Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Kamil Samigullin, Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan, and discussed cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in the field of consolidating the values of coexistence, peace, and civilizational dialogue and countering extremism and hate speech.
During the meeting, held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, as part of Dr. Al-Malik’s visit to Tatarstan to participate in the Kazan World Youth Summit 2023, ICESCO DG stressed that the Organization gives priority to disseminating the true and tolerant image of the Islam worldwide, highlighting the Organization’s programs to train youth on leadership for peace and security, and its efforts in the field of civilizational dialogue through its new Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and the “Read it to Understand” initiative, launched in an effort to confront the heinous campaigns to attack the Holy Qur’an, as well as the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, housed at its headquarters, in Rabat, which has attracted more than three million visitors since its inauguration in November 2022.
For his part, the Mufti of Tatarstan commended the efforts of ICESCO and the importance of cooperation with Muslim countries, noting that his country is a role model for coexistence between followers of different religions.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Mintimer Shaimiev, State Councillor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Renaissance Foundation for Historical and Cultural Monuments, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, to discuss the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in the fields of culture, particularly the preservation and promotion of heritage.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO places the protection, safeguarding and promotion of heritage at the forefront of its strategic orientations, as it represents the identity of peoples, adding that the Organization had inscribed several historic sites and cultural elements on its Islamic world heritage lists.
ICESCO DG also welcomed the willingness of the Republic of Tatarstan to rebuild historic sites, mosques and churches vandalized in the past, stressing ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate in this area.
For his part, Mr. Mintimer Shaimiev presented the fields of action of the Renaissance Foundation for Historical and Cultural Monuments, and its role in the restoration of a number of Islamic and Christian historical sites in Tatarstan, within the framework of projects aimed at reviving the ancient city of Bulgar and the city of Sviyazhsk, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Organization to inscribe the Republic’s heritage sites on ICESCO’s lists of heritage in the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), started his visit to the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, to take part in the Kazan 2023 World Youth Summit, by meeting with Ms. Leyla Fazleeva, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan, in the presence of Mr. Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan. The meeting focused on prospects for cooperation in areas of common interest.
During the meeting, held on Monday, August 28, 2023, in Kazan, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key elements of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, as well as the main ongoing initiatives, programs and projects aimed at contributing to capacity-building for young people and women, promoting the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue, and encouraging investment in the fields of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and space sciences. He also discussed the promotion and preservation of the Islamic world’s heritage, as well as the inscription of historic sites and cultural elements on ICESCO’s tangible and intangible heritage lists.
The discussions focused on several proposals for collaboration between ICESCO and the Republic of Tatarstan, intending to implement a range of projects and programs in areas of common interest.
For her part, Ms. Leyla Fazleeva commended ICESCO’s initiatives and efforts in the fields of education, science and culture, underlining the Tatarstan government’s commitment to establishing fruitful cooperation with the Organization.
The meeting took place in the presence of Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector. ICESCO DG and the accompanying delegation visited the Qolsharif Mosque, considered to be the largest mosque in Tatarstan, which was built in the 16th century, destroyed in 1552, and rebuilt in 1996, thanks to contributions from several countries to the construction fund.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited the Technological Economic Zone and Innopolis University, specialized in modern technology development, artificial intelligence applications, and robotics, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. This visit is part of his participation in the Kazan Global Youth Summit 2023.
During the visit on Monday, August 28, 2023, Dr. AlMalik had a rich discussion with over 200 male and female university students representing various countries. He answered their questions on strategic foresight and the major challenges posed by the fast-paced global changes.
In the same vein, ICESCO DG underlined the importance of acquiring skills that are well-suited to the jobs and professions of the future, which will become a global reality in the next few years. He also highlighted that a nation’s strength lies in its young talents, who have the creative and innovative capacities to face all future challenges.
It is worthy of note that Innopolis University, founded on December 10, 2012, specializes in Information Technology and Robotics Development. It holds a prestigious status in these fields and attracts students from all around the world, offering numerous scholarships annually. The university comprises 17 research laboratories and 9 scientific centres, in addition to ongoing partnerships with 153 leading companies in the Information Technology sector.
