Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, which opened as part of the Celebration of Rabat as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, is a unique festival of cultural, intellectual and civilizational exchange, which embodies the spirit of renewal and reflects the significance of books in nurturing thought and knowledge.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement in an address he gave during the ceremony that the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication organized on the occasion of the Fair opening, in the presence of the Moroccan Minister of Culture, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid; Mr. Rachid El-Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region, in addition to a large number of authors, officials and members of the diplomatic corps in Rabat.
“We are an Ummah that celebrates reading and writing, an Ummah that has created the largest multidisciplinary library a thousand years ago”, the ICESCO DG stated, noting that this Fair promotes the outreach of Rabat as the Capital of Lights and highlights the strong links of our civilizational legacy to books”.
He added that through its participation in this major international event, ICESCO reaffirms the importance it accords to promoting the values of reading in its activities and programs, in a bid to rekindle ties of the Islamic world to its glorious history which paved the way for such activities.
At the close of his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the Moroccan Minister of Culture, the Fair organizers, publishers, intellects and authors.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Younes Skouri, Minister of Economic Integration, Small Enterprises, Employment and Competencies in the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they discussed cooperation prospects between the Organization and the Ministry in the fields of youth capacity-building, training and empowerment, as well as the promotion of an entrepreneurial culture in technology and innovation.
During the meeting, which was held today, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major thrusts of ICESCO’s new vision and action strategy, which lays particular emphasis on building youth capacity and supporting youth entrepreneurship, mentioning the programme for training youth in creating and developing small-scale projects in the field of technology and innovation, which is implemented by ICESCO in a number of its Member States.
The meeting touched upon cooperation proposals through the joint implementation of initiatives that are geared towards supporting small businesses, training youth as part of ICESCO’s “Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS)” Programme, forging partnerships with institutions concerned with these areas, and jointly organizing relevant conferences and activities.
For his part, Mr. Skouri commended ICESCO’s support for its Member States’ efforts in distinct fields.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on holding other meetings between their respective experts to establish a list of the practical programmes to be jointly implemented under a cooperation agreement.
The meeting was attended by Mrs. Sally Mabrouk, Director of ICESCO DG’s Cabinet, and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco announced that Monday, 25 July 2022, will mark the opening of the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, as part of the Celebration of Rabat as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, may Allah assist him.
The three organizations made this statement in a press conference, held at ICESCO Headquarters, on Wednesday, 1 June 2022. The press conference featured remarks by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG); Sheikh Dr. Muhammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League; and Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, who gave detailed presentations on all aspects about the Exhibition and Museum.
The press conference was opened with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, who welcomed the attendees and highlighted the importance of this major civilizational project and the significance of hosting it at ICESCO in 2022, the year of celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World.
In his address, Dr. AlMalik commended the strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League, and the Mohammadia League of Scholars, which led to the organization of the Exhibition and Museum in its first sojourn outside of Al-Madinah AL-Munawarra, where it was first established under the generous patronage of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah preserve him, and the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may Allah preserve him.
ICESCO DG added that the selection of the Kingdom of Morocco to be the first destination of the Exhibition and Museum outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the special relations between the two countries, seizing the opportunity to express profound thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his royal patronage of this project.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, stated that the institutions that assume the responsibility of the publicizing and raising awareness of the Prophet’s Seerah have to keep up with technological advancements such as virtual reality and metaverse to be able to reach the targeted audience and promote younger generations’ interaction with this subject, especially that younger people spent the longest time following digital contents.
In addition, Dr. Abbadi commended the tremendous efforts that the Muslim World League exerted to create and ensure the continuity of the Exhibition and Museum, and announced the organization of a presentation on monitoring mercy manifestations across the globe as part of the activities of the Exhibition.
In his address, Sheikh Dr. Muhammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, expressed his delight with the preparations to host the Exhibition and Museum, noting that the latter arrives from the holy land of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarrah to its first destination outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Rabat, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022.
Dr. Al-Issa also stated that the Exhibition capitalizes on modern technology to document and highlight the life of our Prophet (PBUH), which is the result of the collective efforts of a team of Seerah scholars. He added that the exhibition relies on an appealing style and approach to bring the Prophet’s Seerah closer to the public, and presents key information, civilizational values, and messages to redress misconceptions through soft power and refute unsupported claims through solid evidence.
