Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met yesterday, August 12 Mr. Abdelhamid Abdaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Algeria to Morocco, to explore ways for the Organization and the country to cooperate.

At Embassy of Algeria in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik underlined ICESCO’s vision and strategic plan. He also highlighted the Organization’s substantial initiatives, activities, and programs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to support Member States’ efforts in mitigating the impact of the pandemic in the fields of education, science, and culture. Dr. AlMalik seized the opportunity to invite Algeria to join the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition,” a key initiative for ICESCO.

The DG also stated that ICESCO continues its work to inscribe Member States heritage sites in the Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL). He added that the sites are inscribed in cooperation with their respective states and the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC).

Ambassador Abdaoui commended the major work that ICESCO carries out. He also commended the inscription of the Islamic world heritage initiative, noting that Algeria will submit applications to inscribe several of its landmarks on IWHL.

The Algerian official also praised the Organization’s efforts in the fields of education, science, and culture. Ambassador Abdaoui stated that both the Algerian president and government follow with great interest and appreciation ICESCO’s work.

The two parties agreed to develop new cooperation opportunities between ICESCO and Algeria. They also agreed to work together to implement joint programs and activities that correspond to Algerian needs, based on Algeria’s recommendations. The new cooperation prospects are part of ICESCO’s newly developed strategy.

The Algerian ambassador invited ICESCO’s DG to visit and meet with senior officials in Algeria for an active step towards cooperation. Dr. AlMalik thanked the Ambassador for this invitation.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Mr. Seong-Deok Yun, Ambassador of South Korea to Morocco, held a videoconference to discuss cooperation in education and scientific research between the Organization and the country.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s initiatives to support the efforts of Member States to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on education, culture, and scientific research.  Its flagship initiative, he further stated, is the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition”, which many countries, international organizations and institutions, and donors joined and supported. He invited South Korea to, likewise, join the Coalition.

The DG requested that Ambassador Yun conveys ICESCO’s invitation to the South Korean officials to take part in the Organization’s conferences and forums.

Dr. AlMalik added that the officials in South Korea are welcome to share scientific and educational successful stories with their counterparts in ICESCO’s Member States. He also suggested cooperating and joining action to provide some South Korean school grants to students from ICESCO’s Member States.

Ambassador Yun commended the major work ICESCO carries out and expressed his intention to cooperate with the organization on a long-term basis. He also promised to fast-track the school grants discussions with the South Korean Ministry of Education, in cooperation with ICESCO.

Several directors of sectors in ICESCO attended the meeting.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received yesterday, August 11 Mr. Klaus Kögeler, Ambassador of Austria to Morocco. The discussions revolved around ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and the country in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, the DG highlighted the open-door policy in ICESCO’s vision and strategy. He noted that the Organization adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States. Dr. AlMalik added that the charter ensures the active participation of non-Member States, excluding the right to vote. The visit was an opportunity to invite Austria to join ICESCO as an Observer State.

The DG also presented the major changes that ICESCO witnessed and the new working mechanisms it adopted. He said that the Organization’s new approach is based on building sustainable relationships with its Member States. The fresh development translates to specific programs that correspond to their respective needs, in cooperation with officials in every country.

Dr. AlMalik gave an overview of ICESCO’s awards and initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two popular initiatives are “ICESCO Prize for Fighting Coronavirus,” “ICESCO Digital Home,” and the “Societies We Want Initiative.”

 Multiple countries, international organizations, and institutions also supported the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition.” The latter assists local communities in various countries, particularly in Africa. The DG extended an invitation to Austria to join the coalition.

The Austrian Ambassador commended the initiatives and programs that ICESCO launched to help countries mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed a great interest in developing cooperation between Austria and ICESCO.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met yesterday, August 11, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mohammed Saif Al-Shehhi, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco. The discussions revolved around ways to promote cooperation between the two parties.

Dr. AlMalik praised the special relations between ICESCO and the UAE, noting that Abu Dhabi hosted the 40^th session of ICESCO Executive Council last January. He further noted that the meeting ushered the Organization into a new phase as it announced ICESCO’s new vision and future strategy.

The Council’s 40^th session also adopted decisions of historic proportions that opened wider horizons for a joint Islamic action, including the amendments to the Organization’s Charter and internal regulations.

The DG also highlighted the standing cooperation between ICESCO and Emirati Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance. The two institutions co-organized the ongoing Hamdan–ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in the Islamic World Countries. The Foundation and the Organization also funded several educational programs.

