Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that the Organization’s new strategic cultural plan pays great attention to the human tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The DG added that “ICESCO’s efforts aim to ensure heritage management and preservation through modern mechanisms and appropriate strategies to publicize the successful experiences in conserving and sustaining heritage to serve as a lever for cultural and socio-economic development in the Islamic world.”

The statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the opening ceremony of the First Celebration of the International Day of Argania that the UN General Assembly adopted on March 3^rd, 2021, at the initiative of Morocco and with the support of UN Member States. The celebration was organized at the Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University, in Rabat, under the theme “Three decades of research and development for sustainable development of the Argan tree,” yesterday, May 10, 2021, with the participation of Dr. Saaïd Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Mohamed Ghachi, President of Mohammed V University; and Dr. Mohammed El Ragragui, Dean of the Faculty of Science of Mohammed V University, as well as a host of researchers and experts in the field.

Dr. AlMalik praised Morocco’s initiative to preserve the Argan tree, which is a new achievement added to its accomplishments in preserving its environmental and architectural treasures, defending its socio-cultural symbols, and promoting its tangible and intangible heritage. The initiative reaffirms the strong international support for the Moroccan national strategy, entitled “Forests of Morocco” that His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched, and which includes an ambitious project to plant 10,000 argan trees over a six-year period.

ICESCO DG also stated that the Organization will support women’s enterprises in Morocco, particularly women’s agricultural cooperatives in rural areas, including the argan cooperatives. Such support, he stated, is part of the Organization’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, which includes many programmes and activities to enhance the participation of women in building the future and achieving sustainable development and falls within the framework of its partnership with the Alwaleed Philanthropies.

At the close of his address, Dr. Al-Malik called on the competent authorities in Morocco to submit the file of the Argan tree for its inscription on the Islamic World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, stressing that ICESCO is fully prepared to support the scientific research works relevant to the tree.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that “the Organization will continue its close cooperation with the Member States to develop, support, and keep up with all projects, initiatives, and efforts aimed at enabling the peoples of countries of the Islamic World to fully enjoy their socio-cultural rights while adding that the debate on such rights would no longer be raised in the immediate future.”

The statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the webinar that the Human Rights Information and Training Center (HRITC) organized, in cooperation with ICESCO, on May 9, 2021, under the theme: “Towards a vision for strengthening the protection mechanisms of socio-cultural rights: challenges and prospects.”

The webinar saw the participation of Ezzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of Yemen to Morocco; Dr. Muhammad Amin Maidani, Lecturer in Law at the University of Strasbourg; and Mr. Alaa Shalaby, President of the Arab Organization for Human Rights; in addition to a group of experts and activists.

Dr. AlMalik explained that socio-economic and cultural rights are an essential part of human rights, which include the right to education, adequate housing, health care, food, and water as well as the right to employment. He also noted that “although the international instruments and treaties enshrining these basic rights are remarkably advanced, thanks to the considerable international efforts, we are still lagging behind.”

ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s vision and efforts to create the appropriate conditions to enable all peoples of the Islamic world to fully enjoy their socio-cultural rights, highlighting that ICESCO has been working on a clear strategy to bring about a positive change in the field of human rights, including the socio-cultural rights, in the light of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “ICESCO has also launched several important projects and programmes in its Member States, particularly for youth and women, in cooperation with a group of donor institutions,” he underscored.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the international community still has much to do to find innovative ideas and visions likely to consolidate socio-cultural rights, support the role of organizations and the private sector to strengthen the integration of roles and build a society that can face the increasingly difficult challenges.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, received Dr. Mohammed al-Samrani, Director of Saudia Airlines Office in Morocco. The two parties explored the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Saudia.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed some of ICESCO’s efforts in supporting its Member States in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, and communication, highlighting the main programmes and activities of ICESCO in 2021 to support women and youth and consolidate the values ​​of coexistence and dialogue.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the new vision and action strategy of ICESCO adopt an open-door policy with all organizations, bodies, and institutions to further promote cooperation and partnerships with them for the benefit of countries of the Islamic World.

For his part, Dr. Al-Samrani praised ICESCO’s roles while stressing his aspiration for constructive cooperation between Saudia Airlines and the Organization in areas of common interest.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Eliphas Chinyonga, Chargé d’Affaires of Zambia in Morocco. The two parties explored the prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and Zambia in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held today, May 04, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, with the participation of some of the heads of ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization’s action strategy adopts an open-door policy with all parties, including non-Member States, to ensure cooperation and partnership for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim communities around the globe. The DG also pointed out that ICESCO has amended its Charter to allow non-Member States to join the Organization on a Observer Status.

Dr. AlMalik indicated that the Organization gives special priority to the African Member States and has provided support for many of them during the COVID-19 pandemic, in cooperation with donor agencies and institutions, to enhance their efforts in facing the negative repercussions of the pandemic.

The meeting also touched upon ICESCO’s efforts in various fields, including strategic foresight and intercivilizational and intercultural dialogue to promote the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence.  Furthermore, the Organization also proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Women, in recognition of their roles during the pandemic as well as training young people on leadership skills and building their capabilities to meet future requirements.

