The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 15th issue (March 2024) of the magazine, “Le Jardin des Hespérides,” with an article on “Tangible Heritage in Times of Crisis,” published by the Moroccan Society of Archeology and Heritage (SMAP), chaired by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa. This issue was released in a special celebration at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat with the participation of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO.

ICESCO contributed to this recent issue with an article on its efforts to safeguard heritage in the Islamic world. The article demonstrates the importance of heritage, its preservation, protection, and the restitution of its looted elements. Moreover, the article points out that ICESCO, considering heritage as one of its priorities within its action plan and new vision, has created its Islamic World Heritage Center to preserve and protect heritage, promote cultural diversity and ensure its optimal use.

Recognizing the importance of heritage, the article reviews several of the ambitious initiatives and projects launched by ICESCO to ensure its preservation, valorization, documentation, restoration and rehabilitation, including the initiative to protect heritage sites and museums against the impact of climate change and the initiative to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property. These projects also concern ICESCO’s use and promotion of modern technologies, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and metaverse in the field of heritage, the convening of several major international events on intangible heritage, and the joint nomination file to inscribe African Games on the Islamic World Heritage List and the World Heritage List with the participation of several African countries.