As part of the celebration of International Literacy Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Moroccan Manahile Games, held an international symposium titled: “Learning by Playing: Board Games as Tools for Education, Spiritual and Socio-Cultural Preservation.” The Symposium featured high-level participation from senior officials, education experts, and representatives of relevant international organizations, as well as 150 students who interacted with a special presentation of a board game designed to educate about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Symposium, held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, aimed to highlight the educational and cultural value of games as tools for learning and to demonstrate their educational benefits in the areas of literacy and critical thinking. It also aimed to promote dialogue between teachers, cultural experts, and game designers on integrating games into educational contexts and to provide students with practical experience within the framework of learning through playing games.

The opening session of the Symposium began with a speech by Dr. Salim Al-Malik, ICESCO’s Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO’s Centre for Civilizational Dialogue. In his speech, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed ICESCO’s belief in the pivotal role of educational games in learning. He stressed the need to invest in the research and development of such games, integrate game-based learning in school curricula, and forge partnerships with innovators and game developers. He also emphasized the importance of empowering young people to produce games and to enhance their knowledge and innovation.

Then, Mr. Waqas Afridi, education expert at ICESCO, presented ICESCO’s strategic vision for education, highlighting its promotion of games as an educational tool for knowledge acquisition.

Dr. Amin El-Majhad, educational game designer and president of Manahile Games, reviewed an international analysis of 27 studies that confirmed the role of educational games in improving children’s knowledge and cognitive functions, enhancing their motivation, and developing their social relationships.

This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, which addressed the challenges and opportunities offered by digital and non-digital educational games and the integration of game-based learning in schools. Ms. Sey emphasized the collective responsibility to reimagine educational models in order to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of education.

The session was attended by prominent representatives from the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Primary Education and Sports, the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Hassan II Mosque Foundation, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the British Council, who emphasized the importance of international partnerships to support educational transformation through alternative methods toward quality learning.

The Symposium also included an interactive workshop in which 150 students participated, featuring a live presentation of an educational board game about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).