For his part, Mr. Eliphas Chinyonga praised the pivotal roles of ICESCO in its areas of competence, indicating that he was keen to visit the Organization and discover its programmes and activities in the upcoming period, a few weeks after he started his mission as the Chargé d’Affaires of Zambia in Morocco, on the beginning of March 2021.

Mr. Chinyonga expressed his keenness to build cooperation between Zambia and ICESCO in its fields of action and with the countries of the Islamic world through the Organization given that the Muslim community in Zambia is growing significantly. He also stressed his interest in participating in the future activities of ICESCO.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) in Saudi Arabia, yesterday, May 3, 2021, signed a partnership agreement on scientific research and strategic foresight studies, and cooperation in implementing practical programmes and activities to promote technology and innovation in the countries of the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held through videoconference, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Dr. Issa Al-Ansari, PMU President, signed the agreement. The meeting also brought together several directors and officials at ICESCO and the University.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness at the signing of the agreement, stressing that it will unite the efforts of ICESCO and PMU to strengthen their cooperation and partnership through practical projects and forward-looking studies such as “The Possible Futures of the Islamic World” study, “The Future imagined by the Youth” project, “Population and demography at the horizon of 2050: Islamic Population Inside and Outside the Islamic World” study, “The impact of Covid-19 on Hajj and Umrah study,” “the Futures of Education” study.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO, through the Center for Strategic Foresight and the Science and Technology Sector, will collaborate with PMU to conduct studies and implement programmes and projects for the benefit of the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Al-Ansari stressed that the agreement addresses important areas for cooperation between the University and ICESCO, noting that the partnership agreement should not only target countries of the Islamic World but should benefit the whole world in its entirety.

He added that ICESCO and PMU complement one another in the field of foresight and Artificial Intelligence, highlighting that the University prepares its young graduates to meet the requirements of both the local and international job markets.

It is noteworthy to mention that the agreement between ICESCO and PMU provides for cooperation in developing specialized programmes and research activities, building the capacities of the staff of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies (PMFCFS) and ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight, and seeking to give an international relevance for the achievements of the two centers in the field of forward-looking studies, Artificial Intelligence, youth, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), yesterday, April 29, 2021, participated in the launch ceremony of the book “Ramadan Tastes” that the charitable Diplomatic Circle in Morocco published with ICESCO’s support. The book includes 56 recipes from 27 countries for delicious dishes that celebrate tolerance and generosity and value the cultural treasures of the Islamic world.

The ceremony that the charitable Diplomatic Circle organized at the headquarters of Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in Rabat, saw the participation of Ms. Jamila Elmossalli, Minister of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family of Morocco, along with several ambassadors and wives of ambassadors accredited to Morocco as well as the wives of several heads and directors of international organizations in the country.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the publication of the book is a new and important approach. “All the publications that aim at highlighting the national heritage constitutes a valuable human and civilizational contribution on the level of customs and traditions as well as food and clothing, which are both elements of intangible heritage,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik also expressed the Organization’s willingness to support the dissemination of the book on a large scale through ICESCO Digital Home, noting that all the support that ICESCO provides in this context reaffirms its successful approach, particularly with the celebration of 2021 as the Year of Women.

For her part, Ms. Elmossalli commended the idea of ​​the book, noting that cooking is an inherited art. “Throughout history, women have excelled in the culinary arts. It is high time to take further steps to preserve this art through documentation to ensure its transmission to future generations,” she underscored. Ms. Elmossalli also expressed her gratitude to the Diplomatic Circle for publishing the book and to ICESCO DG for the efforts of the Organization in supporting women and enhancing their status.

Furthermore, Ms. Alessandra Mancini, wife of the Ambassador of Peru, Head of the Diplomatic Circle, delivered an address wherein she stated that the kitchen plays an important role as a catalyst for a sense of collective identity, which gives people a sense of belonging to a specific community and fosters a series of common cultural values.

Ms. Zeina Barakat Atallah, wife of the Ambassador of Lebanon, Treasurer of the Diplomatic Circle, said that the book is the fruit of six months of work during which 27 countries of the Islamic World contributed to highlighting and illustrating their cultural habits and culinary arts.

Ms. Yolanda Jah, wife of the President of the Islamic Culture Foundation, Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Circle, indicated that the book aims to bring the reader closer to the cultural richness of countries of the Islamic World through the cooking traditions and practices related to the month of Ramadan.

The charitable Diplomatic Circle is a non-profit association, established 30 years ago, to support social projects, whose members include the wives of accredited ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Morocco. The sales proceeds of “Ramadan Tastes” will be allocated to support several humanitarian programmes in Morocco.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mrs. Giovanna Barberis, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Morocco. The parties discussed ways of developing cooperation between the two organizations, particularly in the field of education.

During the meeting, which several ICESCO’s advisors and heads of sectors and departments attended, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Organization has undergone several processes of development and modernization. The changes include ICESCO’s vision, strategy, and action mechanisms.  The Organization also opened up to cooperation and partnership with international organizations in areas of common interest, the DG continued.

