Under the patronage of his Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas "Abu Mazen," the closing ceremony of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture in 2009 was concluded at HRH Prince Turki Theatre on Thursday. The event was attended by HE President Mahmoud Abbas.  The ceremony was also attended by their Excellencies the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.  Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An Najah National University, representatives of religious communities, Palestinian cabinet ministers and members of the central committee of Fatah movement, members of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization also attended the event.

At the beginning of the celebration, Prof. Hamdallah welcomed President Mahmoud Abbas.  He said that that the conclusion of the activities of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture in Nablus is important to show our support for Jerusalem.  He added that it is important to put Jerusalem at the center of attention.  In this context, the University organizes several activities on Jerusalem.
In his speech, Dr. Rafiq Husseini, Chief of the Administrative Board of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture 2009, talked about the projects and tasks accomplished this year in the city of Jerusalem and the country.  He thanked all sides that have contributed to the celebrations and he also thanked President Abbas and the Palestinian government for their overwhelming support.  He thanked the Arab and foreign countries that  provided support and assistance for the celebrations. 

President Abbas said that Jerusalem is suffering an unprecedented settlement attack aimed at eliminating its identity, separating it from its surroundings and suffocating every activity in order to achieve one goal, which is expulsion, and this will not be allowed to happen. “There is no Palestine without Jerusalem no one will accept this. Without Jerusalem there will be no peace,” he also said.

 He also issued an appeal for unity among Palestinian factions. “If we continue not to have an agreement because of factional interests, this will deepen division and will allow the West Bank to be turned into cantons which will lead to a temporary, divided state.”
President Mahmoud Abbas stressed that East Jerusalem will be the capital for the future Palestinian state. "Today, we are celebrating Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture and no one can vie with us there.  Jerusalem is ours and will remain for us and would remain the capital of the Palestinian state," President Abbas said.  President Abbas passed the torch and then handed over to the Scouts of Palestine Crescent of Jerusalem to announce the conclusion of the events of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture for 2009. The cultural event also featured music, poetry, and a dance performance. The highlight was a performance by Tunisian singer Lotfi Bushnaq.