Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Bouréma Kansaye, Mali’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to discuss the details of ICESCO’s initiative to preserve, enhance, and restore Timbuktu’s historical manuscripts, which encompass tens of thousands of documents of significant international importance.
At the beginning of the Meeting, which took place on Friday 6 September 2024, at the Cadi Ayyad University Conference Center in the Kingdom of Morocco, alongside the international symposium dubbed: “Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa,” Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kansaye for attending the symposium and delivering an opening speech. He emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to collaborating with Mali, particularly in the field of manuscript preservation, given the vast number of documents housed in Timbuktu’s libraries, and mentioned the Organization’s plan to establish a specialized center dedicated to scripts and manuscripts.
Dr. AlMalik further highlighted that the ICESCO initiative will restore Timbuktu’s manuscripts to their original state and ensure they are properly cared for, considering their status as a heritage of human and Islamic written knowledge. He mentioned that the initiative would be implemented as soon as all financial aspects were settled, in coordination with relevant authorities in Mali.
For his part, the Malian minister praised ICESCO’s initiative, describing it as a pioneering project, and thanked the Organization for its efforts in preserving and valuing the Timbuktu manuscripts.
The Meeting also addressed several logistical and organizational aspects of the initiative, with an agreement to ensure its successful implementation.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, science and culture, in light of Brazil’s recent accession to ICESCO as an observer state.
During the meeting, held on Wednesday 4 September 2024, at the Brazilian Embassy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the recent positive developments in the relationship between ICESCO and Brazil, particularly Brazil’s accession to the Organization as an observer state, noting that this would elevate the relationship between the Islamic world and Brazil to new heights within areas of ICESCO’s expertise. He also commended the insightful vision of H.E Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and his openness to cooperation initiatives and international partnerships.
Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Brazil through the implementation of several joint programs and projects in education for the benefit of the African region, as well as in the cultural and heritage sectors, to leverage Brazil’s outstanding experience and expertise in these areas.
For his part, Amb. Parola commended ICESCO’s role in developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, reaffirming Brazil’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Organization.
The meeting also discussed prospects for cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, given their role in fostering closeness between cultures and peoples, as well as in the fields of food security, smart agriculture, and renewable energy. The preparations for the anticipated visit of the Director-General of ICESCO to Brazil were also reviewed.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO’s General Directorate; Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Advisor to the Director-General; and Ms. Manuela Nicoletti, Expert at the Culture and Communication Sector.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation from the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, headed by Ms. Sabah Mohammed Al-Maghribi, Director of ICESCO Department at the Commission, in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Amari Zayed, Permanent Representative of Libya to ICESCO. The two sides reviewed the latest developments in the distinguished partnership between the Organization and Libya in areas of common interest.
At the beginning of the meeting, held today, Monday, August 5, 2024 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Al-Malik expressed his pleasure with the positive developments in relations between the Organization and Libya, stressing his full appreciation of the Libyan leadership’s keenness to enhance cooperation with ICESCO that he noticed during his recent visit to the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
ICESCO DG reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to ensure the success of the activities of the celebration of Benghazi as the Culture Capital of in the Islamic World, which spans over a whole year, and its endeavor to meet Libya’s aspirations and needs in the fields of education, science and culture, through cooperation in implementing practical initiatives, programs and projects.
For their part, the members of the Libyan delegation conveyed the greetings of Dr. Musa Al-Magariaf, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, to ICESCO DG, and expressed their thanks for giving them the opportunity to learn about the ICESCO’s action mechanisms through the meetings they will hold with all ICESCO sectors, centers and departments during the their four-day visit to ICESCO.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in cooperation projects between the two sides, and proposed initiatives, programs and activities that will be implemented in the near future.
The Association of Hassouni Sharīfs in the Kingdom of Morocco honored Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the National Ceremony for the Culture of Recognition and Gratitude. The Ceremony, held in Salé, Morocco, on Sunday 4 August 2024, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of His Majesty’s King Mohamed VI accession to the throne, paid tribute to several prominent Moroccan figures across various fields.
During the Ceremony, Dr. AlMalik received his honorary shield from Mr. Abdelmajid Hassouni, head of the Hassouni Sharīfs Zawiya. Mr. Hassouni emphasized that the honor was in appreciation of the Director-General’s efforts in advancing education, science, and culture in the Organization’s Member States, including Morocco. He highlighted Dr. AlMalik’s role in achieving numerous notable accomplishments since taking office, equipping ICESCO with a rejuvenated vision that’s guiding the Organization towards new horizons.
In his address, ICESCO Director-General expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation, acknowledging the prestige in the honor bestowed upon him by such a time-honored Moroccan institution during the celebration of the glorious Throne Day. He prayed that Allah Almighty may protect His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and bless Morocco with continued stability and prosperity.