Discussions also focused on practical programs, to be jointly implemented, in supporting children and providing quality education and training opportunities, especially for girls and youth. The parties also agreed to hold technical meetings between the UNICEF team and experts from ICESCO’s Education and Human and Social Sciences Sectors to discuss the proposed cooperation programs and plans for their implementation.

Both parties also discussed the possibility of cooperation between UNICEF and ICESCO’s Strategic Foresight Center in conducting studies on the future of children’s education after COVID-19, and in other areas of common interest.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, paid his respects to the Chadian President, Idris Deby, may Allah rest his soul, at the Embassy of Chad in Rabat.

Mr. Mahamat Abdelrassoul, Ambassador of Chad to Morocco, received the Director-General, who expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy, on behalf of all ICESCO employees, to the people of Chad on the death of this great man, who was keen on promoting cooperation and partnership between his country and ICESCO.

The DG also wrote in the Embassy’s Condolences Book, reaffirming that the death of Mr. Deby is a loss, not only to Chad but to Africa and the Islamic world at large. He wrote that the late president was a great leader with a remarkable sense of leadership, wisdom, and vision, who vowed to build and develop the Chadian society, adding that during his rule, Chad scored major progress in the fields of education, science, and culture.

ICESCO mourned the death of the Chadian President in an official statement last week following his death announcement, wherein it commended his dedicated efforts to achieve development in his country and his support for culture and literature.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a cooperation agreement with the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research (the Higher Education and Scientific Research Sector), and the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) in Rabat. The agreement concerns the Award of the “Best Scientific Research on Combating Violence against Women,” which includes five categories, to be granted to the best scientific research works aimed at producing new knowledge or solutions for this phenomenon.

The agreement was signed yesterday, April 26, 2021, at the headquarters of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Sector, in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Saaid Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Moroccan National Committee for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG); Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Education; and Dr. Jamila EL Alami, Director of CNRST.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Dr. Amzazi stressed that the Award represents a celebration of scientific research in general and scientific research on arts and social sciences in particular.

“The Award is part of the Kingdom of Morocco’s initiative to combat violence against women, launched on 08 March 2020, under the supervision of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem. This initiative reflects the great partnership between the Ministry and ICESCO, and the Organization’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year for Women” Dr. Amzazi underscored.

On his part, Dr. Ouaouicha highlighted the spread of violence against women in our societies, particularly during the lockdown period. “Such situation stresses the importance of this Award which is likely to contribute to combating this phenomenon and finding scientific solutions to it,” he added.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik indicated that the teachings of Islam call for honoring women and combating violence against them, noting that ICESCO is making every effort to grant women their rights. “ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the year of women, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is part of these efforts,” he highlighted.

Dr. AlMalik also stated that “this partnership will herald other partnership agreements with universities and research institutions and encourage the establishment of several ICESCO academic chairs. This Award will be the start of similar prizes in other countries of the Islamic World.”

On her part, Dr. Jamila EL Alami said that this Award is the first of its kind at the national level while highlighting its salient stages starting from nominations until the announcement of winners. The participants also took part in the 2021 award ceremony.

According to the agreement, the winners will receive the Award on the 8^th of March of every year, corresponding to the celebration of International Women’s Day. The nominated scientific research works should be:

• Book published in the past five years;
• Thesis published in the past five years;
• Chapter from a book published in the past five years;
• Article published in a scientific journal in the past five years;
• Scientific paper submitted to a scientific event in the past two years.

The scientific research works can be written in Arabic, French, or English. The prize money of the Award is as follows:

• The best book: 30,000 MAD;
• The best thesis: 25,000 MAD;
• The best chapter:15,000 MAD;
• The best scientific article: 15,000 MAD;
• The best scientific contribution: 10,000 MAD.

Based on the recommendations of experts, the Award can be granted to more than one winner in each category.

In a bid to strengthen partnership and cooperation with the National Commissions as part of the participatory and consultative approach that the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) pursues, the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences of ICESCO continues to hold a series of bilateral virtual meetings with the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture in the Member States.

Talks during the meetings revolve around several topics, namely:

• The priorities, activities, and achievements of the National Commissions.
• The challenges that National Commissions face, and their opinions and future visions.
• Proposals to enhance cooperation and partnership between National Commissions and ICESCO.
• Proposals to develop educational, cultural, and scientific systems post-Covid 19.
• Proposals specific to the ICESCO Year of Women 2021, the empowerment of women, and the preservation of their educational, cultural, scientific and technological rights.

The meetings provide an opportunity for joint reflection, extensive discussion, and exchange of knowledge, expertise, and successful experiences in the Organization’s areas of competence. They also offer a platform for exploring the challenges facing National Commissions and ways to address them and bolstering the roles of the Commissions in the advancement of educational, cultural, and scientific systems in Member States.

The meetings are also an opportunity to enable ICESCO to define the needs and aspirations of its Member States in the Organization’s action areas, taking into account the national, regional, and international issues affecting the sectors of education, science, and culture.

To promote the meetings, the General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences will prepare comprehensive reports that include proposals, recommendations, and concrete outputs for the benefit of the National Commissions and the sectors and centers of the Organization.