The coronavirus pandemic is a global crisis limiting human activity and communal interactions within societies. As physical separation becomes a byword among people in countries severely affected by the virus, it is important, under these circumstances, to counteract the deleterious effect of social distancing through the realms of technology such as the internet and electronic communications.    

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is intensifying its efforts to support the Islamic world countries struggling to find ways to stem the spread of the virus and overcome this pandemic. Along this line, considering partial and total lockdowns enforced in most of its Member States, ICESCO calls upon telecommunication companies and internet services providers in these countries to contribute to these efforts, as follows:

1. Provide free internet services in Member States to allow access to the digital teaching platforms;
2. Upgrade the digital infrastructure in rural and remote areas in the needy countries, ensuring accessibility of electronic services to its citizens.
3. Provide free digital teaching services for the benefit of refugees and displaced migrants in cooperation with the local competent authorities.

ICESCO extends special thanks to all institutions that have readily responded to this call and were proactive in taking such measures, while urging other concerned parties to follow suit.