The ICESCO Chair for Research and Pedagogical Innovation to Develop Arabic Education in Guinea organized an international seminar under the theme, “The Role of West African Scholars in Promoting Arabic Education, Anchoring Enlightened Islamic Thought, and Preserving Cultural and Civilizational Identity.” The event was held on November 3-4, 2025, at the headquarters of Al-Eamar University, in cooperation with national, regional, and international institutions, as well as universities and research centers in West Africa and France.

Organized within the framework of joint programs between ICESCO and the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to support the Arabic language in non-Arabic-speaking countries, the seminar aimed to highlight the pioneering role of West African scholars in disseminating and teaching Arabic, consolidating the values of moderation and tolerance, and safeguarding cultural identity in the face of contemporary challenges.

During the two-day seminar, which featured 38 research papers, participants recommended adopting precise educational and professional standards for the recruitment of teachers to ensure competence and high-quality performance. They also called for improving teachers’ living and professional conditions in recognition of their essential role in shaping individuals and anchoring values.

The recommendations further emphasized encouraging researchers and postgraduate students to prepare theses and dissertations on the lives and contributions of West African scholars to human civilization, support the scientific authentication of African manuscripts, and develop strategies to engage families who own manuscripts to raise awareness of their importance in preserving Islamic and cultural heritage.

The seminar was attended by His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Eid Al-Rashidi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Guinea, alongside a delegation from the Republic of Mali comprising seven university professors. The seminar also brought together numerous Arabic language teachers from Guinean universities and a host of religious leaders, scholars, and academics.