Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded a training workshop titled “Capacity Building: Mental Health Training for Adolescents and Youth,” organized in cooperation with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, in Aden on 6 and 7 October 2025. The workshop benefited 35 young men and women and aimed to raise awareness about mental and psychological health while equipping youth with the skills needed to cope with crises.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Hafiza Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Yemeni National Commission, emphasized the importance of the workshop in enhancing young people’s understanding of mental health and its connection to conflict, thereby strengthening their resilience within their communities. She noted that societies cannot mature without fostering inner strength and ensuring psychological and social well-being.

For his part, ICESCO representative Mr. Alioune Ndiaye, Head of Peace Division at the Social and Human Sciences Sector, highlighted that mental health and youth empowerment form a central focus of ICESCO’s strategic vision. He referred to the Organization’s practical initiatives, including the publication of two mental health guides and the organization of previous training sessions in Morocco and Libya.

The workshop concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony attended by Mr. Iqbal Yassin Bahader, Deputy Director of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Yemen, Dr. Al-Khader Nasser Laswar, President of the University of Aden, along with several professors and academics.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed two MoUs with the Wasatiyyah Institute for Peace and Development, affiliated with the Office of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, and with Krirk University in Bangkok, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the fields of peaceful coexistence and civilizational dialogue, and advancing academic, scientific, and research collaboration. The signing took place on Thursday, 9 October 2025, on the sidelines of the third international conference titled “The Arabic Language in the Modern Era: Literacy, Opportunities, Challenges,” held in the Thai capital.

The first MoU was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Abdullah Numsuk, Director of the Wasatiyyah Institute for Peace and Development. Spanning three years, the MoU seeks to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, spread the values of peace and coexistence, and foster sustainable peace and social cohesion, through joint training programs, international conferences, and exchange of expertise, research, and scientific publications.

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that partnerships with religious and civil institutions in Asia are a key driver for embedding a culture of peace. He noted that the MoU supports the implementation of joint initiatives to build youth capacities, empower community leaders, and carry out practical programs to counter hate speech.

The second MoU was signed by Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, President of Krirk University. It aims to establish an institutional framework for academic and research cooperation, including the launch of joint research projects and the organization of specialized conferences and seminars in the fields of language, innovation, and civilizational studies.

In this context, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the signing of the MoU aligns with ICESCO’s strategic approach to expand international cooperation networks and exchange expertise, thereby supporting societal stability and enhancing the role of education, science, and culture in fostering peace and development.

As part of his first official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with His Eminence Sheikh Arun Boonchom, Sheikhul Islam and President of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, in Bangkok.

The meeting explored avenues for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the Central Islamic Council in promoting interfaith coexistence and advancing the values of moderation and tolerance as fundamental pillars for building balanced and inclusive societies.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives in this field, particularly those carried out through its Center for Civilizational Dialogue. He highlighted the innovative concept of Civilizational Diplomacy, which seeks to shape individuals and societies on strong civilizational foundations that foster peace and intercultural understanding. He also presented several specific initiatives, including the “Read it to Understand it” initiative, which aims to deepen understanding of the Holy Quran and promote the values of dialogue and mutual respect. Additionally, Dr. AlMalik proposed organizing a symposium on Thailand’s experience of peaceful coexistence, as well as another on the cultural ties between Thailand and the Islamic world.

For his part, Sheikh Arun Boonchom commended ICESCO’s efforts in promoting tolerance and coexistence, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in this area, particularly in Thailand, where Muslims make up approximately 10% of the population. He also expressed his eagerness to develop joint programs aimed at promoting the values of moderation, centrism, and dialogue.

The two parties agreed to strengthen mutual participation in conferences and seminars organized by ICESCO in this field, and to move forward with signing a cooperation agreement between the Organization and the Office of the Sheikhul Islam in Thailand, on the sidelines of the International Conference on Arabic Language, to be hosted by Krirk University tomorrow.

His Excellency Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, received Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the presidency headquarters in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, praising the efforts of the interim government in laying the foundations for a promising future for Bangladesh in the fields of education, culture, science, and the environment.

ICESCO Director-General commended the pioneering initiatives launched by Professor Muhammad Yunus throughout his international career, most notably the Grameen Bank for the poor and the “Three Zeros” initiatives (Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions), in addition to the entrepreneurial incubator initiative supporting social and economic development.

Dr. AlMalik emphasized that cooperation between ICESCO and Bangladesh represents a distinguished model of partnership. He noted that during this visit, opportunities for collaboration were explored with several senior advisers and officials from the Ministries of Education; Culture; and Women and Children, and Social Affairs, with the aim of developing joint initiatives that support sustainable development in Bangladesh and other Member States.

He also announced that ICESCO’s 2026–2029 strategy will include the adoption of the “Three Zeros” initiatives as a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, alongside integrating entrepreneurship as a key driver to support and empower youth to become active partners in shaping educational, cultural, and social policies and strategies.

For his part, Prof. Yunus highlighted the most successful initiatives in Bangladesh that could benefit ICESCO Member States reaffirming the commitment of the interim government to strengthen cooperation with the Organization in the fields of innovation and social development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented the ICESCO Shield to Prof. Yunus in recognition of his international efforts and initiatives in sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and youth support.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), extended his heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Dr. Khaled El-Enany on his election as Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the 2025-2029 term after winning a landslide victory in the historic vote conducted by the UNESCO Executive Board on Monday, 6 October 2025, in Paris.

Dr. AlMalik praised this honorable appointment, describing it as a historic turning point, marking the first time an Arab Egyptian has assumed this prestigious position. He affirmed that Dr. El-Enany enjoys a distinguished scientific and academic expertise coupled with proven administrative competence, demonstrated throughout his professional career, highlighting his notable contributions in education, culture, heritage preservation, and science, qualities that make him well-suited to lead UNESCO toward new horizons of creativity and innovation.

Moreover, ICESCO Director-General expressed his full confidence in Dr. El-Enany’s ability to elevate UNESCO’s status as a global beacon for peace, knowledge, and intercultural understanding. He pointed out that Dr El-Enany’s previous accomplishments in safeguarding and efficiently managing human heritage constitute a significant asset for his success in this major international mission.

Dr. AlMalik congratulated the Egyptian government on this historic achievement, commending its comprehensive mobilization of resources and unwavering support throughout the election campaign; efforts that culminated in the election of an Arab Egyptian to this high-level international position.

He further emphasized that ICESCO places its full trust in fostering a fruitful strategic partnership with UNESCO under Dr. El-Enany’s leadership, contributing to the promotion of a culture of peace, advancement of shared goals, support for innovation, protection of human heritage, and strengthening the role of culture, education, and science in achieving sustainable development and serving humanity as a whole.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met with Mr. Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, Adviser for Cultural Affairs to the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on Monday, 6 October 2025, at the soon-to-be-inaugurated July Memorial Museum, dedicated to commemorating the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising in Bangladesh.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his admiration for the museum’s comprehensive documentation and accurate presentation of the history of Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom and dignity, emphasizing that this initiative represents a significant addition to the country’s cultural landscape.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s strategy in culture and heritage preservation, highlighting the Organization’s initiatives to support museums, safeguard historical memory, and promote cultural and creative industries across Member States.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to organize specialized training for Bangladeshi youth to equip them with skills in heritage inscription, protection, and conservation, in addition to supporting the adoption of cultural indicators and the development of cultural and creative economies in Bangladesh.

For his part, Mr. Farooki praised ICESCO’s efforts in strengthening cultural cooperation among Member States and expressed his country’s aspiration to establish strategic partnerships with the Organization to advance museum development, cultural projects, and innovation initiatives.