Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), began his visit to Senegal with a meeting with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. During his visit, Dr. AlMalik participated in the closing ceremony of the Fourth Session of the Quranic Schools.
During the meeting held on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Dakar, the two sides discussed areas of mutual cooperation and ways to strengthen the partnership between ICESCO and Senegal in education, culture, and science.
Mr. Sonko commended ICESCO’s programs and projects that benefit Senegal, emphasizing the importance of developing this cooperation and building a distinguished strategic partnership that serves national priorities in these fields.
For his part, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that Senegal is one of ICESCO’s distinguished Member States and praised the level of existing cooperation between the two sides.
Mr. Sonko also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to settling its arrears, thereby enabling it to benefit more fully from ICESCO’s programs and opportunities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting joint programs and ICESCO’s interest in strengthening the role of Quranic Schools and implementing the recommendations issued by the Fourth Session of the Quranic Schools.
Senegal’s Minister of National Education, Mr. Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, attended the meeting.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, the Second International Conference on Cancer Research (MCRS 2026) opened on Monday, 30 March 2026, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. The event is organized in partnership with Moulay Ismail University in Morocco and the Moroccan Association for Cancer Research, under the theme “Translational Research in Support of Clinical Advances,” with the participation of 180 researchers and specialists from 10 countries. It aims to highlight the crucial role of translational science in transforming laboratory findings into practical clinical applications.
During the opening session of the three-day conference, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, affirmed in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, that the Organization is guided by the principle of making science serve humanity and accessible to all. He stressed that ICESCO builds bridges of communication and cooperation between the global North and South to enhance the exchange of expertise and accelerate health solutions.
Dr. AlMalik noted that ICESCO has accumulated significant experience in supporting scientific research, particularly in health sciences. He emphasized that the Organization’s work goes beyond research funding to investing in people and building capacities, including support for training programs in human genome analysis, based on the conviction that prevention begins with knowledge.
For his part, Dr. Aboubakr Bouyaad, President of Moulay Ismail University, stated that hosting this event reflects growing recognition of the importance of translational research as a cornerstone of medical progress. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering an academic environment grounded in openness and innovation.
Dr. Lhoussain Hajji, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Moulay Ismail University, underlined that the conference seeks to promote scientific exchange and develop new strategies to improve patient recovery prospects. Dr. Mouad Edderkaoui, Adjunct Professor at the University of California, highlighted that scientific research and collaboration among researchers constitute two fundamental pillars for transforming the challenge of combating cancer into a pathway for progress.
Dr. Saber Boutayeb, Director of the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, warned against delays in translating scientific findings related to cancer research into practical applications. Dr. Taoufiq Fechtali, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at Moulay Ismail University, stressed that strengthening cooperation among researchers helps accelerate the transformation of scientific knowledge into solutions that improve treatment outcomes.
The first session of the conference was moderated by Dr. Adel Smeda, Supervisor of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, with the participation of four international experts in the medical and oncology fields. The session featured specialized presentations and interactive discussions on the latest developments in translational research and clinical innovation in cancer treatment.
The first day also featured a presentation by Dr. Stephen Pandol, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, on modern approaches to cancer prediction and treatment outcome assessment. He highlighted the role of predictive models and clinical data in improving early diagnosis accuracy and guiding therapeutic decisions toward the most suitable options for each case, drawing strong engagement from attending experts and physicians.
The conference program includes a series of scientific and discussion sessions addressing key topics such as immunotherapy in cancer recovery, evolving cancer control models in Morocco, targeted radiotherapy biology, and prospects for developing clinical research.
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.
In these blessed days marking Eid al-Fitr celebrations across the Muslim world, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced that it had received a gracious royal directive from the esteemed Moroccan Royal Office to maintain the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Rabat, and to establish it permanently at ICESCO headquarters. This decision reflects the recognition of the Fair’s remarkable cultural impact, as it has welcomed more than ten million visitors since its launch in November 2022, representing diverse groups of citizens, tourists, and guests of the Organization.
