Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture officially concluded the celebration of Cairo as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, at the Hanager Arts Center of the Egyptian Opera House, and organized the award ceremony of the first category of Turathy Photography Contest and inaugurated the exhibition of the works participating in the contest.

The ceremony, which saw the presence of officials, ambassadors, public figures, writers, thinkers and high-level artists, kicked off on Friday, March 10, 2023, with the national anthem of the Arab Republic of Egypt, followed by a documentary film, entitled “Cairo, Culture Capital in the Islamic World,” documenting the activities held in the framework of this celebration throughout 2022.

In her address, Dr. Nevine Al-Kilani thanked ICESCO for its great support of the celebration activities, pointing out that they were unique activities, which covered different areas of arts, and it was an opportunity for Cairo to show its status among the Capitals of Culture and publicize its history and respect for various civilizations and cultures.

She added that the choice of Cairo was the result of its unique position as a meeting place of cultures through successive eras, an important center for culture and creativity and a point of cultural exchange between the East and the West.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, began his address by thanking His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, for his efforts to promote the various aspects of culture, indicating that 159 activities were carried out during this celebration.

He reaffirmed that ICESCO has supported the dreams of Cairo in its aspiration towards the future and implemented several programs in this framework, including training sessions on the use of artificial intelligence applications in the preservation of historical heritage treasures, scholarships for the preservation of antiquities, and teachers training program through the project of international professional certification in teaching.

He also pointed out that Cairo conveyed a message through his celebration to stress its intention to restore its influential historical role, promote its cultural influence and renew cultural action. He thanked all those who contributed to the success of the celebration, and concluded his address by reciting a poem he had written for the occasion, entitled “The Capital of Capitals.”

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Al-Kilani paid tribute to the members of the jury of the Turathy Photography Contest and awarded the prize in its first category on architectural and urban heritage of Cairo, launched by ICESCO and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, represented by the National Organization for Urban Harmony. The first prize was awarded to Mr. Mustafa Al-Shorbagi, the second to Ms. Doaa Adel, and the third was awarded to Ms. Amal Matar. The encouragement prize went to Mr. Fadi Qudsi and Ms. Marwa Hussein. The second category prizes on the heritage of the Islamic world cities will be awarded during a ceremony, to be held at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat.

The award ceremony was later followed by the inauguration of the exhibition of the Turathy Contest, which includes the participating works.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Center of Education Development for Envoys and Foreign Students at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt signed an agreement aimed at promoting academic, artistic and technological cooperation in the areas of education and culture, and providing scholarships in Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for students from the Islamic world.

Ms. Amira Elfadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi, Advisor to the Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for Expatriate Affairs, Head of the Center, signed the cooperation agreement on Friday, 10 March 2023, at the Center’s headquarters in Cairo, in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG).

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik conveyed his thanks to His Eminence, the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed At-Tayyeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, for keeping his promise and providing scholarships for the Islamic world’s youth in the prominent scientific edifice.

In a phone conversation with ICESCO DG, Sheikh At-Tayyeb praised the distinguished cooperation between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and ICESCO, expressing his keenness to promote partnership in building the capacities of young people and offering them scholarships.

Dr. Al-Saeedi noted that this agreement is a major boost to the partnership between the two parties, stressing that the Center signed this agreement to assist and meet the needs of foreign students in cooperation with ICESCO, an Organization which strives relentlessly to advance education in its Member States.

The cooperation agreement provides for the allocation of several scholarships at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for the Islamic world’s youth, the establishment of an ICESCO Chair for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, the promotion and teaching of Arabic calligraphy in ICESCO’s Member States, and the joint organization of conferences, seminars, training sessions and workshops. The agreement also provides for the development of a school curriculum presenting the true image of Islam, promoting the rich culture and civilization of the Islamic world, and celebrating its luminaries and their valuable contributions. The two parties endeavor, through this cooperation agreement, to support projects which are geared towards translating books on heritage, culture and religion, and reinforce the role of media and communication in anchoring the values of tolerance and moderation.

Before the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Al-Saeedi held a meeting to discuss mechanisms for implementing the agreement and fostering cooperation in the next phase and agreed on establishing a joint committee responsible for following up on the agreement’s implementation.

ICESCO DG reviewed the main thrusts of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its key programs and initiatives.