Dr. AlMalik commended the sustained keenness of Emirati officials to take part in ICESCO’s conferences and forums. Most recently, the UAE attended the “Extraordinary Virtual Conference of Culture Ministers of ICESCO Member States.” The event brought together 50 states and 22 international organizations. The conference was held under the theme “Sustainability of Cultural Action in Face of Crises,” with the UAE as Chair.

The Emirati official commended ICESCO’s efforts during the pandemic to support the most vulnerable Member States in mitigating the impact of the pandemic in its areas of competence.

The two parties agreed to sustain constructive cooperation between ICESCO and the UAE.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Mr. George Goh, Non-Resident Ambassador of Singapore to Morocco, held a videoconference yesterday, August 11, to discuss cooperation prospects between the Organization and the country in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The DG underlined the open-door policy in ICESCO’s vision and strategy, which seeks to serve ICESCO’s Member States and Muslim communities across the globe. He noted that ICESCO adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States to ensure active participation in various initiatives. He seized the opportunity to invite Singapore and other countries to join ICESCO as Observer States.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial and concrete initiatives, activities, and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the initiatives supported the most vulnerable Member States in mitigating the impact of the pandemic on education, science, and culture.

Foremost among these initiatives, he stated, is the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition”, which received wide recognition and engagement from many countries, international organizations and institutions, and donors. The Coalition gears its projects towards assisting local communities in a number of countries, especially in Africa. He invited Singapore to join the coalition.

For his part, Mr. Goh expressed his delight for holding this meeting, reaffirming his country’s keenness to cooperate with ICESCO in its areas of competence. He added that his country is open to sharing its educational experience, which has scored major successes.

The two parties agreed to look into joint school grant opportunities for Member States students to study in the universities of Singapore. The cooperation discussion also covered scientific research and artificial intelligence, which lies at the heart of ICESCO’s interests.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met yesterday, August 10, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mr. Hussam Eddin Al-Tayeb, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Sudan to Morocco. The discussions revolved around ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Republic of the Sudan.

The two parties reviewed the contributions of ICESCO’s initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paramount among these is the “Societies We Want” initiative, which provides humanitarian aid, sanitizers, and protective equipment against the virus to Sudan and nine other African countries. The Organization and its partners cooperated to the provide the aid to the beneficiaries.

The two officials also discussed the Sudanese remarkable participation in ICESCO’s videoconferences and webinars during the COVID-19 crisis. Among them include the Virtual Extraordinary Conference of Education Ministers in ICESCO Member States and the Virtual Extraordinary Conference of Culture Ministers. The Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture will also hold, in cooperation with ICESCO, the education workshop.

Dr. AlMalik and Mr. AlTayeb discussed a joint action to provide school grants to Sudanese students. Their conversation also covered the keenness of Sudanese students to participate in ICESCO’s awards for the categories of painting, short stories, and short films. The two parties also discussed Sudan’s arrears to ICESCO’s budget.

Ms. Azza Bashir Ali, Consul at the Embassy of the Sudan in Rabat, and Mr. Moatassem Abdel Ghaffar Talha, Counselor at the Embassy, attended the meeting.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met on Monday, August 10 with Mr. Khalid bin Salman bin Jabr Al-Musallam, Ambassador of Bahrain to Morocco, to explore ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and the Kingdom in the fields of education, science, and culture.

During the meeting, held at the Bahraini Embassy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s substantial initiatives, activities, and programs that support Member States’ efforts in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DG stated that these initiatives are part of the open-door policy in ICESCO’s vision and strategy to forge a sustainable relationship with its Member States. One result is to implement specific programs that correspond to their respective needs.

Dr. AlMalik also commented on the notably positive feedback ICESCO’s initiatives had received. One example is the “ICESCO Digital Home” initiative, which compiled a large and diverse collection of digital contents. The “Societies We Want” is also an initiative that provided humanitarian aids to the most vulnerable local communities in some states and supported young and women entrepreneurs in these societies.

The DG also mentioned the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative,” which many countries, international organizations and institutions, and donors joined and supported. He invited Bahrain to, likewise, join the Coalition.

The Bahraini Ambassador underlined that he followed with great interest ICESCO’s projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also commended these efforts, which have immensely helped multiple Member States in the Organization, especially in Africa.

Ambassador Al-Musallam expressed his keenness to promote constructive cooperation between Bahrain and ICESCO in the fields of education, science, and culture. 

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met on August 7 Mr. Raúl Guastavino, Ambassador of Argentina to Morocco, to explore cooperation prospects between the Organization and the country.

