Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), recommended
providing adequate and customized technical support for decision makers and
officials in charge of devising and implementing education plans across the
globe in order to properly achieve SDG4. He stated that ICESCO firmly supports joint
strategic documents in a bid to improve international cooperation in the field
of education.
Dr. AlMalik made the statement in his address at the Ministerial Roundtable
of the Global Education Meeting 2021, that UNESCO held, on Thursday, July 13,
2021, via videoconference. The Meeting was held under the theme, “From recovery
to accelerating SDG 4 progress,” and saw the participation of several key
international figures including ministers, education experts and specialists,
and activists in humanitarian and educational work.
Dr. AlMalik noted that anticipating the future of education indicates
that the schools we know will undoubtedly transform into digital and virtual
schools. He added that this compels us to develop innovative curricula and
alternative school programs and education paths to pave the way towards the
digital schools of the future.
“In line with the sustainable development plan, and considering
that education is a human right, ICESCO has sustained its efforts to support
its Member States since the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing school closure,”
Dr. AlMalik stated. He further explained that ICESCO’s efforts were geared
towards ensuring the continuity of the education process and guaranteeing the
right to education for all.
Dr. Al-Malik noted, ICESCO provided its Member States with the
necessary technological equipment and devices to help them transition to the
new learning model. He added that the Organization prepared a document on the
guidelines for re-opening schools in Member States, launched many initiatives
as part of “ICESCO Digital Home” to help address the issue of “educational
loss,” and provided support to 25 Member States to set up education and
training e-platforms.
The DG also revealed that ICESCO is currently working on some key
studies relevant to AI and smart data in education.
The Director-General (DG) of the
Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr.
Salim M. AlMalik, met Today, July 13, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat,
with Mr. Leslie J. Baja, Ambassador of the Philippines to Morocco. The
two parties explored cooperation prospects between the Organization and the
Philippines in the fields of education, technology, culture, anchoring values
of coexistence and civilizational dialogue.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik
reviewed the main axes of the Organization’s vision and action strategy, which
adopt an open-door policy and promote partnerships to benefit the Member States
and Muslim communities around the world. The DG highlighted the potential for
cooperation between the two parties to serve the Muslim communities of the
Philippines.
ICESCO DG explained that since the
beginning of COVID-19, the Organization has played a key role in supporting a
number of its Member States in countering the negative impact of the pandemic
through launching and implementing several initiatives, programs and projects
in cooperation with Member States’ competent authorities.
For his part, the Ambassador of the
Philippines to Morocco commended ICESCO’s significant efforts and welcomed the
development of cooperation with the Organization in its areas of competence.
Mr. Baja stated that Muslim Filipinos represent a significant proportion of 11%
of the total population and that his country strives to overcome certain issues
facing them. He also noted that there are several institutes and research
centers at Filipino universities specialized in the field of Islamic Studies.
The meeting touched upon several
fields of cooperation between ICESCO and the Philippines, such as contributing
to deconstructing extremist discourse, participating in peace and
counter-terrorism conferences, sharing Filipino expertise with the countries of
the Islamic world in teaching Medical sciences, and collaborating on artificial
intelligence.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy DG; Dr. Kais Hammami,
Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight at the Organization; Dr. Ahmah
Said Ould Bah, Advisor to ICESCO DG for Partnerships and
International Cooperation and Ms. Monera Fatima Siriban, Philippines
Vice-Consul in Rabat, attended the meeting.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), will participate on August 2021 in the 36th session of the Space Forum, held annually by the American Space Foundation since 1984 in the State of Colorado, USA. This event is considered the first American Forum for the discussion of space policies and programs and the discovery of the latest developments in this field.
The Director-General will be a keynote speaker at the Forum, which will bring together a large number of leaders, decision-makers, and all sectors of the space community from several spacefaring nations, as well as space agencies, commercial space companies, cyber-security companies, federal government agencies and organizations, and the state governments of the U.S. Also participating will be R&D centers, educational institutions, space entrepreneurs, private spaceflight service providers, companies involved in the adaptation, manufacture or sale of space technologies for commercial use, in addition to specialized media.
