His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, received a delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) at Baghdad Palace, headed by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, accompanied by Mr. Mohamed Ansari, Expert in the Culture Sector, and in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities.

During the Meeting, held on Tuesday 15 July 2025, discussions focused on ICESCO’s initiatives and programs, particularly those of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts. His Excellency the President of Iraq stressed the importance of caring for calligraphy and historical manuscripts, and the need to expand cooperation between the Center and Iraq. He affirmed that the relevant authorities in Iraq are committed to preserving, maintaining, and restoring manuscripts, as well as publishing, digitizing, and making them accessible to researchers and interested parties, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the society’s cultural content.

For their part, the ICESCO delegation expressed their gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iraq for his warm welcome and generous hospitality, and for his interest in enhancing cultural partnership with ICESCO. They reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness and willingness to strengthen its relations with Iraq in the areas of heritage preservation and valorization, as well as in supporting the foundations of the creative and knowledge-based economy.

The ICESCO delegation’s meeting with President Rashid came as part of an official visit to Baghdad, aimed at discussing the ongoing preparations for the launch of the celebration of Baghdad as a 2026 Culture Capital in the Islamic World, as part of ICESCO’s Program for Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World, launched by the Organization to celebrate cities distinguished by their rich cultural and civilizational heritage.