The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science held the first coordination meeting of the “Hajj Routes to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Historical Mosques” Program. The meeting saw broad participation from approximately 40 ICESCO Member States, represented by ministries of cultural heritage, national commissions, and institutions responsible for mosques and historical monuments. The discussions focused on finalizing arrangements for the official launch of the program.

The meeting, held on Monday, 17 March 2025, via videoconferencing, commenced with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO. In his remarks, he emphasized that the program embodies the true spirit of Islam and reinforces Makkah’s status as a global symbol of fraternity and intercultural dialogue. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored that this meeting represents a significant step toward safeguarding and preserving the cultural and Islamic heritage passed down through the ages along these historical routes. He also highlighted the pivotal role of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center in this endeavor.

Dr. AlMalik explained that the program aims to strengthen the connection between past and present generations while promoting a comprehensive vision for sustainable cultural tourism. This will be achieved by developing tourist routes that link heritage sites across the Islamic world, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore various aspects of Islamic culture. Dr. AlMalik added that the program seeks to integrate modern technologies into these efforts by leveraging online platforms to support heritage routes, establishing digital museums, and developing marketing networks to enable local communities to benefit from these initiatives.

Following Dr. AlMalik’s address, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, moderated the meeting, which featured a presentation by Dr. Bilel Chebbi, an expert at ICESCO’s Heritage Center in the Islamic World. Dr. Chebbi’s presentation outlined the program’s objectives, significance, and impact on cultural tourism and the cultural economy. He also discussed the steps taken in classifying and inscribing sites and monuments, as well as the roles of national authorities in the program.

The meeting also included rich discussions among the attendees regarding the next steps for the implementation of the program and the initial proposals by national bodies and partners in this regard.