For her part, Dr. Al-Saeedi reviewed the Center’s efforts to assist foreign students from 137 countries in solving any issues they may encounter.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. Al-Saeedi presented Dr. AlMalik with the shield of the Center along with various publications.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that preparing for the future and ensuring the establishment of a developed and prosperous international community is a major responsibility that falls to international organizations, stressing that ICESCO is working to establish a framework for its Member States to place themselves on the track leading to the future and to be proactive in thinking about how to face future challenges and plan the world in a forward-looking manner.

This was part of a speech he delivered on Thursday, 9 March 2023 in Riyadh, on the closing day of the Conference on the Future of Organizations of Education, Culture and Science, held by ALECSO and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, with the participation of ICESCO and UNESCO, under the theme: ” “Together for Impact in the 21st Century.”

In his speech, Dr. AlMalik praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by its National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in the person of its Chairman His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Culture, in implementing Vision 2030 aimed at building society through the development of talents, diversification of sources of income and promotion of scientific capabilities, stressing the need to explore the future in the fields of education, science and culture, and emphasizing the importance of complementarity and cooperation based on the spirit of reliability, honesty and sincerity between organizations in the achievement of the desired goals.

Prior to his speech, Dr. AlMalik took part, along with Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director General of ALECSO, and Ms. Costanza Farina, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Beirut, in the discussion session on “Paving the Way for Future Cooperation.” He stressed the need for organizations to pay special attention to capacity building and training of their staff in order to implement programs and projects to meet the challenges faced by countries and to attract experts from countries with successful experiences in education to build distinguished educational systems and develop curricula.

At the end of his speech, ICESCO Director-General stressed the importance of innovation as an approach to organizations involved in the fields of education, science and culture in the future, raising the possibility of allocating part of their budget to the implementation of joint programs and initiatives, and establishing a common platform dedicated to the organization and implementation of projects in the Member States.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and discussed ways to develop the existing cooperation between ICESCO and the Group to support Muslim countries in the fields of education, science and innovation, and promote the status of Arabic language internationally.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (March 9, 2023), in Riyadh, Dr. AlMalik thanked Dr. Al Jasser for the cooperation between ICESCO and the Group to implement projects in the field of education for people with disabilities and writing African languages in the Quranic script and the project for supporting education in partnership with the Moroccan government.

He stressed that the strategic partnership between ICESCO and the Group contributes directly to supporting sustainable development in the educational, scientific, cultural, humanitarian and social fields in Muslim countries, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to deepen cooperation and partnership between the two parties in the coming period.

For his part, Dr. Al Jasser commended ICESCO’s efforts in serving Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing his keenness to enhance fruitful cooperation between the organization and the Islamic Development Bank Group, in areas of common interest, aimed at launching initiatives and programs that benefit Muslim countries at the economic, social and environmental levels.

The meeting, which also brought together several ICESCO officials, discussed the revision of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties to define the priorities of the Organization and the Group, completing the current projects, launching new programs in the field of community development, particularly in the fields of education and science, and preparing an action plan to be attached to the new memorandum of understanding.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Dr. Al Jasser with an ICESCO shield in appreciation of his efforts and the support provided by the Islamic Development Bank Group in the fields of education, science and culture.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture to overcome the challenge of funding for their programs and projects through innovation and creativity in implementation in the most cost-effective manner by capitalizing on modern technology applications.

This statement was part of his address, delivered on Wednesday (March 8, 2023), in the first discussion panel of the Conference on the Future of Education, Culture and Science Organizations, which is being held by ALECSO and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, with the participation of UNESCO and ICESCO, in Riyadh, under the theme “Together towards change in the 21st Century,” in the presence of Mr. Youssef Bin Abdullah Al Bunyan, Saudi Minister of Education and Vice-Chairman of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and a group of officials and experts from regional and international organizations and bodies concerned.

ICESCO Director-General explained the importance of creativity and innovation in the implementation of projects, activities and initiatives through science and modern technologies, reviewing ICESCO’s experience in organizing training sessions in the field of Arabic for non-Arabic speakers virtually from “Mishkat Hall,” which provides opportunities for the development of the skills of Arabic language teachers around the world, and benefits a large number of participants at the lowest cost.

Dr. AlMalik underlined the importance of complementarity between international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture through joint programs and projects, periodic consultative meetings and coordination in international conferences, seminars and meetings, considering that such vision would provide unlimited opportunities to overcome future challenges facing these organizations to fulfill their lofty mission.

He added that ICESCO is keen to be a forward-looking organization striving to establish a regulatory framework for its Member States, in coordination with the National Commissions, to implement programs and projects that meet with their priorities and aspirations to develop the fields of education, science and culture.

