Category: Director General

As part of the celebration of World Arabic Language Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the International Forum “The Arabic Language and the Creation of Useful Content” at its headquarters in Rabat on Thursday, 19 December 2024, with the participation of a select group of content creators known for producing useful content in standard Arabic.

The opening session of the Forum began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, who underlined the importance of the Forum’s theme in a world of increasing communication and information, hence the role of language as a powerful tool for communication.

He also pointed out that this Forum reflects ICESCO’s belief in the complementarity between Arabic and the creation of useful content, and is aimed to highlight the contributions of this language to media action and its most recent tools, namely content creation, as well as to highlight the role of Arabic in preserving the civilizational identity of the Islamic world.

Furthermore, Dr. Benarafa stated that Arabic, given its universality, must contribute to the creation of meaningful content that reinforces its international status, cultural understanding and exchange. He also reiterated the urgent need for a qualified language to support the creation of useful content that provides information based on unbiased facts and reliable and objective evidence, in light of ICT revolution.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Mr. Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, Ms. Samira Lemlizi, Secretary-General Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, noted that Arabic is a communicative and cognitive link across a vast geographical area, and praised the language’s role in preserving national identity and promoting cultural diversity in Morocco.

Afterwards, the winners of the “ICESCO Young Anchors” competition, organized by the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers to encourage non-Arabic-speaking children to practice and master the language, were announced. 200 children from 23 countries took part in the competition, and prizes were awarded to the following three winners: Hussam Mustafa from Canada won first prize, Aisha Timur from Türkiye won the second and Mohammed Aslam from Malaysia won third.

This ceremony was followed by the first discussion panel on the creation of Arabic language and literature content, in which a group of content creators from Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Syria and Palestine presented their inspiring experiences and initiatives in this field. The following session titled “Creating Public Cultural Content in Classical Arabic”, featured rich discussions between content creators from Jordan, Morocco and Türkiye on the challenges they face and how to overcome them.

At the end of the forum, participants formulated a series of recommendations, namely to work towards perpetuating the Arabic language and its major role in shaping the global cultural scene, to support the creation and development of useful content befitting Arabic and its civilizational value, and to invest in visual content to enhance the status of Arabic worldwide.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the European Muslim Scholars Council (EULEMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish cooperation between the two parties in consolidating the values of intercultural and interfaith coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.

The MoU was signed on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Yahya Pallavicini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Muslim Scholars Council, in the presence of a number of ICESCO’s heads of sector and directors of department and center.
Upon the signing, Dr. Al-Malik expressed his happiness for this step, which lays the foundation for future partnership between ICESCO and the Council of European Muslim Leaders, with a view to pursuing the common objectives, particularly highlighting the tolerant image of our noble religion and combating extremism.

For his part, Dr. Pallavicini stressed the Council’s keenness to enhance cooperation with ICESCO given its leading roles in promoting dialogue, harmony and tolerance.

The five-year MoU provides for the joint organization of exhibitions in Europe to highlight the biographies of the Prophets and Messengers, shed light on the values of humaneness and mercy in their biographies, hold international conferences, seminars and training workshops in areas of common interest, and support Euro-Mediterranean cooperation through youth, academic and cultural exchange programs.

The MoU also includes developing educational initiatives and conducting training sessions to address contemporary challenges facing religious leaders in Europe, exchanging ideas and views on issues of peace, dialogue and peaceful coexistence, promoting interfaith dialogue, and issuing and exchanging scientific and research reports, books and periodicals.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), held discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations in cultural fields, with a particular focus on heritage preservation and promotion.

The meeting, held today, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, coincided with the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. This event was co-organized by ICESCO, TURKSOY, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, attended by Ms. Lachin Ovazgeldiyeva, Turkmenistan’s delegate to TURKSOY, both parties reiterated their commitment to building a fruitful partnership. This partnership aims to implement programs and projects for the benefit of Member States of both organizations. Key objectives include promoting coexistence, peace, intercultural dialogue, recognizing figures of the Islamic world who have contributed to human civilization, and preserving tangible and intangible heritage of Islamic nations.

The meeting also explored several proposals for collaboration. Both parties agreed to maintain close coordination to develop implementation plans for the selected programs and projects.

ICESCO was represented at the meeting by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation; and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of DG.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the International Conference on “Interfaith Harmony: Nurturing Peaceful Coexistence”, organized on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by ICESCO, in partnership with the State Committee for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat, to discuss the role of religion in building peaceful societies and ways to address the challenges of promoting coexistence and interfaith dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution.

The conference, which saw high-level attendance led by Andre Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as a number of ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Rabat, began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, in which he stressed the importance of this international conference in the path of establishing world peace.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stressed that the current global developments and transformations place great responsibilities on everyone to build peace and maintain security, as the current situation requires a moment to uphold the values of human partnership, pointing out to the need to recognize the efficiency of faith and its people as peace bearers in shaping the future of humanity.