Dr. AlMalik also praised the role of the Hassouni Sharīfs’ Zawiya, which has been an influential institution since the 16th century, commemorating the legacy of the virtuous Sharīf Abou Mohammed Abdellah ben El Hassan El Khalidi (Ben Hassoun), known for his knowledge, wisdom, and jurisprudence.
Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by reciting verses from the poem “Salé of the Pioneers,” which he composed for the occasion in celebration of the City’s vibrant history and valiant men.
The Ceremony, held under the theme: “The Glorious Throne Day: A National Celebration from the Essence of Our Civilization,” featured artistic performances of Moroccan heritage by several troupes.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the inauguration ceremony of H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, for a second term, which was held on Thursday, August 1st, 2024 at the new Al-Murabitoun Conference Palace in the capital, Nouakchott, and witnessed a high-level presence of a large number of leaders, heads of state and government, ministers, ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.
The ceremony kicked off with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a public session of the Mauritanian Constitutional Council which took a set of constitutional and legal procedures related to the inauguration ceremony. After that, H.E. President El Ghazouani took the constitutional oath, marking the beginning of his second presidential term, and delivered a speech in which he reviewed the broad lines of his vision and action program in his second term.
Dr. Al-Malik congratulated President El Ghazouani, during their handshake at the end of the inauguration ceremony, on the Mauritanian people’s renewed confidence in His Excellency, praising the progress witnessed by Mauritania under his enlightened leadership during his first term.
ICESCO Director General stressed the depth of relations between the Organization and Mauritania, noting that the partnership between the two sides in the fields of education, science and culture has witnessed significant development over the past years, thanks to the direct support of H.E. President El Ghazouani for ICESCO’s efforts and activities, including his generous patronage of the activities of the celebration of Nouakchott as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for the year 2023, and his attendance at the opening ceremony of the celebration.
ICESCO Director General also commended the efforts of Her Excellency Dr. Mariem Mohamed Fadel Dah, the First Lady of Mauritania and ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in the social, educational, scientific and cultural fields and the support she provides to ICESCO’s activities in Mauritania.
Dr. AlMalik expressed his keenness to continue developing the partnership between ICESCO and Mauritania in the future through cooperation in implementing qualitative initiatives, programmes and projects.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), underlined that the high royal patronage that His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, may Allah protect him, grants to Al-Quds Committee, which is honored by his chairmanship and direct supervision, has had a great impact on supporting the steadfastness of Al Quds’ Palestinians through the launch of several social, educational, cultural, medical and humanitarian projects through its executive arm ‘Bayt Mal Al Quds Al Sharif’ Agency despite the obstacles resulting from the difficult occupation conditions.
This came in Dr. AlMalik’s article published in the 28th issue of “Sada Al-Quds Committee” on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day in the Kingdom of Morocco, which is published by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency in both Arabic and English. The new issue includes articles by heads of international organizations and bodies, ministers and senior religious leaders in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
Dr. Malik praised the programs, initiatives and projects implemented by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency for the benefit of children, women and educational institutions, as well as the preservation and protection of Al Quds’ cultural archives, as well as the upcoming inauguration of the Moroccan Cultural Center in Al Quds, which is the first of its kind in the city, as well as the Agency’s efforts in dispatching medical and food convoys every time the Palestinians suffer a calamity or hardship caused by the brutal occupation.
Moreover, ICESCO DG hailed the comprehensive renaissance witnessed by the Kingdom of Morocco under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has provided for his people all the means of a decent life with dedication, sincerity, wisdom and foresight as demonstrated by the comprehensive modernization of all the Kingdom’s regions, which is noticeable to every visitor to Morocco, concluding his article by extending his sincere congratulations to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people on the Throne Day anniversary, beseeching Allah Almighty to bring further progress and prosperity to Morocco and expedite the liberation of Palestine.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) headquarters in Rabat hosted the closing ceremony of the 16th International Festival Children of Peace on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The Festival is organized by Bouregreg Association in the Kingdom of Morocco, under the honorary presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, with the participation of delegations from 25 countries. The Festival aims to foster a spirit of coexistence and cultural exchange among children from various parts of the world.
The ceremony, organized by ICESCO in partnership with Bouregreg Association and attended by high-level officials and ambassadors, kicked off with a speech by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), to congratulate His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and the Moroccan people on the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day. Dr. AlMalik also expressed his profound gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem for her honorary presidency of the Festival.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted that today’s children are the builders of hope and a bright future filled with peace and security and urged all children to be dutiful to their parents. Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by calling on the participating children to shed light on their peers in Palestine, who are subjected to unjust killing and torture.
Following his address, Dr. AlMalik exchanged commemorative shields with Mr. Noureddine Chamaou, President of Bouregreg Association, and Mr. Abderrahmane Rouijel, Founding Director of the Festival, both of whom expressed their gratitude to ICESCO for the hosting and remarkable organization of this event.