It is noteworthy that the agenda of the two-day Conference features the organization of more than 20 sessions and panel discussions on four main axes exploring the future of these organizations. The conference also discusses cooperation and promotion of partnership opportunities between international organizations, academia, experts, companies and financial institutions.

ICESCO is participating in the conference with a high-level delegation, headed by Dr. Al-Malik, and a number of its officials, who will take part in the Conference sessions to review the development within ICESCO as well as the great cooperation with other regional and international organizations and bodies.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Eng. Omar Najjar, Chief Program Officer at the Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation “Misk Foundation” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held a meeting to discuss ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and the Foundation in developing leadership skills among young people, and implementing joint programs in the fields of education, science and culture.

The meeting was held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Foundation’s headquarters in Riyadh and brought together several of ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments, and Misk Foundation’s officials. During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the Foundation’s pioneering roles in encouraging young people to develop their leadership skills and contributing to building knowledge-based societies, stressing the importance of transferring the experiences and expertise of the Misk Foundation to the countries of the Islamic world.

The Director-General also reaffirmed that the Organization, within the framework of its vision and strategic orientations, attaches special importance to young people, and implements a number of ambitious programs and projects aimed at building their capacities, developing their knowledge, guiding them through the field of entrepreneurship, and training them on leadership for peace and security, in coordination and cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States.

For his part, Eng. Omar Najjar welcomed the visit of the Director-General and his accompanying delegation and commended the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States in its areas of competence, praising the strategic partnership between ICESCO and the Misk Foundation.

Eng. Najjar gave an overview of the key projects, initiatives and strategic programs that the Misk Foundation is implementing, intending to support youth in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, science and modern technologies. He stated that the Foundation strives to provide the necessary resources and a healthy environment to support young talented and creative people and promote fruitful partnerships with local and international organizations.

Afterward, some ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments highlighted the key initiatives, programs and projects currently implemented by the Organization, including those related to building the capacities of youth and women, promoting the use of technology in the educational process, working to reduce the digital and knowledge divide, and encouraging scientific research.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to strengthen cooperation and partnership and sustain coordination to sign an agreement to provide for the joint implementation of specific programs and projects; to be agreed upon soon.

Following the meeting, Eng. Najjar accompanied Dr. Al-Malik and his delegation on a tour of the various departments of the Misk Foundation, where they listened to detailed explanations about the future vision of the Foundation, which draws on the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030. He also talked about the Foundation’s various paths, notably transparent communication, youth support, initiative implementation, perseverance and determination.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre signed a cooperation agreement for implementing the Education Catch-up Program for girls, who have dropped out of school in the Republic of Yemen, by providing educational support and a second educational opportunity for girls, developing their capabilities, and equipping educational institutions to improve academic fulfillment.

The agreement was signed, on Tuesday (March 7, 2023), at the Centre’s headquarters, in Riyadh, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, in the presence of several officials from ICESCO and Centre.

The agreement sets forth the implementation of a number of activities, most notably equipping a group of girls’ schools in specific areas, providing school bags and supplies for girls, developing the capacities of hundreds of workers in the field of girls’ education, providing alternative classrooms for displaced girls, providing professional support for the families of orphaned girls, and conducting awareness campaigns to encourage girls’ education.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Al Rabeeah chaired an expanded meeting in the presence of some leaders of the Organization and the Centre, and a representative of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and the Centre in areas of common interest.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the salient activities and projects implemented by ICESCO in the field of developing educational, social and humanitarian programs in the neediest countries in the Islamic world, stressing the Organization’s willingness to develop cooperation with the Centre, calling on the Centre to rely on its partnership with ICESCO to implement humanitarian projects in Muslim countries.

For his part, Dr. Al Rabeeah gave an overview of the Centre’s objectives and working system with governments, international organizations and civil society institutions, the major sub-offices of the Centre, and its key humanitarian projects in Yemen, Somalia, Palestine and other countries, in addition to its major areas of action such as education, health, child care, and women’s rights.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Dr. Al Rabeeah with an ICESCO shield in appreciation of his continuous efforts in the field of humanitarian action and relief.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.R.H Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and Chairman of Alwaleed Philanthropies, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, to discuss cooperation development between ICESCO and Al-Waleed Philanthropies in several areas.

During the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the headquarters of the Kingdom Holding Company in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in the presence of several ICESCO’s Heads of Sectors and Directors of departments, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s efforts as part of its vision and strategic orientations to contribute to the development of the fields of education, science, culture and health, through the implementation of several programmes and projects for the benefit of its Member States in these fields, noting the Organization’s eagerness to deepen cooperation and strategic partnership with the Foundation during the coming period.

ICESCO DG reiterated his thanks and gratitude to H.R.H Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for Alwaleed Philanthropies’ generous support to implement the joint initiative with ICESCO to assist 10 African countries in addressing the negative repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and to support the private sector and women and youth entrepreneurs in these countries.

For his part, H.R.H Prince Alwaleed bin Talal valued ICESCO’s efforts and roles in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, expressing his desire to deepen the partnership with the Organization.

Several ICESCO’s Heads of Sectors and Directors of departments reviewed the Organization’s key initiatives, programmes and projects in the areas of youth and women’s capacity building and developing their skills, promoting innovation, scientific research and space sciences, supporting and developing the educational process in the Member States, and supporting the management of water resources and health in the countries of the Islamic world.

During the meeting, the two parties agreed to develop partnerships and build constructive cooperation during the coming period, through the implementation of a set of initiatives, programmes and projects in areas of common interest, mainly in the health sector.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented the ICESCO shield to H.R.H Prince Alwaleed bin Talal in honor of his efforts in the field of humanitarian action.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in supporting the project of Arabic education in non-Arabic speaking countries by enhancing the performance of Arabic teachers, increasing investment in educational technologies and stimulating Arabic publications in non-Arab universities.

The MoU was signed on Monday, 6 March 2023, at the Foundation’s headquarters in Riyadh, by Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Director-General (DG) of the Foundation, in the presence of a host of officials from both Organizations.
Dr. AlMalik then expressed his delight at signing the MoU which marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at spreading the Arabic language and promoting its global prominence. Mr. Al-Khulaifi praised the MoU, underscoring the Foundation’s keenness to promote cooperation with ICESCO across all areas of the Organization’s competence.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Alkhulaifi chaired an expanded meeting that brought together several officials from both Organizations to explore ways for promoting cooperation between the two Organizations in areas of common interest.

During the meeting, ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s efforts to further promote the Arabic language at the international level, namely through the establishment of the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, the implementation of the “Mishkat” Programme for Professional Development and Continuous Training, in addition to supporting national projects and international initiatives geared towards teaching and spreading the Arabic language.

For his part, Mr. Al-Khulaifi commended ICESCO’s roles in promoting Arabic globally and reviewed the Foundation’s key activities, programmes and areas of work, noting the key achievements of the Foundation’s Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC).

At the close of the meeting, the two parties exchanged honorary shields in appreciation of the commendable efforts exerted by their respective Organizations to advance their areas of work.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Yousef Bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in supporting open education and contributing to the development of educational systems through modern technologies.

During the meeting, held on Monday (March 6, 2023), at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education, in Riyadh, in the presence of several ICESCO officials, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the mainlines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations in the field of education, and its programs and projects for the benefit of Member States through coordination and cooperation with the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture.

He also underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation between ICESCO and the Saudi Ministry of Education and implementing joint programs, especially in developing educational systems in Muslim countries through modern technology applications, stressing ICESCO’s endeavor to meet the needs of its Member States to contribute to achieving sustainable development in its areas of competence.

For his part, the Saudi Minister of Education welcomed the visit of ICESCO Director-General and his delegation, commending the cooperation between the Organization and the Ministry and the endeavor to develop their partnership.

He also stressed the importance of designing programs and projects to achieve sustainable development goals, ensure quality and excellence in education, use e-learning and open educational resources as well as modern educational technologies, enhance the skills of young teachers and build their leadership capacities, update teaching methods, integrate the culture of peace and civilizational dialogue in educational curricula, and publicize and promote the cultural heritage of Muslim countries.

Mr. Al-Benyan praised the organizational structure and governance of ICESCO, stressing the Ministry’s willingness to support ICESCO’s activities and projects.

During the meeting, ICESCO officials reviewed the major current initiatives, programs and projects of the Organization, including building the capacities of youth, women and vulnerable groups, and encouraging scientific research through the establishment of ICESCO academic chairs in prestigious universities, in addition to ensuring quality education for all.

The two parties agreed to sustain cooperation to implement future programs and projects, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

In conclusion, the ICESCO Director-General and the Saudi Minister of Education exchanged honorary shields.