Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation in the fields of heritage preservation and promotion and the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties.

During the meeting, held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the headquarters of Qatar Museums in Doha, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s vision, strategic orientations and key programs and initiatives geared towards safeguarding and promoting heritage in the Islamic world. He further explained that ICESCO’s efforts culminated in the creation of the Islamic World Heritage Center and the inscription of 724 sites and elements on the Organization’s heritage lists.

Dr. AlMalik also praised the strong cooperation between ICESCO and several Qatari institutions, noting that the Organization, in cooperation with the Qatari General Authority of Customs and Qatar National Library, will hold an international conference and workshop on promoting the role of customs in safeguarding cultural properties and countering their illicit trafficking. The event will be held at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat next June.

Likewise, the Director-General praised the regional and international efforts of Qatar Museums to safeguard heritage, promote civilizational dialogue, and highlight the rich and diverse history of the Islamic world.

For his part, Mr. Al Rumaihi commended ICESCO’s roles in preserving the heritage of the Islamic world, expressing his keenness to build a fruitful partnership with ICESCO in this regard.