ICESCO DG also met with Patriarch Kirill, the Metropolitan Bishop of Tatarstan and Kazan, where they discussed the importance of collaborative efforts to promote values of coexistence and global peace.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Organisation for Education, Science, and Culture (ICESCO), emphasized the need to uphold genuine traditional values to build a prosperous global future. “The essence of such values cultivates the qualities of young people’s character, empowering them to overcome the obstacles that impede their progress and allowing them to face arising challenges. Youth plays a key role and education should not only focus on qualifying them for future responsibilities, but also on equipping them with critical thinking skills to discern and reject all forms of violence and extremist discourse,” he added.
This came in his address, delivered on Monday, August 28, 2023, at the opening session of the Second Edition of Kazan Global Youth Summit 2023, organized by the government of the Republic of Tatarstan, in partnership with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, from August 28th to the 30th, 2023, in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan. The event brings together ministers, ambassadors, regional and international organizations, and several youth policymakers from 67 countries.
In his address, Dr. AlMalik commended the efforts made by the Republic of Tatarstan, in cooperation with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, which culminated in selecting Kazan as the Youth Capital of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for 2022, emphasizing the importance of this summit, held under the theme “The Role of Traditional Values in the Education of Children and Youth in the Modern World” which underscores the necessity of instilling traditional values among youth to enable them to have unwavering stance while embracing global diversity.
Moreover, he reaffirmed the importance of youth as a demographic force representing 16% of the global population and embodying its future, highlighting the challenges that must be overcome and addressed to build a thriving global community.
Furthermore, ICESCO DG highlighted the Organization’s efforts to promote principles of coexistence and respect for cultural diversity in educational curricula through the organization of sports activities, training educators, and emphasizing the fundamental principles shared among all religions, including values of compassion, solidarity, appreciation, respect, unity, and understanding. “ICESCO looks forward to intensifying international cooperation for the dissemination of human values that are indispensable to overcoming current challenges,” he stressed.
In conclusion, Dr. AlMalik lauded the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, hosted at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, which has garnered over three million visitors, explaining that the Exhibition embodies the great inherent human virtues and moral values, and indicating that ICESCO strives to ensure the seamless integration of the discourse of the Islamic world’s civilization into the global discourse.
The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, witnessed a spiritual celebration bringing together a host of high-level personalities in love of the best of creation, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, held on Friday, August 25, 2023, in partnership with the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars, to mark three million visitors to the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization since its inauguration in November 2022.
The celebration began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, wherein he reaffirmed that the Exhibition and Museum have been a success since its inauguration, in the presence of HRH Prince Moulay El Hassan, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, noting that this museum is a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his faithful Crown Prince, HRH Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.
Furthermore, he pointed out that ICESCO headquarters has had the honor to receive visitors of the exhibition from all over the Islamic world and beyond coming in a spirit of love, celebrating the knowledge provided about the biography of the most generous of creation, our master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and reaching three million visitors in a short period of time.
Dr. AlMalik commended the tripartite strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars, the outcomes of which include the organization of this edition of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization. ICESCO Director-General thanked everyone who contributed to the success of this Exhibition and Museum, and visitors as well, concluding his address with a poem composed in love of Al-Mustafa, peace and blessings be upon him. In his address, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of Mohammadia League of Scholars, highlighted that the Exhibition and Museum display the characteristics and attributes of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and the responsibility of Prophethood as the greatest responsibility ever in a simplified manner to reach out to different age groups, which is the challenge that we addressed in this Exhibition at ICESCO headquarters. For his part, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, reaffirmed that the celebration of three million visitors of the Museum is a source of joy as the biography of our noble Prophet is worth that large number of visitors coming from inside and outside Morocco.
He also indicated that the current global developments require using modern technologies in presenting information, adding that the Museum has responded to such requirement by identifying questions about the Prophet’s biography and providing adequate answers, concluding his address by announcing the continuation of this edition of the Exhibition in the Kingdom of Morocco.
After that, Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Al-Issa and Dr. Abbadi honored Dr. Mohamed Belbachir Al-Hassani, founder of the Islamic Studies Department in Morocco, who concluded the number of three million visitors to the Exhibition and Museum.
Afterwards, the participants enjoyed an interlude of Islamic chants praising the best of Mankind, peace and blessings be upon him, performed by: Mustafa Atef, from Egypt, Muhammad Radi Al-Sharif, from Saudi Arabia, and Abdulhakim Khizrane, from Morocco. The ceremony concluded with a poem by the great Syrian poet Anas Al-Daghim.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure the right of people to freedom in the same manner they enjoy other rights, calling for countering the risks associated with metaverse and artificial intelligence applications, which threaten the system of values and ethics and the principles of freedom, and warn people against losing their freedoms in favour of machines.
This statement came in ICESCO DG’s address, delivered on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the opening session of the International Conference on “Regulating Freedoms in Accordance with Islamic Values and Principles of International Law,” organized by the League of Islamic Universities, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, which brought together high-level scholars and religious leaders, university presidents, thinkers and researchers in international law.
In the same vein, ICESCO DG highlighted that Muslims in the early days of Islam fully understood the message of our religion, which calls for liberation from humiliation and subjugation, and, thus, they ruled the world with justice and fairness. “On the other hand, scientific and technical development without taking into consideration people’s cultural and social differences yielded a single story that seeks to standardize civilizational awareness and set the Western experience as a model to follow for all humanity,” he added.
He also pointed out that in an effort to confront the prejudiced campaign, which allows some ignorant ideological trends to attack the Holy Quran, ICESCO announced its initiative “Read it to understand it,” which is characterized by comprehensiveness, accuracy and seriousness as a positive response in the face of these miserable campaigns, calling for resolute efforts to highlight the true image of the Islamic civilization, the civilization of creativity, sophistication and science.
In his address, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, President of the League of Islamic Universities and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, stressed that freedoms morally and spiritually cannot remain uncontrolled as Islam guarantees rights and freedoms, indicating that most world countries seek to establish peace and harmony in their societies within the framework of shared commonalities between various groups of society far from ignorance, materialism, grudges and ideologies.
For his part, Dr. Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, highlighted that the issues of rights and freedoms have become at the core of intellectual, literary and philosophical debates, especially with the great technological development that has provided greater space for communication between peoples, pointing out that the Holy Quran calls upon people to fulfill their duties while enjoying their rights, and that development loses its meaning and deviates from its purpose to serve humanity if stripped from the moral system.
Dr. Sami al-Sharif, Secretary-General of the League of Islamic Universities, explained that this conference comes within the framework of the relentless efforts to promote rights and freedoms in the Islamic world as the system of religious values in Islam stresses the common human ancestry and the centrality of human rights and freedoms.
The conference agenda also featured scientific sessions on various themes, including the philosophy of freedom and intellectual trends, the concept of freedom from the Islamic perspective, freedom under the principles of international law, the anarchy of freedom and the fuelling of civilizational clash, and the leading initiatives in regulating the freedom of opinion and expression.
The third session of the International Symposium on Space Sciences and the Training Workshop on Designing Educational Satellites (CANSAT), held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Istanbul Technical University, kicked off on Monday, July 31, 2023, in the Republic of Türkiye, under the theme “Building the Global Workforce for the Future,” in the presence of a high-level group of officials, astronauts and international experts in the field of space sciences, and with the participation of university students and researchers from 27 ICESCO Member States.
The opening session began with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), who expressed his happiness at the large attending audience, which highlights the commitment of the Organization and its Member States to contribute to the development of areas of knowledge, innovation and cooperation in exploring space science.
Besides, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO seeks to strengthen youth capacities through initiatives and programmes, most notably the proclamation of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
ICESCO DG also noted that the Organization seeks through cooperation with leading universities to promote scientific and technological progress in its Member States and raise awareness of the need to sponsor and advance the field of space science, adding that the Organization aims to enrich scientific knowledge and facilitate the prosperity of young people to become future leaders in space science.
For his part, Dr. İsmail Koyuncu, President of Istanbul Technical University, during his address delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ali Deniz, Vice-President of the University, highlighted the efforts made to develop space science, technology and industry by supporting scientific laboratories and entrepreneurship in the field of space science aimed at contributing to the development of the leading technological innovations in Türkiye.
