Organizations on the Ground

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To promote sustainable development and enhance self-reliance in Palestine, the Applied Research Institute—Jerusalem (ARIJ) focuses on natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, urban development, and advocacy. ARIJ conducts research on land use, water management, environmental planning, agro-industry, and more. The organization’s projects range from improving farming and olive mill waste treatment to enhancing food security in marginalized communities. It regularly produces environmental monitoring data, reports, and mapping tools to inform policymaking and development planning, while also monitoring Israeli settlement expansion, land expropriation, demolitions, and environmental degradation. 

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The library is located inside al-Haram al-Sharif (al-Aqsa Mosque compound). Its collection of monographs, periodicals, and manuscripts includes 10,000 titles, including 200 rare titles. The books are on Islamic religion and history and on Arabic language and literature; the library holds more than 70 Arabic-language newspapers and journals, published in Palestine and other Arab countries, as well as a selection of periodicals published by Arab communities in Europe and North and South America. The library consists of a section located between al-Qibli Mosque and the Islamic Museum and houses a children’s section; and a second section, the Khatniyya Library, under the al-Qibli Mosque.

The children’s section is divided into three collections: scientific encyclopedias, educational books, and entertainment books. The Khatniyya Library has many collections. Among its most important books are the following: Quranic exegesis, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), the Shafi‘i legal school, Arabic language and its literature, and history of Palestine.

To learn more, read our in-depth organizational profile here.  

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Established in 1932, the Arab Blind Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals. The association offers educational programs, vocational training, and employment opportunities and aims to promote self-confidence and social integration. It also advocates for the civil rights of the blind community and collaborates with local and international institutions to improve services.

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Established in 1942, the Arab Orthodox Union Club Jerusalem is a community hub for members, friends, and supporters. It fosters camaraderie and oversees the club’s Scout Group, which focuses on holistic youth development through scouting, aimed at instilling leadership, outdoor skills, and teamwork. Through community service projects and cultural exchanges, the scouts enrich their personal growth and cultural understanding.