Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the fourth edition of the International Spiritual Forum of Moulay Ali Cherif, who was buried in Marrakech, organized by the Moulay Ali Cherif Al Mourrakouchi Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, Cadi Ayyad University, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Regional Academy of Education and Training in Marrakech, in cooperation with Mohammed V University in Rabat, on the topic: “The Spiritual Heritage of the Prophet’s Family: Fundamentals and Innovations in the Contemporary Era: Study and Evaluation.”

During the opening session of the forum held on Thursday (3 October 2024) at the Mohammed VI Museum of Water Civilization in Marrakech, Dr. Benarafa commended the topic of the Forum, which is held as part of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of culture in the Islamic world, noting that it is witnessing an intensive participation of a number of faculties, scholars and researchers from Morocco and several Arab, African and Western countries.

The Forum featured two scientific sessions to reflect upon the origins of the spiritual legacy of the noble Prophet’s family and the extent of its importance and manifestations among Moroccans, as well as its effects on the Moroccan Sufism and its enlightened influence in its African and human sphere.

The Forum concluded with a spiritual ceremony celebrating the birth anniversary of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Moulay Ali Sharif Prize for Scientific Studies and Research was also presented at its first founding session.