The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, called for recognizing the major efforts of H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince of the Makkah Al-Mukkaramah Region, in promoting the Arabic language and spreading the Arab-Islamic culture. The DG stated that Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s works need to be academically documented and publicized, adding that extensive studies need to be conducted on the Prince’s intellectual, literary, and artistic materials.

Dr. AlMalik called for drawing inspiration from the factors of success and excellence in Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s intellectual and cultural endeavors to anchor an authentic identity that is founded on the Arabic language and the Arab-Islamic culture, and openness to other languages and cultures. He added that the balance between authenticity and openness in the Arab Islamic culture is the essence of the vision upon which the Prince’s intellectual, literary, and civilizational project is based. 

The DG made the statement during his participation in a videoconference on Tuesday, December 22. The King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia held the seminar, in cooperation with ICESCO and the Cultural Attaché Office at the Embassy of the Kingdom in Rabat. The seminar was held under the theme, “Efforts of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal in service of promoting the Arabic language and spreading the Arab culture.”

ICESCO DG moderated both academic sessions of the seminar. The event saw high-level participation including prominent religious and academic figures, and Saudi university presidents and faculty deans. His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Abdurahman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, General President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques; delivered his address during the first session along with Dr. Abdullah bin Salim Al-Mutani, Former Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council; and Dr. Mansoor bin Mohammad Al-Harthey, Director of the Academy of Arabic Poetry.

The speakers during the first session attested to the key features that characterize the Prince’s journey as a human, an intellectual, and an artist and his roles in defending Arabic and ensuring the language receive the due attention in our societies.

The second session saw addresses that Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, Former Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz International Center for Arabic Language (KAICAl); delivered along with Abdullah Owaiqil Al-Sulami, President of the Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club; and Prof. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabil, Secretary-General of King Faisal Award. The speakers highlighted the factors and reasons leading to elements of intellectual and literary excellence in Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s character.

At the close of the seminar, ICESCO DG pushes for the recognition, appreciation, and tribute from the Arabic language institutions, setting forth a suggestion to the General Secretariat of the King Faisal Award to present the Prince with the prominent international award. The step is in recognition for his leading efforts in service of the Arabic language and thought. Dr. AlMalik also commended the participants’ proposals to further publicize the prince’s efforts in the service of Arabic and expressed the Organization’s readiness to cooperate with King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia.