Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Education Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the areas of educational development, innovation support and capacity building.
During the meeting, held on Sunday 5 October 2025 in Dhaka, Dr. Al-Malik praised Bangladesh’s significant progress in literacy, quality education provision and digital transformation support, stressing that ICESCO considers Dhaka a regional model for educational innovation and youth development in the Islamic world.
For his part, Dr. Abrar expressed his deep appreciation for ICESCO’s continued support, emphasizing that his country wishes to benefit from ICESCO’s expertise to modernize its education system and develop the future skills of its young people. The meeting featured discussions on a series of programs and projects proposed for implementation by both parties, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence and digital literacy into school curricula, training teachers in emerging technologies, and strengthening partnerships between universities, research institutions and industry. A joint working group will be formed in the near future to explore ways of implementing these programs and initiatives.
Dr. Abrar hosted a dinner in honor of Dr. Malik, attended by several senior officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in Bangladesh.
Dr. AlMalik announces new initiatives for teachers, stressing their key role as nations’ builders and moral compass
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that teachers are the lifeblood of education, nations’ builders and moral compass, as well as the bearers of knowledge and science. He reiterated ICESCO’s commitment to stand by teachers through training, empowerment, and recognition.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement in his address during a major celebration organized by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday, October 5, 2025, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day. The event was attended by Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Advisor on Education to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, along with a group of senior officials, representatives of the international organizations concerned, and experts in educational affairs. During the ceremony, Bangladesh paid tribute to number of teachers who demonstrated excellence in their work.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted the noble status of teachers in Islam, noting that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, honored the teaching profession when he said, “I was sent only as a teacher.” In this regard, he emphasized the need to celebrate teachers by recognizing their efforts and ensuring they receive the appreciation they deserve, commending Bangladesh’s efforts in supporting and empowering teachers.
In this context, the ICESCO Director-General announced three initiatives in Bangladesh, namely the launch of the ICESCO Teacher Award to honor exceptional educators starting next year, the implementation of a program to build teachers’ capacities in AI applications to education, and the establishment of a research chair at the University of Dhaka specializing in women’s empowerment and capacity building studies.
Dr. AlMalik concluded his remarks by offering advice to teachers, stressing the importance of being role models for future generations, promoting high moral values among their students, and embracing bold and innovative ideas.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Thursday, 25 September 2025, received the Egyptian artist Mohamed Sarwat at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored opportunities for producing meaningful artistic and cultural works in the near future.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s commitment to supporting culture and arts and safeguarding Arab and Islamic heritage, with a particular emphasis on poetry. He also reviewed the Organization’s key initiatives in this area, including the “Cities of Poetry” Competition, the World Poetry Day celebration, and various activities designed to preserve poetry’s place in the cultural memory of the Islamic world.
Moreover, the two parties considered organizing a seminar on the role of art in promoting Islamic values among youth and families, aimed at reinforcing the positive image of arts. They also reached a preliminary agreement to collaborate on the production of sung poems composed by Dr. AlMalik in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to be performed by Mohamed Sarwat.
At the close of the meeting, Mohamed Sarwat expressed his delight at visiting ICESCO and affirmed his willingness to contribute to the Organization’s cultural and artistic initiatives, particularly those targeting young people. He commended ICESCO’s efforts in preserving identity and promoting the values of peace and dialogue. The visit concluded with a tour of the Organization’s facilities and projects, as well as the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography, housed at ICESCO headquarters.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Fabio Chinda, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Morocco, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat on Thursday, 25 September 2025. The meeting aimed to coordinate the arrangements for the upcoming visit of an ICESCO delegation, headed by Dr. AlMalik, to Thailand in October.
The two parties discussed the main highlights of the visit, including Dr. AlMalik’s keynote address as Guest of Honor at the 3rd International Conference on the Arabic Language of International Islamic College Bangkok, in addition to holding a series of meetings with several ministers and prominent religious leaders in the Kingdom.
Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen cooperation and build fruitful partnerships with its Observer Member States, in a way that allows the exchange of expertise across various fields, foremost among them heritage protection, scientific research development, fostering a culture of knowledge, and advancing the educational system both within and beyond the Islamic world.