The Forum’s agenda includes the discussion of many important topics, most notably a “forward-looking agenda,” as well as a wide range of parallel activities, including an exhibition on the latest innovations in space and major advances in space technology, from nanotechnology to spacecraft, with the participation of over 200 exhibitors.
For the record, ICESCO and the American Space Foundation are bound together by ties of close cooperation for the promotion of space sciences and programs in the Islamic world, as part of ICESCO’s new vision and strategy to raise awareness of the importance of space sciences and technologies and the huge potential offered by their technological applications to achieve sustainable development. The two parties co-organized the 1st International Forum on “Space Science: Importance, Challenges and New Opportunities in the Space Industry and the Islamic World” on 10 June 2021 under the theme: “Innovators of Tomorrow,” which was attended by an elite space program managers and experts, scientists and astronauts from around the world.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Haboos and Islamic Affairs of
the Kingdom of Morocco and the Library of Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Islamic
World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is hosting, at
its headquarters in Rabat, a first of its kind exhibition of rare historical
manuscripts spanning various fields of knowledge and featuring a treasure trove
of Al-Qarawiyyin University Library’s most prized possessions.
The exhibition, which opens today, Wednesday 7 July 2021, features
more than 20 rare manuscripts including a copy of the Holy Quran in the Kufi
Script without dots or diacritical marks, which dates back to the third century
A.H.; an Arabic version of the Gospel of Luke from the fifth century A.H.; and Kitab
Az-Zohd by Abu Daoud As-Sejestani. The exhibition also displays Al-Hidaya
Fi Tawhid by Al-Qadi Al-Baqalani; Al-Muwattaa by Yahya bin Mohamed
bin Abbad Al-Lakhmi, which dates back to the sixth century A.H.; Al-Mukhtassar
Al-Fiqhi by Abu Musaab Al-Zahri; Al-Jamiaa Al-Sahih by Muhammad bin
Ibrahim; Al-Bayan Wa Tahssil by Ibn Rushd Al-Jadd, a copy made for the
Sultan; Jarru Ath-Thayl Fi Ilm Al-Khayl by Jalal Dine As-Sayuti; and the
Book of Ethics by Aristotle. Likewise, the exhibition includes a manuscript on
astronomy that was written by Ptolemy and translated by Al-Farabi, in addition
to a selection of knowledge treasures in various fields including religious
sciences, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, and history authored by prominent
science and intellect figures from the Islamic world and abroad.
The exhibition is open to visitors, concurrently with the ICESCO
Scientific Symposium on the release of the First Volume of the Encyclopedia of
Deconstructing Extremist Discourse. The Symposium was held in cooperation with
the Mohammadia League of Scholars of the Kingdom of Morocco, as part of the
Framework Partnership Agreement between ICESCO and the League aiming to
intellectually shield the Muslim youth against the different forms of extremist
and hate discourse in the Islamic world and beyond.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, a team specializing in
manuscript restoration from the Manuscript Restoration Lab at Al-Qarawiyyin
University will give a practical demonstration to visitors on the latest trends
in manuscript restoration using advanced technology.
Al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez is one of the oldest heritage libraries
in Morocco. It was established in 750 A.H. and has been subject to numerous restoration
and repair operations. The library has maintained its key role in the fields of
science and knowledge, making it a reliable destination for researchers and
students. Its collection has been enriched by Sultans, princes, and scholars who
donated rare and invaluable books.
With high-level participation of officials, diplomats, intellectuals,
scholars and specialists in combating extremist ideology, the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Mohammadia
League of Scholars, on Wednesday (7 July 2021), launched the first volume of
the Encyclopedia on Deconstructing the Discourse of Extremism, entitled “Deconstructing
the intellectual backgrounds of the discourses of extremism,” which is part of
the partnership agreement between ICESCO and the League, for protecting Muslim
youth from the various forms of the discourse of extremism and hatred inside
and outside the Islamic world.
ICESCO presented the first volume during a major scientific
symposium, at its headquarters, in Rabat, which began with the recitation of
verses from the Holy Qur’an; then Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director
General, gave a welcome address wherein he reaffirmed that terrorism has become
a worrisome phenomenon that obscures the major goals of our existence, which
consist in peacebuilding, calling for strengthening this value to become a source
of inspiration by spreading peace to become a central concept.
Besides, Dr. AlMalik noted that the Organization and the League
issued this encyclopedia to invest in all the scientific efforts made in
addressing the misinterpretations of religious texts to serve as a reference
for researchers, scholars, university institutions, research centers,
specialized observatories and international organizations to address the
effects of extremism around the world.
Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of Mohammadia League of
Scholars, gave the main lecture, wherein he stated that the encyclopedia aims
to protect young people from the discourse of extremism as well as other related
concepts. “The encyclopedia is based on the idea that religion aims to develop secure
societies. The first volume of this encyclopedia is an introduction to the fundamental
concepts of the complex phenomenon of extremism, while the second volume deals
with the tools for deconstructing the discourse of extremism. The third volume
takes into account the nature of the current reality. Moreover, there is a
conflict between the real and the digital world. Thus, it is essential to have an
expert in the digital field for countering the extremist ideology because its
promoters are strongly active in the digital space,” he underscored.
Afterward, the participants and attendees expressed their views during which Dr. Driss Fassi Fihri, Al-Qarawiyyin University Vice-President, stated that deconstructing extremist discourse entails identifying the components under which radical ideas are being disseminated.
Mr. Mohammed Ben Ayed, Ambassador of Tunisia to Morocco, noted that Islam, a religion of moderation and middle stance, urges people to use reason. “Extremism is an extremely complex and dangerous phenomenon that can severely impact humanity. The encyclopedia touches upon the different aspects of such phenomenon,” added Mr. Ben Ayed.
For his part, Dr. Ahmad Sennouni, Assistant Secretary-General of
Mohammadia League of Scholars, praised the encyclopedia as it provides a
detailed description of the changes Muslim communities have undergone and has a
clear vision for deconstructing extremist discourse. While Dr. Farida Zoumroud,
a Member of the Executive Board of Mohammadia League of Scholars, explained
that criticism is one of the most important means to countering extremism since
extremists usually seek religious pretexts for their acts through
misinterpretation of texts. She also added that the encyclopedia strives to
correct some misconceptions for deconstructing extremist discourse while
analyzing its psychological dimension.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, moderator
of the Symposium, noted that Islamic civilization is the source of science and
knowledge. “Understanding Arabic language and the connotations of the word
“terrorism” is a key element to deconstructing extremist discourse; Al-Munjid
dictionary was one of the first dictionaries to include the word terrorism back
in 1960,” he added.
At the close of the symposium, Dr. AlMalik delivered a closing
address wherein he praised all the efforts that contributed to bringing the
encyclopedia into existence and thanked all the attendees and participants. He
also noted that the Organization works toward incorporating the concept of
peace into the primary level educational curriculum, which will be part of its
recommendations during conferences and meetings with Member States’ education
ministers.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Farhan
Nizami, Director of the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies, explored the prospects
of wider cooperation between the Organization and the Center, especially in the
fields of building youth’s capacities, scholarships, scientific research and
ICESCO Academic Chairs.
During the meeting, held today, Tuesday 6 July 2021, via
videoconference, the two parties expressed their keenness to promote
partnership between ICESCO and the Center, reaffirming the importance of
developing cooperation in the field of conducting specialized studies and
implementing practical and goal-oriented programs and activities within the two
institutions’ shared areas of interest.
Dr. AlMalik noted that ICESCO’s new vision and action strategy
positions peace at the forefront of its priorities, highlighting the
Organization’s numerous programs in this regard including the Program of Training
Young Leadership for Peace and Security. He added that ICESCO opened up to
world countries, regional and international organizations, and bodies and civil
society institutions by capitalizing on its Academic Chairs Program. He further
explained that in addition to chairs at universities and research centers within
the Islamic world, the Program provides for setting up chairs in prominent
universities outside the Islamic world in countries such as Germany and Brazil.