He added that ICESCO’s newly coined concept of “civilizational diplomacy” serves as a tool to resolve culturally rooted conflicts, indicating that the Organization is tirelessly working to ensure the steady progress of international peace. He also lauded Azerbaijan’s remarkable success in managing its unique diversity, commending the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan.

For his part, Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Affairs of Azerbaijan, highlighted the great attention that Azerbaijan pays to promoting the culture of diversity, coexistence and harmony, and supporting the values of religious freedom, commending ICESCO’s efforts to promote coexistence and peace.

Rafael Huseynov, Deputy Chair, Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed that the Islamic world’s civilization is a common and diverse heritage shared by many peoples, who remained united under the umbrella of civilization regardless of their different languages, religions, customs and traditions.

The first session discussed “Interreligious Harmony as a Basic Element of Sustainable Development” with the participation of experts from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Libya and Senegal. The second session tackled the “Best Practices in Religious Coexistence” with the participation of experts from Azerbaijan, Italy, Britain, and Tunisia.

ICESCO DG took the distinguished guests on a tour of the sideline exhibition “Shared Humanity, Diverse Faiths” to highlight religious diversity and tolerance in Azerbaijan.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and together they discussed ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and the Committee, within the framework of the special partnership relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in areas of common interest.

The meeting was held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Amb. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco. During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the strong relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, which led to a number of joint programs and projects and a remarkable participation of ICESCO at COP29, held in Baku last November.

The DG also stated that the International Conference, “Inter-Faith Harmony: Nurturing Peaceful Coexistence”, to be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters, in cooperation with the Committee and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat, represents another addition to the series of partnerships between ICESCO and Azerbaijani institutions, and aligns with the Organization’s vision to anchor the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.

The two parties discussed a proposal for cooperation between ICESCO and the Committee to implement several programs in the fields of education, health and social services for the benefit of countries in need, agreeing to review a set of projects in this regard.

At the close of the meeting, Mr. Mammadov gifted Dr. AlMalik a copy of the Holy Quran printed in Azerbaijan.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation, and Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Fadia Saadeh, Regional Director for Human Development in Middle East and North Africa Region at the World Bank, and her accompanying delegation. The Meeting focused on exploring avenues for cooperation between ICESCO and the World Bank for the benefit of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Member States of the Organization.

During the Meeting, held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ICESCO adopts an open approach to engaging with international organizations and bodies in order to support its Member States in advancing education, science, and culture, as well as building the capacities of women and youth.

He reviewed ICESCO’s key strategic vision and objectives, and highlighted the Organization’s flagship programs and projects implemented in collaboration with relevant authorities in its Member States. He also expressed the Organization’s readiness to cooperate with the World Bank in areas of mutual interest.

For her part, Ms. Saadeh praised ICESCO’s efforts, emphasizing that cooperation between the Two Parties could involve sharing expertise, particularly in the fields of education, teacher capacity building, and the joint organization of forums and activities in these areas.

The Meeting was attended by ICESCO officials, including Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Zaid Abshama, Expert at the Education Sector. From the World Bank’s Morocco team, attendees included Ms. Fadila Caillaud, Regional Manager in Education Global Practice; Ms. Debbie Newitter Mikesell, Senior Education Specialist; and Ms. Léa Iungmann, Education Specialist.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), has unveiled the Organization’s project to restore the ancient mosque of Chinguetti in Mauritania, in the historic district classified as an Islamic and world heritage site, including the Imam’s house and the mosque’s interior and exterior courtyards. This initiative has been launched in agreement with the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, in total compliance with the cultural heritage technical requirements.

This decision comes following Dr. AlMalik’s visit to the mosque, on the sidelines of his participation in the opening of the 13th session of “Madayn Heritage Festival”, which kicked off on 13 December 2024 in Chinguetti, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.

During the visit, the Director General toured the various sections of the mosque and its interior and exterior courtyards. He also learned about the history and great historical symbolism of this Islamic architecture, a monument that has taught thousands of scholars over more than ten centuries and a key departure point for pilgrims from West Africa.

He added that the decision to restore the ancient mosque of Chinguetti falls within the framework of the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Mauritania, as well as ICESCO’s commitment to heritage preservation.

The ancient mosque of Chinguetti is one of the most prominent monuments in the ancient city, representing a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and precise architectural design. It was first founded in 160 A.H. in ancient Chinguetti, before being re-founded in 660 A.H. in its present location.

Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), commended the 13th edition of the ” Madayn Heritage Festival”, being held in the historic city of Chinguetti, a cultural and scientific center that has promoted and preserved the values of its identity throughout the ages, much like the cities that have embraced the Islamic, Arab and African culture, to linger in human memory forever.

This statement came in his address, delivered during the first cultural evening of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”, on Friday evening (13 December 2024), in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, alongside Mauritanian ministers and senior officials, heads of international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture, and a large number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Nouakchott, as well as intellectuals, artists and the public at large.

ICESCO Director General said that cities are like flags, some of which have faded from the memory of history while others such as Mecca, Al Madinah, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Chinguetti still linger in our memory given their historic status as metropolises that must be preserved, maintained and revitalized.

