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Al Quds Tours started ten years
ago, together with the Centre for Jerusalem Studies, in
the aim to walk along the streets and steps of the Old
City, visiting its holy sites, souqs, libraries, takyeh,
zawiyas, schools, cafes and its people. To complement
lectures and the reading lists on Jerusalem, Al Quds
alternative tours gives the opportunity to Al Quds
University students to learn about the city with
interaction, perhaps this gives a feeling of belonging
and pride of the rich civilizations which passed along
its history. The Centre later started organizing Al Quds
tours every Saturday morning, inviting the International
community to get to know the city's characteristics,
identity and details with a Palestinian perspective.
Today, the Centre is welcoming a school class of 60
pupils everyday. They come from Nablus, Ramallah,
Bethlehem, Hebron, Jaffa and Akka to visit Jerusalem.
Kids have to be under 15 ! otherwise they will not be
allowed by the Israeli checkpoints.
The idea of the Virtual Tours is a continuity of Al Quds
Tours. The principle aim to share Jerusalem with All !
All those who would like to visit the city, yet either
far away or today many ....denied entry !
The first phase of the project will show the major holy
sites and the gates of the city to symbolize entry to
the Old City.
ARIJ are our partners; they are offering the
geopolitical aspect of the city, while the Centre is
providing the video clips. With a limited time, I feel
good presenting the project, as a pilot. Please send us
your comments and we would love to continue improving
the website to allow you best to visit the details of
the city. This is a start....and will continue until we
have 200 and 9 sites to symbolize the starting year of
the project.
This project is supported by CCC in the context of Al
Quds the Arab Cultural Capital.
The Centre seeks funding to continue touring the other
sites, streets, souqs, cafes, mosques, churches and the
people living in the city today.
Huda al Imam
Director, Centre for Jerusalem Studies
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