During the meeting, held at the Embassy of Argentina in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik underlined the open-door policy in ICESCO’s vision and strategy that seeks to sustain productive partnerships, in service of ICESCO’s Member States and Muslim communities across the globe.

Dr. AlMalik also noted that ICESCO adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States to ensure active participation and sustainable cooperation between both parties. He seized the opportunity to invite Argentina to join ICESCO as an Observer State.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial initiatives, activities, and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the initiatives support the most vulnerable Member States in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

The list of the initiatives includes the “Societies We Want,” which provided humanitarian aids and prevention supplies; and supported young and women entrepreneurs in several states. They also include “ICESCO Digital Home”, which abounds with a large collection of digital, educational, cultural, and outreach contents in various languages.

The DG also mentioned the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative,” which many countries, international organizations, and civil society institutions joined and supported. He invited Argentina’s institutions and major corporations to also join the coalition.

The Argentinian Ambassador commended ICESCO’s clear-sighted vision and the remarkable diversity of its activities. The Ambassador inquired about the scope of work and the possibility of kick-starting cooperation between the two parties. Ambassador Guastavino reaffirmed the numerous cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Argentina in charge of education, culture, and science.

Mr. Guastavino also noted that Argentina has a large Islamic center and is home to a Muslim community that enjoys equal rights and freedom within the Argentinian society.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Thursday, August 6 Mr. Azzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of Yemen to Morocco to explore cultural and heritage cooperation between the Organization and the country.

During yesterday’s meeting, Mr. Al-Asbahi submitted to ICESCO’s DG a formal request from the Yemeni Ministry of Culture to inscribe elements of Yemen’s intangible cultural heritage on the Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL). The focus was on the “Song of Sanaa” (al-Ghina al-San’ani) and the “Palm Tree: traditions, skills and practices.” These two elements are on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO added the “Song of Sanaa” and the Palm Tree File, a joined file from 14 Arab countries, to the list in 2008 and 2019, respectively.

The DG welcomed the Yemeni request, promising to examine and submit it to the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) at the earliest. Dr. AlMalik added that the aesthetic features, beautiful rhythms, and unique lyrics of the “Song of Sanaa” are distinguishing features from other musical genres. ICESCO’s DG also described the palm tree as an authentic Arab heritage.

The Yemeni Ambassador informed Dr. AlMalik of the current disconcerting state of heritage in Yemen due to the heavy rain in the country during the last period. He added that the inclement weather caused landslides in some historic sites and the collapse of four historic buildings in the Old City of Sanaa, which are included in the World Heritage List. Ambassador Al-Asbahi stated that the impact of climate change adds to a long list of dangers threatening the Yemeni heritage. He also explained that 74 out of 114 of the 500-year-old dragon tree, found in Socotra Island, are under the threat of extinction in the next 100 years if the environmental situation in the region persists.

The two parties agreed on the importance of joint action to safeguard the Yemeni heritage, as a substantial addition to human heritage and civilizational legacy for future generations.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Furqat Sadiqov, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, explored Tuesday, August 4 the cooperation prospects between the Organization and the country in the coming period.

The meeting came amid the celebration of “Bukhara as the 2020 Islamic World Capital of Culture for the Asian region.” Mr. Ulugbek Maksudov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia, and several directors of sectors in ICESCO attended today’s meeting via videoconferencing.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to develop special cooperation with Uzbekistan, a country with a rich civilization and remarkable contributions to Islamic history in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial initiatives and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the initiatives support the most vulnerable Member States in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

One notable example is the Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative, which many countries and international organizations and institutions joined and supported, seizing the opportunity to invite Uzbekistan to join the Coalition.

The Deputy Foreign Minister commended ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in the light of the current pandemic. Mr. Sadiqov also set forth multiple proposals from the Uzbek Ministry of Culture and the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan to promote a partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and ICESCO.

The proposals included organizing international festivals in Uzbekistan under the aegis of ICESCO. It also listed cooperating with ICESCO to hold an international conference on tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world in 2022 in Bukhara. ICESCO and the Academy would also develop workshops and training sessions, particularly in teaching Arabic.

The DG welcomed these proposals and reaffirmed the special attention the Organization pays to all the recommended topics, especially the conference on heritage in the Islamic world. Dr. AlMalik also noted that ICESCO has inscribed many heritage sites on the Islamic World Heritage List and has recently received new applications to inscribe more. ICESCO’s DG invited Uzbekistan to submit inscription files to the Organization to inscribe its historic sites.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to work together to advance the true image of the Islamic civilization and culture, which call for coexistence and dialogue.