In her address, Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, reviewed a number of the most important discoveries and inventions that transformed the history of humanity throughout the ages, highlighting that it is difficult to prevent man from accessing knowledge, including space exploration, which turned from a race into a journey and a march towards sustainable development.
Dr. Zahit Mecitoglu, Dean of the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Istanbul Technical University, welcomed the participants and stressed the University’s willingness to enhance cooperation with ICESCO Member States.
The first session touched on developing the capacities of the next generation in space science while the second session tackled manpower development in the field of space science applications. The third session discussed the relationship between space science and the goals of sustainable development in addition to a discussion session with a group of astronauts.
Afterward, the six-day workshop kicked off in Istanbul and Aksaray, aimed at training university students and researchers on designing and manufacturing an educational satellite (CANSAT) and learning its various applications and the importance of space science and its applications to building a better future for all.
On Saturday July 29, 2023, the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the closing ceremony of the 15th session of the International Festival for Children of Peace, organized by the Bouregreg Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco and a number of national institutions, under the honorary presidency of HRH Princess Lalla Meryem. The closing ceremony saw the participation of more than 400 children from 26 countries, with the aim of establishing a culture of peace and coexistence among the children of the world.
The closing ceremony saw high-level attendance, including Dr. Rana Tanweer Hussain, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a number of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, and a host of representatives of international organizations in the Kingdom of Morocco and institutions participating in organizing the Festival.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), called for according due attention to children, as they are our greatest hope for the future. He also called on parents to urge their children to seek knowledge, and live by the noble Islamic values of honesty, righteousness, generosity, and compassion for the poor and the needy.
Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the best way to celebrate peace is to harness the power of children to enhance our humanity, as their pure souls and gentle hearts manifest the highest expressions of human fraternity.
He stressed that ICESCO seeks to anchor the values of peace, social cohesion, civilizational dialogue and creativity to build peaceful societies and a safe and secure environment, where children are protected and guaranteed a prosperous future.
Afterwards, ICESCO DG received the shield of the Bouregreg Association from Mr. Abderrahmane Rouijel, Director of the Children of Peace Festival, in appreciation of his contribution to spreading the culture of peace. He also exchanged gifts and souvenirs with representatives of the delegations participating in the ceremony, with the participation of the Pakistani Minister of Education and the ambassadors present.
The ceremony kicked off with a musical performance by the Children of Afnan al-Qanun Group from the city of Salé. The Group played several pieces of Arab musical heritage. The next performance was by the child, Lina Amour, who delivered the “Peace Call”, which highlights the importance of culture and sports in uniting hearts and strengthening fraternity among countries.
The peace call also highlighted the importance of anchoring diversity and the pursuit of peace, promoting civilizational dialogue and rejecting hatred; sheds lights on the potential and opportunities modern technology applications offer vis-à-vis fostering understanding and bridging gaps among peoples; and stresses the need to ensure the use of artificial intelligence applications in an ethical and responsible manner.
Following that, the art show began, in which children from the delegations of the participating countries presented performances from the artistic, lyrical and musical heritage of their respective countries.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan through several programs and projects in the field of education and youth capacity building. At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (July 27, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Hamid Asghar Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as some heads of ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Hussain reaffirmed their keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan and expand their partnership to implement new set of programs and projects.
Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major current programs and projects of the Organization falling within the framework of its vision and strategic orientations, which give priority to the development of educational systems in its Member States, building youth capacities and developing their skills to keep up with the ongoing global technological developments.
For his part, Dr. Hussain commended ICESCO’s role in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that there are broad areas for developing this bilateral partnership.
The meeting touched on joint programs and projects, some of which are already underway and another to be launched during the next phase, most notably the program for improving water and sanitation services in several rural schools in Pakistan, and updates on and rules for obtaining scholarships offered by Pakistan for the youth from the Islamic world through ICESCO.
The two parties also discussed cooperation in a number of ICESCO programs aimed at enhancing the exchange of experiences between the Muslim countries, including ICESCO Digital Library, and supporting the educational process in some of the neediest Member States.
After the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Hussain on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently hosted by ICESCO headquarters, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars.