The project is the outcome of a strategic partnership bringing together the Muslim World League, ICESCO, and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, within joint efforts to promote the Prophet’s seerah and highlight the richness and humanistic values of Islamic civilization.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that this royal directive is a badge of honor for all those contributing to this partnership. Dr. AlMalik stressed that it also serves as a distinguished incentive to intensify efforts to safeguard the landmarks of Islamic civilization, especially as the year 2026, according to a royal directive in the Kingdom of Morocco, marks the celebration of the 1500th anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s birth.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded the activities of its Ramadan Gathering, “Excellence in Vicegerency (Istikhlaf),” on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, held at its headquarters in Rabat throughout the holy month of Ramadan in cooperation with the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco. The session featured a lecture by Dr. Khadija Abouzid, Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, titled “When the Balance of Values Is Disrupted.”
The closing session was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, a number of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, members of the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as intellectuals and specialists in spiritual and educational affairs.
The session opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by young reciter Zayd El Bakkali, winner of the “Child Hafiz” Award in Morocco, followed by a poem recited by young reciter “munshida” Abeer Al Mahboubi. Dr. AlMalik then presented both children with honorary awards in recognition of their excellence in Qur’an memorization and recitation.
Dr. Yousra Bint Hussain AlJazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Group, delivered an introductory address in which she emphasized that history demonstrates that the fall of civilizations stems from losing the compass of values that governs human behavior, noting that sound reason and moral integrity are the true measures of individual worth and the foundation of thriving societies, which calls for reflection on how to elevate human values so they move from theoretical knowledge to tangible behavior and impact.
She added that the lecture would focus on Qur’anic principles guiding human conduct, the Qur’anic perspective on Vicegerency values, ways to translate theoretical principles into practical behavior, and the role of role models in instilling Vicegerency values among youth.
Dr. Abouzid began her lecture by highlighting the foundations of responsible human existence from an Islamic perspective: faith in God, ethical conduct, and responsibility toward society. Through these pillars, she explained, individuals become capable of fulfilling their life mission and serving as catalysts for positive change in their societies.
She added that human behavior in Islam is guided by a holistic system of values that shapes a balanced character in one’s relationship with God, the self, and the community. Acts of worship that cultivate inner discipline help anchor these values until they become daily practice, especially when youth and society at large can look to exemplary figures who embody these principles.
The session included a rich discussion among participants. Dr. AlMalik commended Dr. Abouzid for her contributions throughout the gathering’s sessions, noting that her insights had enriched the theme of “Excellence in Vicegerency (Istikhlaf)” and opened new horizons that illuminated previously overlooked dimensions.
The event concluded with Dr. AlMalik and Ms. Rania Shobaki, Chairwoman of the Group, presenting honorary shields to Dr. Abouzid, Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the ICESCO Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector at ICESCO, Qur’an reciter Hassnae Khoulali, and Mr. Ala Mula Al-Dwailah from the Office of the Director-General, in addition to several ICESCO sectors, divisions, and departments for their contributions to the Gathering’s success.
Benali: Women are Active in Fields of Science, Education, and Culture
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a major celebration on Thursday, 12 March 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, to mark International Women’s Day under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” aimed at promoting awareness of the contributions of women and girls within society and the importance of strengthening their capacities across various fields.
The event opened with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, in which he conveyed greetings to all women. He noted that the civilization of the Islamic world has, since its earliest days, honored women, upheld their rightful status, and laid the foundations for the achievements witnessed today, where women serve as pioneers and leaders occupying the highest positions of influence.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ICESCO places women’s issues at the core of its priorities, reflected in women holding fifty percent of leadership positions within the Organization. He affirmed that ICESCO has a clear vision in which women are accorded full dignity and occupy leadership roles commensurate with those of men.
For her part, Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed the particular importance of the celebration’s theme, as it places women’s roles in building, development, and influence at the center of discussion. She underlined that women in the Islamic and Arab world are active in science, education, culture, and action and reform, and she reviewed Morocco’s national efforts to empower women and strengthen their dignity and status.
