The twenty-first of March marks the annual celebration of World Poetry Day. On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), extended his congratulations to poets across the Islamic world, praising their generous contributions and noble creativity that have enriched life, preserved values, and reinforced the meanings of love, goodness, and beauty. He reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to maintaining continuous engagement with poets and ensuring that poetry receives the distinguished standing it merits as a great human art.

ICESCO recently established a dedicated Centre for Poetry and Literature, which is set to significantly contribute to advancing poetic and literary activity in the Islamic world. The Centre is implementing several projects, including “20 Moons in the Poetry Sky,” which focuses on publishing twenty collections by twenty female poets participating in the ICESCO Women Poets Forum, comprising more than two hundred poets. Other initiatives include the “Cities of Poems” contest, the quarterly ICESCO Cultural Magazine, and the ICESCO Youth Creators Camp.