He also pointed out that ICESCO undertakes this responsibility by promoting the areas of education, science and culture throughout the Islamic world, as illustrated by its Programme of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, and the concept of ICESCO Routes integrated with the Hajj Routes initiative, in line with the Organization’s mission, which considers that cities would be future ruins without civilizational vitality.
At the close of his address, Dr. Al-Malik shared his poem titled “Li Chinguetti Tuskabu al-Alhan,” written in celebration of this city as part of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”.

ICESCO Director General visited Chinguetti Historic Mosque, one of the city’s prominent heritage monument, representing a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and a meticulous architectural design. It was first founded in 160 AH in ancient Chenguitti, before it was rebuilt in its current location in 660 AH. The soft sand-covered ground of the mosque is still the worshippers’ carpet during their prayers.

During the visit, Dr. Al-Malik commended the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania aiming at preserving its tangible and intangible heritage, indicating that ICESCO has inscribed many historical sites and cultural elements of Mauritania on its Islamic World Heritage List.

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, has awarded the Medal of the Commander of the National Order of Merit to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in recognition of his outstanding efforts to develop the Organization’s fields of competence and increase its civilizational influence since assuming the post of Director General.

President El Ghazouani received Dr. AlMalik on Thursday, 12 December 2024, at the Presidential Palace in Nouakchott and decorated him with the medal, one of the highest honors awarded by the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to distinguished personalities.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to H.E. President El Ghazouani for his support to the cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania, and reviewed the main programs and projects underway in the framework of this bilateral cooperation. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Dah, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, for her patronage of a number of the Organization’s activities, in particular the International Scientific Conference on the theme: “Family and Technology: Regulating Services and Controlling Uses”, whose third session took place today in Nouakchott, in the presence of high-level personalities in view of the importance of the subject.

For his part, H.E. the President praised the high quality of ICESCO’s programs and initiatives for the benefit of its Member States, as well as the support it has provided to Mauritania over the past five years as part of the country’s dynamic development at all levels, particularly in the fields of education, science and culture.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Nani Ould Chrouga, Minister in charge of the Office of the President of the Republic, Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the Director General of ICESCO, and Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdalla, Secretary General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration of Mauritania, and the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Maryam Mohamed Fadil Dah, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, organized the 3rd ICESCO International Science Conference on “Family and Technology: Regulating Services and Controlling Usage” in Nouakchott, Mauritania, at the Nouakchott Convention Center (Palais des Congrés) on Thursday 12 December 2024.

The Event brought together high-ranking ministers, officials, and experts in digital education and family psychology, in addition to representatives from technology companies to examine the impact of technology on the family, and develop strategies for regulating technological services.

The opening session commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a video presentation highlighting the intersection of family and technology, the challenges posed by its usage, and the importance of awareness programs to address these issues. Subsequently, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, praised the pertinence of the Conference’s topics, emphasizing the value of its outcomes in analyzing trends and challenges related to digital technology usage.

In his remarks, Mr. Idoumou Islamou Abeidallah, President of the Nouakchott Regional Council, acknowledged the profound challenges posed by technological advancements to family cohesion and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting innovative initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.

Mr. Ahmed Salem Ould Bede, Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration of Mauritania, outlined his ministry’s achievements in advancing digital transformation to improve family life and foster comprehensive awareness of the risks associated with the misuse of technology.

Mr. Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Parliamentary Relations, and spokesperson for the Mauritanian government, highlighted the family’s role as the primary and most important institution for child-rearing. He stressed the need for families to strike a balance between the benefits of modern advancements and societal values.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the Conference’s theme provided a critical opportunity to explore the positive and negative impacts of digitalization on society, particularly its relationship with families. He called for in-depth discussions on family-related topics, including the integration of modern educational methods into school programs and their ability to connect the dynamics of family life with what schools provide, as well as the content consumed by children and youth in their interaction with smartphones.

The opening session concluded with remarks by Ms. Safiya Bint N’Tahah, Minister of Social Work, Childhood, and Family, who represented the First Lady of Mauritania. She emphasized that modern technologies, particularly those related to communication, compel society to find optimal ways to utilize them effectively.

Following the opening session, ICESCO’s Director-General and other participating ministers toured the technology exhibition held alongside the Conference, where institutions and companies showcased their latest tools and technological solutions.

The Conference’s scientific sessions then kicked-off, addressing topics such as “The Positive and Negative Impacts of Technology on the Family,” “Strategies for Regulating Technological Services,” and “Education and Technology in the Family to Ensure Safety and Privacy.”

Among the key outcomes of the Conference, which featured rich discussions and an exchange of ideas on regulating the relationship between the family and technology, was an agreement to issue guidebooks outlining safe technology usage practices within families. Additionally, there was a call to organize regular workshops aimed at enhancing digital education and promoting safety awareness, alongside efforts to develop applications to assist families in monitoring technology use effectively.