The ceremony then featured a screening of a short film titled “Women Making Impact,” followed by verses of Prophetic praise, and a high-level panel discussion moderated by Dr. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector at ICESCO. The session included the participation of Dr. Yousra bint Hussein AlJazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to Morocco, who emphasized the importance of supporting women’s success stories, which reach their full impact when transformed into sustained contributions that open broader opportunities for other women.
Dr. Yousra AlJazairy noted that women’s experiences across the Islamic world vary, with some having access to education and leadership opportunities, while others continue striving to obtain them. She called for narrowing the gaps in education and empowerment.
In her intervention, H.E. Mawadda Omar Haj Al-Toam, Ambassador of Sudan to Morocco, affirmed that Islam advocates equality in rights, referencing several stages in Islamic civilization during which women assumed leadership roles.
Dr. Sadia Faizunnesa, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Morocco, reviewed her country’s efforts to promote girls’ education, considering it essential for women’s economic, social, and leadership development and a driver of sustainable development.
The celebration concluded with an exchange of commemorative shields between Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Benali. Following this, ICESCO’s Director-General presented commemorative shields to Dr. AlJazairy, H.E. Mawadda Omar Haj Al-Toam, H.E. Sadia Faizunnesa, and Dr. Almamy Mbaye in recognition of their efforts to advance women’s roles in various fields.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, Ambassador Yu Jinsong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the Organization and China in the fields of education, science, culture, and civilizational dialogue.
At the beginning of the meeting, held at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Ambassador Yu Jinsong on her appointment as China’s Ambassador to Morocco, wishing her success in her mission. He stressed the Organization’s commitment to enhancing its distinguished partnership with China, which has resulted in the implementation of several activities, programmes, and conferences in the fields of civilizational exchange and heritage preservation. The most recent initiative was a cultural celebration hosted at ICESCO Headquarters on the occasion of the Chinese Spring Festival 2026, featuring performances that reflected the harmony between Islamic civilization and Chinese culture.
Dr. AlMalik noted that, in line with ICESCO’s approach of openness, the Organization offers non-Member States the opportunity to join as “Observer Members,” extending an invitation to the Chinese side to participate with a high-level delegation in ICESCO’s General Conference scheduled for next May, which the Ambassador welcomed.
For her part, Ambassador Yu Jinsong affirmed her country’s keenness to strengthen its outstanding partnership with ICESCO in the fields of education, science, culture, and the exchange of expertise and knowledge in technology and civilizational communication.
Ambassador Yu Jinsong also delivered to Dr. AlMalik an official letter from Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), reaffirming ICESCO’s pivotal role in enhancing cooperation between the Islamic world and China in the fields of culture, science, education, youth, and the deepening of civilizational dialogue.
The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation; Osama Heikal, Head of the Sector of Media and Communication; Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Director General’s Office and Supervisor of the Sector of Strategy and Institutional Excellence; Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of the Islamic World Heritage Center; and Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence.
The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, the third session of the Ramadan Gathering “Excellence in Vicegerency (Istikhlaf),” organized by ICESCO, in cooperation with the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco. During the event, Dr. Khadija Abouzid, Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, delivered a lecture titled “From Screen to Testimony: The Art of Making an Impact,” in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, a number of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, members of the Group, and a distinguished audience interested in intellectual and spiritual affairs.
The meeting kicked off with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Yousra Aljazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Group. She underscored that human awareness is reflected in one’s understanding that life on earth is not a silent passage but an enduring imprint that bears witness for or against its maker. She added that humans were honored not only with reason, knowledge, or capability, but also with the unique ability to create impact through conscious choice.
Dr. Aljazairy emphasized that the essence of vicegerency lies not in the act itself but in its lingering mark, stressing that vicegerency is not a granted privilege but a responsibility to create meaningful impact. She noted that every human being, willingly or unwillingly, leaves a trace, citing the noble Seerah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who reshaped human consciousness, leaving a living presence in the human conscience more than fourteen centuries later.
