The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, received on January 29, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Arabic calligraphy artist Dr. Mohamed Maghraoui, Professor of Medieval Civilization and History at Mohammed V University in Rabat and Abu Dhabi, Chairman of the National Committee for the Organization of the Mohammed VI Prize for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy in Morocco, to explore cooperation in the field.

Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO, and Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to the DG, also attended the meeting that examined the arrangements for setting up the jury of the ICESCO Virtual Prize for Calligraphy, Patterns, and Miniatures and its working mechanism. ICESCO launched the Prize in November 2020, in celebration of Islamic Art Week, with the application deadline set on February 23, 2021.

The meeting touched on the importance of organizing training workshops in Arabic calligraphy and decoration arts for young people, as part of ICESCO’s vision to support the youth, enhance talents and creativity in the field of Arabic calligraphy and ensure its sustainability as an intangible cultural heritage.

Dr. Maghraoui appreciated ICESCO’s distinguished work and the prizes it has launched to support Arabic calligraphy artists and showcase their works. He underscored that the Organization’s virtual prize allows all calligraphers and visual artists to reveal their artistic talents in calligraphy and patterns using virtual technology.