Afterward, a video was screened in the sections and collections of the Exhibition and Museum and featured the testimonies of several leaders and senior scholars in the Islamic world. The discussion was then opened where journalists and media outlets addressed their questions to the panel on the Exhibition’s goals and Rabat’s expectations from hosting this project.
The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted an intellectual meeting on the book “Hadi Al-Oshaq,” written by Dr. Al-Tohamy Al-Harraq, to introduce the mystical and artistic experience of his mentor, Sheikh Abdellatif Benmansour, one of the masters of Sufi Samaa and music in the Kingdom of Morocco, with the participation of a host of researchers, writers and music composers.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, falls within the activities of the celebration of Rabat, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, and within the framework of ICESCO’s efforts to introduce and promote the rich intangible heritage of Muslim countries, where the arts of Madih and Samaa are part of this unique authentic heritage.
The meeting began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, then a general presentation by Dr. Saber Moulay Ahmed, Expert at ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, wherein he indicated that the book “Hadi Al-Oshaq” highlights a great figure and mentor in the fields of Madih, Samaa and authentic culture. Afterward, Dr. Al-Tohamy Al-Harraq, writer and researcher in Sufi thought and music, emphasized that his book is an expression of gratitude to his mentor, Sheikh Abdellatif Benmansour, praising his talent and strong memory, his memorization of the Qur’an, and his rare knowledge of its verses, which contributed to his unique achievements in the field of Sufi art and music.
Dr. Al-Harraq added that Benmansour had a unique musical and literary knowledge base, as he composed more than a thousand tunes and presided over several Madih performances.
Dr. Nabil ben Abdeljalil, researcher and music composer, presented scientific and academic insights into the theoretical concepts of the book, which adopted an approach that analyzes the personality of the late Benmansour and explained the concepts related to Sufi music, the method of performance, rhythm, Madih, Samaa and Mizan a’Durj.
Dr. Abdelaziz Baya, researcher in Moroccan literature and Sufism, highlighted that the book “Hadi Al-Oshaq” is an opportunity to introduce and remind the world of the originality of the Moroccan civilization.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), thanked Dr. Al-Harraq and welcomed the participants to discuss an outstanding book in the field of music and art. “We celebrate and review the key ideas and values depicted in the book, particularly loyalty, which is very valuable because it recognizes the fulfilments of Sheikh Benmansour in the arts of Madih and Samaa.
Dr. AlMalik presented a shield to Dr. Al-Harraq in appreciation of his efforts to preserve the heritage of the art of Samaa, while Dr. Al-Harraq presented a collection of his books to ICESCO DG.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy DG of ICESCO, indicated that the Organization holds this meeting as a house of expertise, which strives to protect and document the tangible and intangible cultural heritage, adding that Benmansour had composed over a thousand tunes.
After that, the floor was open for discussion and questions before Dr. Al-Harraq and his group presented a musical interlude from the musical heritage of the late Sheikh Benmansour.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Naam Miyara, Speaker of the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between the two institutions in areas of common interest.
At the beginning of the meeting, held on, Tuesday, May 31, at the headquarters of the House of Councillors in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the sustained support of the Kingdom of Morocco to ICESCO, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI, may Allah preserve him. He added that this meeting is part of ICESCO’s open-door policy.
The DG highlighted ICESCO’s efforts within the realm of its competence and the programs and activities it implements in cooperation with its Member States’ competent authorities, stressing that the Organization is keen to promote cooperation with the Moroccan House of Councillors.
For his part, Mr. Naam Miyara commented on the key role ICESCO plays in promoting cooperation in the Islamic world, stating his keenness to support its initiatives in the fields of education, culture, and heritage preservation.
In addition, the House Speaker reaffirmed that the current strategy aims to render the House of Councillors a platform for public dialogue and plural societal discussion addressing issues that concern citizens, notably education and training.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to set out an institutional mechanism for cooperation between ICESCO and the House in areas of common interest.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, and Ms. Amira Fadel, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation.