Dr. Nizami expressed his delight to explore cooperation prospects
with a major organization such as ICESCO, which enjoys great presence and
outreach within the Islamic world, conveying his honor to take part in ICESCO
Conference on the Civilizational Values in the Prophet’s Seerah, held on 27 May
2021. He also reaffirmed that cooperation between ICESCO and the Center must
keep up with the current changes and consider the values of quality and
continuity in view of achieving the set goals, noting that joint action is the way
to making a difference.
The meeting saw the participation of senior ICESCO officials,
namely Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Ambassador Khalid
Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. Said
Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International
Cooperation.
The Oxford Center for Islamic Studies is an Oxford
University-affiliated research center. It was created in 1985 under the
patronage of H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The Center aims to
encourage Islamic studies and it is the first center in British history to specialize
in this kind of study under the patronage of a member of the British Royal
Family.
the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO) and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation, today (5 July 2021), held a meeting
to explore the joint programs and activities, especially in the field of
artificial intelligence, scientific research, digital education and strategic
foresight.
The meeting, held via videoconferencing, brought together Dr. Salim
M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, President of
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation, as well as Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO
Center for Strategic Foresight, Dr. Mushira Eneizat, International Cooperation
and External relations Executive Director at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation, and
Ms. Rim Jalloul from ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main axes of
ICESCO’s vision and action strategy, which are based on renewal, modernization
and openness for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim communities around
the world, stressing that ICESCO is keen to cooperate with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation.
Dr. AlMalik also stated that there are many potential areas of
cooperation, including strategic foresight, artificial intelligence, digital
education, scientific research, and ICESCO scientific chairs, which are vital
areas for Muslim countries.
For his part, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized the importance of
renewing education methods in the Islamic world to develop scientific research
and encourage creativity and invention to contribute to building a creative
nation. He also underlined the urgent need to establish ethical oversight on
artificial intelligence, underlining his willingness to cooperate on issuing a dictionary
of artificial intelligence terms.
Besides, he stressed Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation’s keenness to
cooperate with ICESCO, stating: “We are proud to be your partner.”
Moreover, the two parties agreed to nominate two coordinators to
ensure effective communication and follow up to the expert meetings in the
areas of cooperation to develop operational plans for practical initiatives,
programs and activities that achieve a tangible impact.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO) have approved funding for a set of projects for the
benefit of the State of Palestine, which will be implemented in the second half
of 2021, in partnership with the Palestinian National Commission for Education,
Culture, and Science. The 9 projects covering the Organization’s action areas
in education, science and culture will benefit all Palestinian geographical
locations in northern and southern governorates as well as rural communities while prioritizing and paying
special attention to Al-Quds Al-Sharif, which is being subjected to all forms
of systematic violations and attacks by Israeli Occupation.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO
Director-General, underscored the Organization’s commitment to supporting the
sectors of education, culture and science in Palestine, noting that ICESCO’s contribution
to such projects is in support of the Palestinian cause in light of the fierce
violations committed against Palestinians, especially the recurrent violations
targeting Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, Church of the
Holy Sepulcher, as well as the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their
homes in Sheikh Jarrah as in other regions of Al-Quds.
Dr. Ali Zeidan
Abu Zuhri, Head of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture
and Science, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation
Organization, thanked ICESCO Director-General for the Organization’s prompt approval of the
Palestinian project proposals for 2021, which were the product of joint efforts
and coordination with official partners, including ministries, government
institutions, and competent civil society institutions.
Besides, Dr. Abu
Zuhri underlined the importance of working in coordination with competent
partners for the project and program implementation, which focus on ICESCO’s
main areas of action, catering to people with special needs, media development,
women empowerment, artificial intelligence and technical education, music
therapy and supporting rural communities. He also praised ICESCO’s initiative
for increasing the number of scholarships awarded to Palestinian university
students.
