His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Nouakchott.

At the outset of the meeting, which was held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, ICESCO Director-General (DG) expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to His Excellency the Mauritanian President for his generous patronage of the celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023, and his honor to preside over the launching ceremony of the celebration on Friday, January 6, 2023.

ICESCO DG also expressed his thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the Mauritanian government, the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and the Higher Committee for the celebration, in arranging and coordinating with ICESCO for the success of the celebration, noting the interest he had felt in the celebration since his arrival in Nouakchott.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main components of the new vision of the Cultural Capitals of the Islamic World Programme, which goes hand in hand with ICESCO’s priorities in anticipating the future, preserving and valorizing heritage in the Islamic world, encouraging innovation as well as investing in modern technology and its applications to achieve sustainable development.

He noted the importance of inscribing the Mahdara on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists and the Organization’s desire to introduce this experience of traditional education in Mauritania to the Islamic world countries and beyond.

For his part, His Excellency the Mauritanian President commended the development and modernization that ICESCO has witnessed in recent years, noting that His Excellency is following the Organization’s efforts in supporting its Member States, including Mauritania, in the fields of education, science and culture.

His Excellency the Mauritanian President also commended ICESCO’s efforts in inscribing historical sites and cultural elements on its Islamic World Heritage Lists, and the Organization’s awareness of cultural diversity in Mauritania when inscribing these sites.