Dr. Abouzid then explained the precise meaning of “impact” as the mark that endures in hearts, emotions, and minds after a person’s departure. She affirmed that the essence of human existence is tied to relationships and to the impact one leaves within one’s surroundings. This was evident, she noted, in the early years of the Islamic call, when the Prophet, peace be upon him, focused on spiritual and psychological development before rituals and obligations, an approach that should guide the upbringing of children within the family, prioritizing faith and ethics to nurture responsible individuals capable of self-accountability in their relationship with Allah Almighty and with others.
She stressed that modern technologies have become essential tools in daily life and should be used to generate positive impact and good practices in digital interactions. She outlined several principles for doing so, including knowing Allah, sincerity in action, positive expectations, generosity, wishing good for others, patience, and mastery of work.
The lecture concluded with an open discussion, during which Dr. Abouzid answered questions from the audience.
Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Mr. Hammam bin Juraid, Executive Director of the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), to discuss a joint action plan, under the MoU signed between the two sides, for the implementation of programs and projects aimed at supporting the educational process in Sudan, Syria, and a number of other countries in the Islamic world.
During the meeting, held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, via videoconference, Dr. AlMalik stressed the need to develop impactful activities and programs that can improve the living conditions of individuals and communities, as well as projects that promote the advancement of the educational system in Sudan and Syria, and in other countries most in need, by providing educational facilities and school supplies for students and teachers.
For his part, Mr. Bin Juraid expressed AGFUND’s aspiration to develop joint projects with ICESCO in the field of education in both Sudan and Syria and to implement them in several phases in the near future as part of the efforts deployed by both sides to promote sustainable development, especially in areas suffering from instability.
The two sides agreed to form a joint team of experts and specialists to identify the programs and projects to be worked in the near future.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards at the Organization, and on behalf of AGFUND, Mr. Muhammad Alsalim Director of Projects Department.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, held a scientific meeting titled “Excellence in Vicegerency: How to Make a Healthy Heart in Times of Chaos.” The event featured a lecture by Dr. Khadija Abouzid, Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, and was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, along with a number of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, members of the Spouses Group, and participants interested in intellectual, spiritual, and educational affairs.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, opened with recitations from the Holy Qur’an, followed by remarks from Ms. Rania Shobaki, Chairwoman of the Group. She highlighted the continued cooperation between ICESCO and the Group, stressing that this partnership reflects a shared commitment to organizing gatherings that combine knowledge- and value-based themes and address the questions facing modern humanity amid rapid global transformations.
Dr. Yousra Bint Hussain AlJazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of The Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, stated that the meeting serves as a prelude to four lectures to be held every Tuesday during the month of Ramadan. She noted that the purpose of these lectures is to ensure complementarity among their themes to nurture the heart before the mind. She added that the challenges facing the world today are less a crisis of progress than a crisis of balance, calling for the restoration of the value system that reinstates human beings to their honored and responsible role as vicegerents of Allah on earth.
At the beginning of her lecture, Dr. Abouzid emphasized that vicegerency is not a mere theoretical notion but a covenant that places an ethical and civilizational responsibility on human beings. She stated that humans are “honored trustees” and “entrusted vicegerents,” and that the path toward a sound heart requires awareness of this responsibility and alignment of daily conduct with the objectives of righteous action.
Dr. Abouzid also reflected on human potential as illustrated in the story of Adam, peace be upon him, noting that the pillars of vicegerency include moral nature, the capacity for learning and development, and the faculty of reflection and discernment that enables one to read reality with clarity, link actions to purpose, and build inner balance that protects against chaos and supports efforts toward reform.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants engaged with the themes of vicegerency, excellence, and the cultivation of value-based balance. A question-and-answer session followed, during which practical guidance was shared on refining the self and strengthening moral resilience in times of turbulence.
