Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), commended the 13th edition of the ” Madayn Heritage Festival”, being held in the historic city of Chinguetti, a cultural and scientific center that has promoted and preserved the values of its identity throughout the ages, much like the cities that have embraced the Islamic, Arab and African culture, to linger in human memory forever.

This statement came in his address, delivered during the first cultural evening of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”, on Friday evening (13 December 2024), in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, alongside Mauritanian ministers and senior officials, heads of international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture, and a large number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Nouakchott, as well as intellectuals, artists and the public at large.

ICESCO Director General said that cities are like flags, some of which have faded from the memory of history while others such as Mecca, Al Madinah, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Chinguetti still linger in our memory given their historic status as metropolises that must be preserved, maintained and revitalized.

He also pointed out that ICESCO undertakes this responsibility by promoting the areas of education, science and culture throughout the Islamic world, as illustrated by its Programme of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, and the concept of ICESCO Routes integrated with the Hajj Routes initiative, in line with the Organization’s mission, which considers that cities would be future ruins without civilizational vitality.
At the close of his address, Dr. Al-Malik shared his poem titled “Li Chinguetti Tuskabu al-Alhan,” written in celebration of this city as part of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”.

ICESCO Director General visited Chinguetti Historic Mosque, one of the city’s prominent heritage monument, representing a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and a meticulous architectural design. It was first founded in 160 AH in ancient Chenguitti, before it was rebuilt in its current location in 660 AH. The soft sand-covered ground of the mosque is still the worshippers’ carpet during their prayers.

During the visit, Dr. Al-Malik commended the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania aiming at preserving its tangible and intangible heritage, indicating that ICESCO has inscribed many historical sites and cultural elements of Mauritania on its Islamic World Heritage List.