Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ambassador Mohamed Ben Youssef, Director-General of the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored cooperation prospects in manuscript restoration, heritage protection, and strengthening the international presence of the Arabic language.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s contributions to heritage preservation, including the inscription of heritage sites and cultural elements, the safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage, and initiatives to transcribe African languages using the Arabic script.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s willingness to develop a joint program with the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to restore the historic Timbuktu manuscripts in Mali and implement activities aimed at raising awareness of shared figures and symbols between the Arab and African worlds.

For his part, Ambassador Ben Youssef commended the Organization’s efforts in recent years to advance initiatives and programs within its areas of competence. He underscored the Institute’s commitment to developing joint activities in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and promoting civilizational exchange among Arab and African cultures to disseminate the values of coexistence, tolerance, and peace among peoples.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO; Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; and Dr. Anas Husam Al-Nuaimi, expert at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.