Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Monday, May 13, 2024, in the 4th International Symposium on the Spring of Social Sciences, themed “Migration and Values in the Context of Risks and Uncertainties: Contribution of Social Sciences”, organized by the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences at Mohammed V University, Al Akhawayn University, the Council of the Moroccan Community Living Abroad, and Ibn Khaldun Center for Migration and Citizenship Studies. The event witnesses a high-level presence of officials, prominent figures, and specialized researchers.

During the opening session of the three-day symposium, being held at the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University, in Rabat, Dr. Benarafa delivered ICESCO’s speech in which he touched on the phenomenon of immigration and its significant role in value changes and the promotion of cultural interaction between different ethnicities, thus contributing to civilizational building to reflect such cultural and value-based interaction.

ICESCO Deputy DG pointed out to the “International Day of Mercy” initiative, issued within the recommendations of ICESCO’s International Conference on the “Civilizational Values in the Prophet’s Seerah,”. The initiative had been approved by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in March 2022, and submitted to the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim April 21st of every year as the World Day of Mercy.

He also highlighted the cooperation and partnership agreement signed by ICESCO and the International Organization for Migration to implement a set of programs, projects and activities in migrant-related areas. The agreement also aims to raise awareness of the content of international conventions for safe and regular migration with to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.