Bayyara” Parks project is one of the most essential projects that have sustainable benefit to our children.
Mr. Basem Hishmeh indicated to the importance of these parks and their role in preserving the safety of our children. He emphasized on the importance of maintaining all parks that were established over the past years, in order to ensure the safety of children and guarantee the sustainable benefit of the parks. He confirmed that there will be more parks established to include various governorates of the country.
Mr. Khaled Daoudi from the Welfare Association indicated that “Al-Bayyara” Parks project is consistent with the Association’s strategy and community development objectives, particularly the development of infrastructure services program to serve the local community, and children in particular. He added that “Al-Bayyara” Parks project is a distinctive national project due to its capability to create safe venues for children to play and entertain themselves outside their homes, and provide a compatible location for parents to spend time with their children, in addition to strengthening the relationships within the community, between families who reside in the same neighborhoods. He thanked Bank of Palestine for its essential contributions to our community, and “Muna and Basem Hishmeh”, and all partners for their cooperation to establish this park.
Dr. Hussein Araj emphasized on the importance of local and economic development as an entrance to a comprehensive national development, which requires concerted efforts of all official and civil society components, confirming the ministry’s interest and support towards this development.
Engineer Adnan Husseini, Minister and Governor of Jerusalem governorate, stressed the importance of investing in the city and its suburbs, to preserve the Palestinian presence in the old city and its holy sites, which represents our identity and dignity.
The twenty-sixth park was inaugurated in Khan Yunis, in Al-Amal neighborhood in the city. The inauguration of the park was attended by Mr. Alaa Al Redwan, Bank of Palestine’s Deputy General Manager, Mr. Fadi Hindi, Director of Welfare’s Office in Gaza, the Palestinian artist, Mohammad Assaf, in which the park was named after him, and the Head of the International Relations Department at Khan Yunis Municipality, Mr. Hazem Darra, in addition to a group of institutions, and residents and children of the neighborhood.
Mr. Alaa Al Redwan, Bank of Palestine’s Deputy General Manager, thanked everyone who contributed towards the success of this project. He expressed his contentment for the continuous achievements of “Al-Bayyara” Parks project towards social responsibility as adopted by Bank of Palestine towards all members of our community. He added that the park was named after the artist Mohammad Assad, as a gesture of appreciation to him by Bank of Palestine and the partner institutions, as he is a symbol of pride for Palestine.
Mr. Fadi Hindi, Director of Welfare’s Office, confirmed the importance of “Al-Bayyara” Parks project in serving the Palestinian society. He indicated that this is a national project that serves children in Gaza Strip in particular, in which it alleviates their repression and provides secure recreational venues that preserve the safety of children.