A press conference to be held tomorrow to announce opening day of the Exhibition and Museum
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco held a meeting to review the latest arrangements for hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah at ICESCO Headquarters. This major project will be organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, may Allah assist him, as part of the Celebration of Rabat as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022.
The meeting, held yesterday May 30, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters, brought together Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-Genera (DG); Sheikh Dr. Muhammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League; and Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars.
At the beginning of the meeting, the parties expressed their gratefulness to His Majesty, King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his high patronage and support for hosting this major project and facilitating related measures and procedures.
In addition, the officials took stock of the setups and the ongoing preparations to host the Exhibition at ICESCO and agreed on the organizational procedures for hosting this major civilizational project.
The parties agreed to hold a press conference at ICESCO tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, where Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Al-Issa and Dr. Abbadi will address the details of the Exhibition and the Museum and announce its opening day to visitors.
The International Exhibition and Museum of Prophet’s Seerah, which is based in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, receives the special attention and high patronage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allah preserve him, and the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohamed bin Salman, may Allah preserve him. The Exhibition seeks to highlight the message of Islam which promotes justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence and moderation, based on the Holy Quran, the Noble Sunnah and Islamic history. The Exhibition employs advanced technology to give visitors a real-life experience of the Seerah and historical events.
Within the framework of the preliminary phase of the action programme of ICESCO and Hamdan bin Rashid Project “Mishkat” for Arabic language teaching skills for non-Arabic speakers, “Mishkat” Hall at ICESCO Headquarters hosted a workshop on “Basic principles of integrating language skills in teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers”.
The workshop, held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, saw the participation of four groups of educational staff working in the field of teaching Arabic remotely from Chad, Nigeria, Benin and Guinea, as well as a group of young researchers and teachers of Arabic for non-Arabic speakers from Morocco, and Senegal.
In his welcome address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), commended the attention that the participants from various countries accord to the development of their skills and educational performance.
He also stressed ICESCO’s keenness to turn “Mishkat,” which was established this year in cooperation with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation, into an international beacon of training and qualification in teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers and other fields of the Organization’s action considering its huge potential for organizing face-to-face training sessions and workshops for a large number of participants from different countries.
Dr. M’hamed Ismaili Alaoui, international expert, moderated this workshop, which benefited 112 educational staff, including male and female Arabic teachers from ICESCO’s Regional Educational Center in Chad, ICESCO’s Pole of Excellence in Nigeria, Ibn Batouta African Institute in Benin and the Arabic Language Department at the General Lansana Conté University, in Conakry, Guinea, as well as some Moroccan educational institutions.
The workshop aimed at enabling participants to improve their pedagogical skills in teaching Arabic and encourage them to develop their pedagogical performance, adopt modern educational methods in teaching the four language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), and learn the strategies for their integration into the teaching process.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Ibrahim Adam El-Dukhiri, the Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and together they explored prospects of cooperation between the two organizations in areas of common interest.
During the meeting, held on, Thursday, May 26, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the main orientations of ICESCO’s vision and working strategy, which adopts promoting Arab countries’ investment in modern technology and its applications in all walks of life. He noted that the programs and projects that the Organization implements aim to contribute to advancing scientific research and innovation in a variety of fields including agriculture and management of water resources in the Member States.
For his part, Dr. El-Dukhiri highlighted the strategic goals of the AOAD, which aims to achieve Arab agricultural complementarity to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. He reaffirmed that ICESCO’s strategy and AOAD’s goals share mutual trends, which would contribute to building fruitful cooperation.
The meeting discussed several cooperation proposals between the two organizations. These include developing Member States’ faculties of agriculture to keep up with world advancements in the fields of agricultural research and management of water resources; promoting rural tourism; raising the awareness of the new generations of their ancestors’ agricultural culture and the related heritage; and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural development.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold a number of expert meetings to agree on the joint programs and projects to be implemented, and sign an MoU providing for the plans and the timeline of the implementation of these programs.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for increasing investment in health and environment systems, promoting scientific research and innovation, capitalizing on the applications of information technology, and involving communities, especially the youth and women as key stakeholders in the response to health crises.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement in a pre-recorded remark he addressed at the opening of the First African Arab Forum on Innovation and Investment in Health and the Environment, held by Yenda Africa, in partnership with Qadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco, Helite Group, and Ecologie Media Group. The Forum was held on Wednesday, 25 May 2022, at the headquarters of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ayyad University, under the theme, “Environmental and social stakes of health crises: Is health and environmental sovereignty in Africa and the Arab world possible?.” The Forum brought together the Ministers of Health of Mauritania and Benin, a host of senior officials, representatives of international organizations, professors and researchers in the fields of health and environment in Africa and the Arab world.
