The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University signed a bilateral agreement to establish the “ICESCO Chair for Religious and Cultural Studies” within the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science at the University. The Chair aims to strengthen the study of religions and cultures on the basis of scientific research, foster mutual understanding and coexistence, and support social cohesion, given that religious and cultural diversity constitutes a shared heritage of humanity.

The Agreement was signed on Friday, 6 November 2026, in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Second International Conference on Al-Farabi and His Contributions Throughout Human History, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, under the theme “Philosophy, Virtue and the Future”.

The Agreement provides for strengthening scientific research through developing studies on religions, cultures, and dialogue; introducing the shared heritage of the Islamic world and Central Asia; and building capacities through the development of courses, training programs, and summer schools, as well as providing academic exchange opportunities for students, researchers, and specialists from ICESCO Member States. It also provides for fostering dialogue and communication through the organization of conferences and seminars to exchange expertise in the field of religious and cultural diversity.