Subsequently, two young girls read the “Call for Peace” statement in Arabic and English, which emphasized the urgent need for the world to embrace peace, reject violence, and cease wars that cause immense pain and destruction. The Statement drew attention to the unbearable suffering of children in Gaza, Palestine, highlighting their right to safety and a life free from fear.
The “Call for Peace” urged the international community to lay down arms and adopt dialogue instead of conflict, which shatters lives and families and destroys the future. The Statement pointed out that collaborative efforts could build a world where every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe environment.
The ceremony continued with artistic performances by Children from the participating delegations. They presented folklore, songs, and musical performances from their respective countries, which were met with great appreciation from the audience.
In response to the great success and popularity of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and cultural organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, new updates have been inaugurated in the Museum’s various pavilions in partnership between the Muslim World League, ICESCO and the Mohammadia League of Scholars. Most notable of these updates is “Bashir” which is the first AI-generated virtual character dedicated to the noble Seerah of the Prophet.
This inauguration, on Friday (26 July 2024), saw the presence of Dr Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, Dr. Sami bin Abdullah Al-Saleh, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Kingdom of Morocco, and Dr. Nasser bin Musafer al-Qurashi Al-Zahrani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Exhibitions and Museums of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, representing Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League. They were received at ICESCO headquarters by Dr. Salim M AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO.
The participants extended their thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his patronage of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization. They also expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allah protect him, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allah protect him, for honoring the Kingdom of Morocco with the first edition of this exhibition, which is originally headquartered in Medina.
The participants in the inauguration expressed their happiness with the unparalleled success of the Exhibition and Museum at ICESCO headquarters since its inauguration by the Crown Prince of the kingdom of Morocco, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay El Hassan, on 27 November 2022.
The inauguration began with a tour of the Exhibition’s new sections, most notably “Bashir” section, where Dr. Al-Zahrani reviewed the technical, encyclopedic and scientific capacities of this virtual character, pointing out that it interacts with visitors and answers all their questions pertaining to the Prophet’s biography, providing the exhibition visitors with a unique spiritual digital experience. The attendees praised “Bashir” after it accurately answered their questions, stressing that this step represents an innovative use of the latest technology to serve the biography of our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
After that, the section “Prophets as if you see them” was inaugurated, It includes detailed encyclopedias about prophets and the key stations in their lives, in addition to the Encyclopedia “Signs of prophecy and miracles of the message”, which includes 50 thousand proofs from the Holy Quran and the noble Prophet’s Sunnah, and the Encyclopedia of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him), medicine and health prevention, which features hadiths related to prophetic medicine and ways to prevent diseases and epidemics.
Afterwards, the short film “Story of Zamzam and the Sacred House” was screened in the cinema hall of the Exhibition, to which a number of new films have been added about the biographies of the prophets. The inauguration concluded with launching the development of the section of the greatest Minbar in the world and the trunk that yearned for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Dr. AlMalik, expressed his gratitude to their Excellencies and commended the joint and fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the Muslim World League, represented by its Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, and the Mohammadia League of Scholars, represented by its Secretary General, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, which has achieved great successes, particularly the branch of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat.
It is worth mentioning that this exhibition is the first edition of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization to be held outside Mecca and Medina, which is supervised by the Muslim World League in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of its Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.
A number of delegations participating in the first international forum of military music, organized by the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces on the occasion of Throne Day, visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, being housed at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and cultural organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, received on Friday (26 July 2024), the delegations representing the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, explaining that the Organization is hosting the Exhibition within the framework of its efforts to showcase the correct image of our true religion, in strategic partnership with the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars.
Afterwards, the visitors listened to explanations about the detailed simulation of the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through the use of the latest technologies that take the visitor into a real experience to discover the prophet biography.
At the end of the tour, the visitors expressed their happiness to visit this great Exhibition, commending its ways of addressing all categories in a simplified manner through the use of the latest technologies.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and culture (ICESCO), received Dr. Saud Al-Harbi, former Director General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and former minister of education and higher education of the State of Kuwait. The two parties exchanged views and ideas on the development of action in the educational fields in the Islamic world.
At the beginning of the meeting, held on Friday July 26, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key axes of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, and its programs and projects, especially in the field of education in light of the major global transformations, particularly in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence and the relevant opportunities and challenges in the educational field.
The Director General of ICESCO explained that the Organization is striving to mobilize efforts and encourage commitment to transformation within its Member States towards a new path in education that keeps up with the global developments.
For his part, Dr. Al-Harbi commended the roles played by ICESCO in the development of the fields of education, science and culture in the Islamic world, and provided some ideas and opinions on ways to develop the working methodology of international organizations in the field of education.