For his part, Ambassador Chinda emphasized that Thailand will work to ensure the success of ICESCO’s visit and to lay solid foundations for partnership and cooperation between the Organization and the Kingdom, with the aim of developing programs and projects in educational fields, youth capacity-building, and the promotion of peace.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Hani Al Balawi, Expert at the Organization’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Zakari, President of the Arab Open University in the Arab world (AOU), on Thursday, 25 September 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting discussed ICESCO’s support for the AOU’s efforts to establish a new branch in the Kingdom of Morocco.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with universities and supporting them as beacons of knowledge in the Islamic world. He highlighted the Organization’s distinguished scientific and research partnerships with leading academic institutions and the establishment of research chairs in several universities across Member States and beyond. Dr. AlMalik also stressed ICESCO’s support for initiatives aimed at advancing universities in the Islamic world, whether academically, through research, or geographically, by launching new branches in Member States.
For his part, Dr. Al-Zakari commended ICESCO’s efforts in supporting educational and academic institutions in the Islamic world and expressed his aspiration to build bilateral cooperation with the Organization, particularly in support of AOU’s plan to open a new branch in Morocco.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), and Dr. Abdullah Al Mulhim, Expert at ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.
It is worth noting that the idea of establishing a non-profit Open University in the Arab world was initiated by HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz, may God rest his soul. In 1996, HRH Prince Talal officially announced the concept of establishing the Arab Open University as a non-conventional academic institution and as a foundation which contributes to steering development in scientific, social, and cultural spheres. This initiative developed in 2002 into a full-fledged Arab Open University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and nine other Arab countries, in strategic partnership with the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane, former Prime Minister of Morocco, during his visit to the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat on Thursday, 25 September 2025. Dr. AlMalik began the meeting, which was also attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and a number of other ICESCO leaders, by reviewing ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, and highlighting the programs and initiatives it implements in its Member States.
The ICESCO Director-General reviewed the most significant transformations undergone by the Organization and its structure over the past five years, including the modification of the Organization’s name to disambiguate the nature of its competencies and highlight its openness to various parties with the aim of serving the countries of the Islamic world and beyond, as well as the creation of several new sectors and centers specializing in media and communication, strategy and institutional excellence, civilizational dialogue, the Arabic language, calligraphy and manuscripts, poetry and literature, foresight, and artificial intelligence.
Dr. AlMalik also stated that relations with Morocco, the seat country, have developed remarkably over the past few years. ICESCO has implemented some 370 activities in cooperation with the Moroccan authorities, a number of which have enjoyed the royal patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah protect him. These include hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco and has attracted around nine million visitors to date.
For his part, Mr. Benkirane praised the Organization’s recent developments, noting that visiting its headquarters and seeing these developments was like rediscovering ICESCO and its pioneering role.
Dr. AlMalik then took Mr. Benkirane on a tour of the Organization’s departments and specialized centers, as well as the Exhibition and the International Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah.
As part of the celebration of International Literacy Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Moroccan Manahile Games, held an international symposium titled: “Learning by Playing: Board Games as Tools for Education, Spiritual and Socio-Cultural Preservation.” The Symposium featured high-level participation from senior officials, education experts, and representatives of relevant international organizations, as well as 150 students who interacted with a special presentation of a board game designed to educate about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Symposium, held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, aimed to highlight the educational and cultural value of games as tools for learning and to demonstrate their educational benefits in the areas of literacy and critical thinking. It also aimed to promote dialogue between teachers, cultural experts, and game designers on integrating games into educational contexts and to provide students with practical experience within the framework of learning through playing games.
The opening session of the Symposium began with a speech by Dr. Salim Al-Malik, ICESCO’s Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO’s Centre for Civilizational Dialogue. In his speech, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed ICESCO’s belief in the pivotal role of educational games in learning. He stressed the need to invest in the research and development of such games, integrate game-based learning in school curricula, and forge partnerships with innovators and game developers. He also emphasized the importance of empowering young people to produce games and to enhance their knowledge and innovation.
