The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), an organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening scientific and intellectual cooperation between the two parties in the areas of civilizational dialogue, coexistence, and combating hate speech and extremism.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, 30 April 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. The MoU was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the IIFA, in the presence of a number of ICESCO officials and members of the Academy’s delegation.

During the ceremony, Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of this MoU in broadening the horizons of institutional cooperation between the two parties and strengthening joint efforts to advance the values of dialogue, mutual understanding, and openness. For his part, Dr. Sano commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts in supporting its Member States within its areas of competence, and extended an invitation to Dr. AlMalik to attend the 27th session of the Academy’s Council Conference, scheduled to be held in Malaysia later this year.

The MoU provides for the exchange of knowledge resources, educational materials, and scientific publications, as well as the organization of specialized conferences and seminars on the foundations of constructive dialogue, the principles of coexistence, and the critique of the premises of the “clash of civilizations” and cultural conflict. It also includes exploring ways to address sectarian intolerance and religious extremism.

The Memorandum further covers cooperation in the publishing and translation of contemporary books and research related to the values of tolerance, moderation, openness, and acceptance of others, in addition to reviving and disseminating classical works that highlight the contribution of Islamic law to the consolidation of coexistence principles.

Prior to the signing, the two sides held a meeting to discuss ways to further develop their partnership within the framework of the MoU and expand coordination on intellectual and scientific issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the two parties also discussed ICESCO’s participation in a symposium that the Academy plans to organize in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next month on the role of religious leaders in combating violence against women, as well as the organization of joint scientific seminars and the exploration of cooperation prospects in a number of upcoming intellectual initiatives and programs.

The meeting and signing ceremony were attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; and Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.