Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Mr. Li Changlin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Morocco, to explore prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and several Chinese institutions in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, 4 December 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters, Dr. AlMalik noted the success of the Silk Road International Conference, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Institute of Silk Road Strategy Studies (ISRSS) of the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). The Conference witnessed high-level participation of officials, professors and experts in the field.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, founded on openness and cooperation with all, to benefit its Member States and Muslim communities worldwide and promote communication between countries and the Islamic world, allowing non-member States to join as observers.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s efforts to shape and develop the skills of youth across all fields through its initiatives and programs, encourage them to delve into space sciences, modern technology, and entrepreneurship and promote dialogue and tolerance to build the societies we want and contribute to sustainable development.

For his part, the Chinese Ambassador lauded ICESCO for its efforts in its areas of expertise, noting the importance of this meeting to discuss future cooperation programs between ICESCO and various Chinese bodies in the fields of education, science and culture, thus bringing China and the Islamic world together.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted the International Silk Road Conference, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Institute of Silk Road Strategic Studies for Shanghai International Studies University, in China. The event witnessed a high-level participation of officials and ambassadors, as well as international experts and professors from several prestigious universities to present an ambitious and realistic vision of the new Silk Road.

The conference kicked off on Monday (December 4, 2023), with a general introduction by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue. Afterward, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, gave an address, wherein he stressed that the historic Silk Road demonstrates that China and the Chinese people have a longstanding heritage of will and intelligence in human interaction, as it stands as a witness to the rise and fall of many global powers, and constituted a pivotal link between different cultures and civilizations.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored the historical role of the Silk Road in facilitating stable commercial transactions that led to the development of political, economic and cultural relations between the Silk Road countries, stressing that the Hajj Road is an extension of the Silk Road in propagating culture and spreading the morals of peaceful exchanges, which ICESCO is seeking to revive through its joint project with the Saudi Ministry of Culture.

ICESCO Director-General added that China is taking the initiative once again through Chinese President Xi Jinping’s announcement of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that the conference comes within the framework of forward-looking and open civilizational dialogue, and affirms that the Islamic world and China share large areas of interest more than they differences they have.

In his address, Mr. Li Changlin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed that the historic Silk Road was not limited to trade exchange, it also included cultural and civilizational interactions, noting that the conference is an opportunity to open dialogue and discussion on topics that would strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance communication and cooperation between participating countries.

In her intervention, Dr. Ma Lirong, Dean of the Institute of Silk Road Strategic Studies, reviewed the Institute’s efforts on the Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, and the research and academic cooperation between the Institute and many organizations and institutions in the Islamic world.

The first working session, titled ‘New Silk Road and Chinese-African Relations,’ brought together international experts from Turkey, China and Morocco, followed by a session on the Silk Road’s cultural ties, which saw rich discussions between university professors and experts from Uzbekistan, Qatar and Morocco, in addition to a session on the travelogues of Ibn Battuta and the cultural exchange between the Islamic world and China.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Fatoumata Bah Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia, and her accompanying delegation, during her visit to ICESCO Headquarters, on Friday, December 1, 2023, to take part in the opening of the 6th edition of the Pioneering Women Oscar.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the First Lady to ICESCO and reviewed the main aspects of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its activities, programs and initiatives, particularly on capacity building and skills development for women and girls, stressing that they are top priority at ICESCO given their essential role in the development of societies throughout the Islamic world.

For her part, the First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia commended ICESCO’s efforts in developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, expressing her willingness to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Gambia in the implementation of joint programs and projects to support and develop basic education and combat school dropout among girls.

After the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took Ms. Fatoumata Bah Barrow on a tour of ICESCO Headquarters, where she learned about the Organization’s working mechanisms, its major programs and projects, and the development and modernization of its organizational structure.

Afterward, the First Lady of The Gambia visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO Headquarters, as part of a strategic partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL) and the Mohammadia League of Scholar.

The headquarters of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the opening of the sixth edition of the Women Pioneering Oscar, organized by Cultures Without Borders Association, in collaboration with ICESCO, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The event celebrated female leaders in Africa and drew the participation of high-profile figures, including prominent women, officials, experts, specialists, and representatives from various civil society organizations.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, started his opening remark by welcoming Ms. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia, as the guest of honor of this edition. Dr. Almalik affirmed that the empowerment of women and the pursuit of gender balance have consistently stood at the forefront of values essential for forming the foundation of Islamic civilization. Furthermore, he emphasized that achieving sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in societies is challenging unless the rights and well-being of women are secured comprehensively across all facets of life.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Women Pioneering Oscar is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and success stories of women, highlighting that ICESCO’s commitment to advancing women goes beyond mere rhetoric, it is a deeply rooted conviction actively put into practice. Moreover, he stressed ICESCO’s dedication to empowering women and girls and prioritizing their issues, as demonstrated by the Year of Women 2021, enhancing their contribution to building thriving societies. He also provided an overview of key programs launched and implemented by ICESCO in the fields of education, science, and culture for the benefit of women.

In her address, the First Lady of the Gambia expressed her joy at participating in the opening of the Women Pioneering Oscar and outlined prominent programs and initiatives she oversaw in supporting women, and children, improving their living conditions, and encouraging the education of girls in the Gambia.

Ms. Naïma Badaoui, President of Cultures Without Borders Association, affirmed that the sixth edition of the Women Pioneering Oscar aims to strengthen South-South cooperation and underscore the central role of African women in development.

Following the remarks, Ms. Badaoui presented an honorary shield to the ICESCO Director-General in appreciation of the Organization’s contributions to supporting women’s issues, empowerment, and enhancing their status in society.

Additionally, she presented another honorary shield to the First Lady of The Gambia, acknowledging her tireless efforts in supporting women and children.

Subsequently, three scientific sessions were held, discussing topics related to women’s contribution to health, the interplay between women’s rights and family matters, and the role of university education in cultivating women’s leadership capacities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), paid a visit to King Faisal University in the Republic of Chad, during which he was received by Dr. Mahamat Boukhari Hassan, Rector of King Faisal University. The two leaders held a meeting to explore prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the University in the field of Arabic language, translation, higher studies and scholarships.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, as part of the official visit of Dr. AlMalik to N’Djamena, reaffirmed the importance of keeping the momentum that marked the last two years of cooperation between ICESCO and the University and expressed their keenness for greater coordination to implement practical programs and projects in areas of mutual interests.

In the same vein, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, founded on leadership, excellence, continuous development, and international talent pooling, in addition to rehabilitating youth to cultivate future leaders.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO places the African continent at the heart of its major priorities, initiatives and programs, highlighting the recent developments in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), affiliated to ICESCO, to enhance its support to universities through the creation of a set of scientific chairs in different disciplines at prestigious universities in the Member States and beyond.

For his part, Dr. Mahamat Boukhari expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for ICESCO’s support, pointing out the University’s aspiration for further support, especially in academic skills and expertise necessary to open a doctoral program and in its endeavor to establish a university center for languages and translation as well as a faculty of graduate studies.

The meeting saw the presence of Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for External Centers and Academic Chairs on Arabic Language, in addition to a host of officials and deans of faculties at the University.

Prior to this meeting, Dr. AlMalik held a meeting at ICESCO’s Regional Educational Centre in N’Djamena with the alumni of the “Training Primary School Arabic Teachers in Chad” program, during which he affirmed ICESCO’s unwavering support for them and youth in general, evidenced by the Organization’s proclamation of 2023 as the Year of Youth, calling on students to work hard to assume leadership responsibilities and contribute effectively to the development of their country.