At the outset of his address, Dr. AlMalik commended the organizers’ choice to discuss the topic of environmental and social sovereignty in Africa and the Arab world in light of the environmental and social stakes of health crises, highlighting the importance of these discussions in promoting health, environment and development systems.
In addition, ICESCO DG stated that despite the challenges facing them, African and Arab countries have innovative experiences that are worthy of promotion and encouragement at the institutional and social levels. He added that the Program to Fight COVID-19 through promoting youth and women’s sense of initiative and innovation, which ICESCO implemented in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies, proved the importance of involving communities in dealing with health crises.
ICESCO DG concluded his address by calling for promoting international cooperation in fostering health and environmental systems through the exchange of expertise and best practices and the joint response to crises, stressing that environmental and health sovereignty in Africa and the Arab world is not a far-fetched goal.
The Forum’s opening session featured the remarks of several officials in the health sectors from the Kingdom of Morocco and several African countries.
The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the 4th International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Development, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
The Conference is organized by the National School of Arts and Professions (ENSAM) at the Mohamed V University in Rabat, in partnership with ICESCO and its Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), and Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tetouan. The event saw high-caliber participation including ministers, ambassadors and a host of academicians and specialists in the fields of modern technology and digital systems.
The opening session kicked off today, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a general overview by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General (DG) for the FUIW, where he noted that this conference is a major international event bringing together more than 350 participants from 20 countries.
In his address, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, stated that Morocco has chosen the digital model and adopted digitization as a pillar of sustainable development. He added that it is important to capitalize on the capacities and talents of young people and hone their digital skills to achieve development and prosperity.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO DG, stressed the need to reconsider curricula in schools and higher education institutions, noting that universities have comprehensive visions that contribute to identifying today’s needs. He added that development has become heavily reliant on the applications of modern virtual technology and digital systems are now a prerequisite for keeping up with future changes.
“ICESCO seeks to promote artificial intelligence and conclude partnerships with the major global space institutions. It accords strong attention in its plans to issues about developing digital education in the Islamic world, encouraging innovation initiatives among young people, linking research scientific studies with contemporary needs, and supporting university institutions to adopt optimal curricula for further innovation,” added ICESCO DG.
In his address, Mr. Younes Sekkouri, Moroccan Minister of Economic Integration, Small Enterprises, Employment and Competencies, stressed the need to develop policies and programmes likely to strengthen intelligent systems, bridge the gap between researchers and develop the investment market.
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Rhachi, President of Mohammed V University in Rabat, highlighted the close relationship between economic development and social development. “Morocco strives to promote scientific and technological research in the private sector and universities,” added Dr. Rhachi.
Dr. Khalid El-Bikri, Director of the National Higher School of Arts and Professions in Rabat, reviewed the school’s efforts in training generations of engineers and researchers through its various programmes that attach special importance to modern technology. Dr. Mostafa Ezziyyani, Professor at Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Chairman of the Conference, pointed out the conference’s role in developing innovative ideas by finding academic solutions to various economic problems.
After the opening session, Dr. Ibrahim Adam Ahmed El-Dukheri, Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development; Mr. Karim Amor, President of Moroccan Entrepreneurs worldwide at CGEM, which is dedicated to Moroccan entrepreneurs and High Potentials of the World; and Mr. Hicham El-Abbadi, Business Sales Manager Afrique Francophone at Epson, as well as the guests of honor stressed the importance and role of technology in achieving sustainable development and facing challenges.
Afterward, the Conference presented appreciation awards for international excellence in scientific research to ICESCO DG, the President of Mohammed V University and the President of Abdelmalek Essaadi. Awards were also granted to the winners at the innovation competition. Besides, the participating universities signed several agreements in the field of scientific research and innovation before the beginning of the working sessions of the conference.