Dr. Abu Zuhri
stated that operating under the umbrella of ICESCO provides Palestine with a
valuable opportunity to develop programs and projects in line with the
Organization’s priorities, orientations, and national priorities in light of
the current challenging circumstances. He
added that obtaining the maximum funding that the Organization may allocate to
its State Members bears witness to the high level of professionalism,
partnership, and coordination in preparing program and project files, which was
carried out through National Commission teams, in cooperation with relevant
national partner institutions, including government and civil society organizations.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received at ICESCO
headquarters, today, Friday 2 July 2021, a delegation of the Executive Council
of the Arab Civil Aviation
Organization (ACAO). The delegation was comprised of Captain Haitham Mesto,
Chairman of the ACAO Executive council, Eng. Abdennebi Manar, ACAO Director
General, in addition to a number of the Executive council members. Dr.
Abdelilah Benafara, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, and several Organization
advisers and heads of sectors and departments also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik gives an overview of ICESCO,
highlighting the key axes of its strategic vision and action plans and the
modernization its working mechanisms have seen over the last two years.
Dr. AlMalik also noted that the Organization is dedicated to
building cooperation and partnership relations with regional and international
organizations and bodies for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim
communities across the globe.
Captain Mesto expressed his and the Council’s delight to meet with
ICESCO Director-General and leadership, commending the role the Organization
assumes in its areas of competence and its sustained efforts to reflect the
true image of the Islamic civilization and culture to the world.
He added that civil aviation is no longer a simple means of
transportation, but rather a lever for achieving development, as there can be
no tourism or international trade exchange without aviation, stating that he is
looking forward to developing cooperation relations between the two
organizations.
Heads of ICESCO sectors highlighted the key initiatives, programs
and activities the Organization is currently implementing in partnership with
the Member States’ competent parties and suggested areas of cooperation between
ICESCO and the ACAO.
The delegation concluded their visit by a tour inside ICESCO headquarters,
including a stop at ICESCO Art Gallery, currently hosting the exhibition “In the Footsteps of Fatima Al-Fihria,”
which features a large number of paintings by Moroccan artists.
The Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC),
during its 9th ordinary meeting, that the Islamic World Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) convened, decided to inscribe 97
new historical sites and cultural elements, including 58 historical sites and
cultural elements on the Final Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL) and 39 sites
and elements on the Tentative List. The Committee also deferred six sites and
stressed contacting the countries concerned to complete the relevant
nominations files. The total number of inscriptions on the IWHL has reached
about 320 historical sites and cultural elements.
The meeting held on Tuesday, June 29, 2021,
brought together the representatives of the following Member States: Kuwait,
Iraq, Mauritania, Pakistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Cameroon, Côté d’Ivoire, and
Nigeria.
In his address, Dr. Mohammed Zine El
Abidine, Head of Culture and Communication sector at ICESCO, highlighted the IWHC’s
key role in safeguarding the historic, civilizational, and natural monuments
and the cultural elements in the Islamic World. Dr. Zine El Abidine also
underscored the keenness of Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, ICESCO DG, to safeguard and
promote the Islamic world heritage, and enhance its presence on the regional
and international scene, as well as his diligent efforts in following up the
Sector’s action in this regard.
The Committee decided to adopt the General
Secretariat’s report on the implementation of the decisions and recommendations
of the third extraordinary meeting, held on December 10, 2020. It also decided
to form two commissions of experts accredited to the Islamic World Heritage
Committee and under the supervision of ICESCO Heritage Center to examine the
development of the forms and criteria of the inscription on ICESCO’s Lists of Tangible
and Intangible Heritage. The IWHC General Secretariat will select the members
of the two commissions from the Scientific Commission.
At the close of its proceedings, the Committee
issued a set of recommendations, where it called on the Member States to
provide the Islamic World Heritage Center with data on the repercussions of the
COVID-19 pandemic on heritage sites and museums, and their staff, support the
center and provide technical and scientific assistance for the completion of
the Encyclopedia of the Tangible Heritage of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The recommendations commended the efforts of
the Islamic World Heritage Center to preserve heritage through activities,
training courses, programs, and international agreements with specialized parties
interested in various fields of world heritage. The Committee also called on the
Member States to submit further nomination files for the inscription of
heritage sites and intangible heritage elements on the Islamic World Heritage
List and urged international organizations, and all countries to join the call
of ICESCO and the Islamic World Heritage Committee to avoid intentional and
unintentional damage to heritage sites and museums in situations of armed
conflict, given that heritage belongs to all humanity.
