Rabat: 23 June 2026
As part of its International Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the sixth session of its program “Artists of the World, Guests at ICESCO,” under the theme “Art, Music, and Cultural Management,” with the participation of a number of specialists and experts, marking World Music Day, observed annually on 21 June.

The meeting, held on Friday, 19 June 2026, was opened by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, who emphasized the importance of music and the arts in building societies, highlighting ICESCO’s role in promoting cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and dialogue among creators, academics, and professionals working in the cultural field.

Soprano Samira Kadiri, a specialist in Mediterranean musical heritage, delivered a presentation in which she reviewed the richness of historical interactions among Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean musical traditions, noting that music represents a unique space for intercultural dialogue. She also addressed her experience in opera singing, calling for the adoption of creative approaches that combine cultural authenticity with artistic innovation.
For his part, Dr. Fakher Hakima, Director of the Higher Institute of Music of Sousse, Tunisia, focused on the central role of higher artistic education in cultural development, stressing the need to strengthen links between academic institutions, creative sectors, and public policies, so that universities can serve as a genuine driver of cultural and economic development.

Mr. Mahmoud Lemseffer, a Moroccan expert in cultural management, highlighted the importance of music festivals in developing cultural and creative industries, fostering intercultural dialogue, and strengthening openness to the world. He also underlined the need to accord culture a more prominent place within public policies, strengthening mechanisms to support artists, and protecting copyright.

The meeting concluded with remarks by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts at ICESCO, who shed light on the importance of cultural geography in understanding the trajectories of artistic and musical influence and interaction within the Islamic world. He also referred to historical influences originating in Iraq that contributed to shaping musical traditions and enriching Andalusian heritage.