Under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded the activities of Rabat Celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, in an outstanding ceremony held at the Mohammed V Theater in the Moroccan capital after a year of distinguished activities.

The ceremony took place on Monday, May 1, 2023, with the presence of high-profile Moroccan government officials, ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom, public figures, writers, thinkers, artists and the general public.

The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in coordination with ICESCO, kicked off with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem of the Kingdom of Morocco.

In his address, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, stated that after a year of distinguished cultural and artistic activities, the closing of Rabat Celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, is an occasion to highlight the efforts aimed at making Rabat a metropolis at the international level.

He commended the great cooperation between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and ICESCO, which resulted in the organization of several activities as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, as well as the inscription of 27 Moroccan heritage elements on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication concluded his address by expressing his gratitude to all parties who contributed to the success of this celebration, congratulating the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on ICESCO’s declaring Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, began his address by commending the beautiful and calm city of Rabat, describing it as a cultivated city, where its history is a book, its present is a word and its future is sciences surpassing horizons as millions of radiant stars shining with tales of heritage and science.

He noted that Rabat did not only win the honor of the title of Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, but also the hosting of the International Museum and Exhibition of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters, which was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay El Hassan, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Morocco, may God protect him, and was visited by nearly one-and-a-half million visitors in five months. As a result, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, approved the extension of this great scientific event for another six months.

ICESCO Director General reviewed several key activities held during the celebration of Rabat as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, which amounted to 260 activities, and announced that the city of Marrakech will be the Culture Capital of the Islamic World for 2024.

He expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, may God assist him, and to His Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay El Hassan, and to the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and all Moroccan ministries, institutions, bodies, associations and individuals, who did not hesitate to contribute to this celebration.

After Dr. AlMalik concluded his address with some poetic verses that he composed in appreciation and honor of the peaceful city of Rabat, a documentary film was screened documenting the key stages of Rabat Celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, as well as the most important activities that were organized over the year.

After that, an art show entitled: The Journey of the Poet Abu Al-Hassan Al-Shushtari began with the participation of the artists Samira Al-Qadri, Said Belkadi, Karima Skalli, and Bahaa Ronda who performed some of his poems and muwashshahs, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra conducted by the artist Samir Tamim, and the Andalusian Music Choir conducted by Mr. Amin Al-Dubbi, with the participation of the artist Rachid Zeroual, and the musician Mustafa Matar from Lebanon.