The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, lauded the directives in His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s speech on the occasion of the 67^th Anniversary of the “Revolution of the King and the People.”

King Mohammed VI reaffirmed that the battle against the COVID-19 is ongoing and includes all stakeholders in the campaign to face the pandemic. As the number of confirmed cases, critical cases, and fatalities tripled following the loosening of lockdown restrictions, the speech called on citizens to comply with health and sanitary measures including wearing protective masks, observing social distancing, and using hygiene and disinfection tools.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the forthrightness with which the monarch addressed Moroccans regarding the critical epidemiological situation in the country. He also hailed King Mohammed VI’s warning that the COVID-19 scientific committee could recommend a return to strict lockdown restrictions should infection cases continue to rise. “This reflects His Majesty’s concern for the health and safety of his citizens,” ICESCO’s DG added.

Dr. AlMalik praised the early mobilization of the Moroccan authorities and the precautionary measures since the beginning of the pandemic last March, namely the lockdown. The measure was a step to contain the virus and yielded results that received worldwide admiration.

King Mohammed VI stressed that this should encourage more precautionary measures to win the battle against the pandemic, especially amid the rise in the infection rates (from one case to 10 cases daily) among health workers.

Dr. AlMalik concluded that since the beginning of the pandemic, ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, has complied with the Moroccan authorities’ preventive measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Organization continues to apply the highest prevention standards to ensure the safety of its staff and visitors.