Then, Mr. Waqas Afridi, education expert at ICESCO, presented ICESCO’s strategic vision for education, highlighting its promotion of games as an educational tool for knowledge acquisition.
Dr. Amin El-Majhad, educational game designer and president of Manahile Games, reviewed an international analysis of 27 studies that confirmed the role of educational games in improving children’s knowledge and cognitive functions, enhancing their motivation, and developing their social relationships.
This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, which addressed the challenges and opportunities offered by digital and non-digital educational games and the integration of game-based learning in schools. Ms. Sey emphasized the collective responsibility to reimagine educational models in order to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of education.
The session was attended by prominent representatives from the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Primary Education and Sports, the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Hassan II Mosque Foundation, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the British Council, who emphasized the importance of international partnerships to support educational transformation through alternative methods toward quality learning.
The Symposium also included an interactive workshop in which 150 students participated, featuring a live presentation of an educational board game about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and her country’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, where they discussed the latest developments in cooperation between the two sides, following ICESCO’s delegation’s successful visit to Kazakhstan recently.
At the beginning of the meeting, held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Organization’s delegation, which he led during its visit to Kazakhstan to participate in the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. Moreover, the Congress witnessed the presentation of the Medal of Honor by His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Dr. AlMalik, in recognition of his pioneering role in consolidating the values of global peace.
Dr. AlMalik also briefed his guest on the highlights of his visit to Kazakhstan, where he met with Mr. Erlan Karin, State Counselor; Ms. Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information; Mr. Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources; and His Eminence Sheikh Nauryzbay Haji Taganuly, Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan. The visit further included the signing of two MoUs with the Turkic Academy and the Islamic Organization for Food Security, in addition to visits to several academic and research institutions and several heritage sites.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of Kazakhstan hosting the upcoming Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, as well as welcoming a group of distinguished Kazakhstani professionals to train at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat.
Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, attended the meeting.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, Mr. Fafré Camara, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the Kingdom of Morocco, accrediting him as his country’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Mali in heritage preservation and combating extremism. Dr. AlMalik commended Mali’s active participation in the Organization’s conferences and activities, particularly ICESCO’s initiative to preserve and restore Timbuktu’s historical manuscripts. Dr. AlMalik stressed that these manuscripts, comprising tens of thousands of historical and religious documents, represent a valuable intellectual treasure and that their preservation is essential to protect this unique cultural heritage.
Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the progress achieved in Mali and several other African countries in recent years in education, security, and youth empowerment, underscoring the importance of sustaining these efforts given their significant impact.
For his part, Mr. Camara expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s continuous efforts to support education, peace, coexistence, and security in its Member States. He reaffirmed Mali’s full readiness to cooperate with ICESCO in combating extremism and promoting interfaith coexistence through joint initiatives, practical programs, and impactful projects that address the aspirations and needs of Malian society.
Additionally, Mr. Camara extended an invitation to Dr. AlMalik to visit Mali to participate in the Africa Investment Forum , scheduled for 2 to 4 December 2025.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.
On the sidelines of the International Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 17-18 September 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met His Eminence Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayyad, Egypt’s Grand Mufti.
During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives pertaining to dialogue and intercultural understanding, most notably the “Read it, to Understand it,” which is a qualitative initiative that underlines the importance of understanding the Holy Quran before any interpretation or judgment, seeking to establish a deep knowledge-based approach to address religious texts. He also pointed to the ongoing preparations for the International Conference on “Imam Al-Bukhari: His Life and Legacy,” to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, later this year, stressing the importance of the participation of Egyptian religious institutions in enriching this major scientific conference.
For his part, His Eminence Dr. Ayyad expressed his pride in the close cooperation with ICESCO, pointing out that the two parties share many common interests, which opens up broad prospects for strengthening cooperation on issues of mutual interest. He also stressed Dar Al-Ifta’s keenness to actively contribute to the initiative “Read it, to Understand it” and take part in the Al-Imam Al-Bukhari Conference.
At the close of the meeting, His Eminence the Mufti extended an official invitation to ICESCO Director-General to visit Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta at the earliest opportunity. Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of involving Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta in ICESCO’s programs and seminars on religious and intellectual matters, given its potential to consolidate the values of moderation and coexistence.
