Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received Ms. Mawddah Omar Haj Al-Toum, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to the Kingdom of Morocco, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and the Sudan in the fields of education, science and culture.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday (August 22, 2022) at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Ms. Mawddah Al-Toum on her new position as the Sudan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, wishing her every success.

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, which hinge upon openness to and communication with the Member States and the implementation of programmes and initiatives that meet their needs in the fields of education, science and culture, noting that ICESCO attaches great importance to the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, building the capacities of women and youth, encouraging investment in space science and scientific research, and supporting Member States’ efforts to benefit from modern technologies and artificial intelligence applications to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting also tackled the aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Sudan in enhancing the status of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers by writing the local African languages in the Arabic script to preserve them from extinction, and the importance of inscribing the Sudanese cultural elements and heritage sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

For her part, the Sudanese Ambassador commended ICESCO’s support for the Member States in its areas of action, stressing the Sudan’s keenness to continue constructive cooperation with ICESCO.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, and Mr. Omar Hamid, Expert at the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulated Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed on his appointment as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, by Mr. Shahbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, wishing him every success in his new responsibilities. ICESCO DG also commended his efforts during his tenure at ICESCO, where he assumed many roles, the most recent of which was Supervisor of the Secretariat of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, conveyed the congratulatory message to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed when received at the headquarters of the Higher Education Commission in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
For his part, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed expressed his thanks and appreciation for Dr. AlMalik’s congratulations, recalling his distinguished experience at ICESCO, and stressing his full support for the Organization’s new strategic vision and its pioneering programs in the fields of science and entrepreneurship, which aim to contribute to economic growth and technological development in the Organization’s Member States.

The two parties emphasized the need to enhance cooperation, mobilize capacities and resources to provide scholarships and develop student and faculty exchange programmes in the Member States to enhance the sharing of expertise and knowledge in the Islamic world.

Selection of 50 Participants from 45 Countries in ICESCO LTIPS 2022

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on young people to be peacebuilders in a world dominated by several challenges and crises and to continue to work hard and to believe in their unlimited competencies and energies. He called for the need to achieve more communication between generations to exchange experiences and knowledge to benefit from the lessons of the past in building a prosperous future of solidarity between generations without any discrimination.

In a recorded address, on the occasion of International Youth Day, which the world celebrates on August, 12 annually, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the celebration this year, under the theme: “Solidarity between generations: Creating a world for all ages,” is in line with ICESCO’s priorities, namely its efforts as part of its strategy based on enhancing youth capacity building, training them in leadership and entrepreneurship, contributing to the consolidation of the values ​​of coexistence and civilizational dialogue and building bridges of solidarity.

ICESCO DG officially announced the selection of 50 male and female candidates representing 45 countries to participate in the Organization’s new edition of the Programme of the Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) 2022, to become ICESCO Ambassadors for Peace, after receiving several training sessions by inspirational leaders in the field and graduating from the Programme.

He pointed out that, believing in the vital role that youth play in the progress of societies, ICESCO launched several other programmes and initiatives to qualify and train the youth of the Islamic world and improve their skills, so that they can bring about the desired positive change in the fields of entrepreneurship, technology, artificial intelligence and space sciences, and ready for the professions of tomorrow.

ICESCO DG concluded his address by renewing the call for more constructive communication between generations to build a prosperous future based on benefiting from different generations and learning from the lessons of the past.

Launching Annual Award for Best Initiatives for “Birds of Peace”

As part of the celebration programme of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2022, the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the closing ceremony of the 14th edition of the International Children for Peace Festival, organized by the Bouregreg Association in the Kingdom of Morocco, with the participation of over 400 children from 31 countries to anchor the culture of peace and coexistence among the children of the world.

At the outset of the ceremony, which coincided with the beginning of the new Hijri year, and came within the framework of ICESCO’s objective to foster peace through practical programmes and activities that place it among the leading international organizations in the field, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an address in which he stressed the importance of peace, which is essential in achieving development. ”I am proud of all the children participating in the Festival as ambassadors of peace, who draw a new splendid picture of the world and convey messages that say “No to wars, no to attacks, no to injustice and no to hatred” These “Birds of Peace” spread beauty, joy, happiness, love and hope all over the world,” noted ICESCO DG.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s belief in the instrumental role of children in preserving lofty values , protecting the environment from pollution, and promoting tolerance and coexistence to make the world a better place.

ICESCO DG also announced that as part of ICESCO’s endeavor to encourage children to become messengers of peace and ambassadors of love, the Organization will establish an annual award for best children initiatives called “Birds of Peace,” and organize an annual ceremony to showcase their outstanding creativity.

For his part, Mr. Mustapha Taimi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, commended ICESCO’s work and the distinguished activities, it implemented as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2022, hailing the Organization’s efforts to foster a culture of peace.

Afterward, Hamd and Nora, two of the participating children, read out “The Call for Peace” which calls for spreading the spirit of tolerance and coexistence across the globe and urges adults to work and prevail in the battle for peace so all the world’s children can live and grow in peace.

The children then released white peace doves, before the artistic ceremony that featured the children’s performances from their countries’ artistic and musical heritage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Speciose Hakizimana, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored avenues for closer cooperation between the two Organizations in areas of common interest.

During the meeting, which was held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and projects currently implemented by ICESCO, in light of its vision and strategic orientations, and cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States, to ensure inclusive access to quality education for all, reducing school dropout rates, anchoring the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, and encouraging investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting touched upon the new developments in the existing cooperation between ICESCO and UNICEF and discussed a set of potential joint initiatives in the fields of childhood support and education, training, and empowerment for girls and youth.

For her part, Dr. Hakizimana commended ICESCO’s role in assisting the efforts of Member States in its areas of competence, emphasizing UNICEF’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in implementing childhood support programmes.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on holding technical meetings between experts from both Organizations to follow up on the implementation plans of the discussed joint programs.

The meeting saw the attendance of Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector, and Ms. Amira EL Fadil, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

In a bid to promote the spirit of world peace and the values of cultural diversity, tolerance and human coexistence, the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted a ceremony, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, to celebrate more than 400 children from 31 countries who are taking part in the 14th edition of the International Children for Peace Festival. The festival is organized by Bouregreg Association in Salé, on 24-31 July with the aim of anchoring the culture of peace and coexistence among the children of the world.

At the outset, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General gave an address where he expressed his delight at receiving these children who are proudly wearing their traditional clothes that reflect their countries’ cultural and civilizational diversity, adding that the festival highlights the importance of coexistence regardless of religious beliefs or racial and cultural differences.

In addition, the Director-General reaffirmed the special significance of the festival’s 14th edition, which is held under the honorary presidency of H.R.H. Princess Lalla Meryem, and as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022 and Capital of African Culture, in the Kingdom of Morocco, land of cultures, civilizations and peace.

Moreover, the Director-General commended the contributions of the participating children to highlight their countries’ cultures and art and allow them to share traditions and values to build communication bridges and avoid misunderstanding. Dr. AlMalik also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Noureddine Chmaou, President of Bouregreg Association, and Mr. Abderrahmane Rouijel, Director of the Children for Peace Festival, Director of the Festival of Children for Peace, for their efforts to ensure the success of the event.

Afterward, a boy and girl both read out “The Call for Peace” which calls for spreading the spirit of tolerance and coexistence across the globe and urges adults to work and prevail in the battle for peace so the world’s children can live and grow in peace. The reception also saw the release of several white doves to symbolize peace.

At the close of the ceremony, the Director-General exchanged presents with heads of delegations and with the Festival Director, who all expressed their thanks to the Organization for organizing this ceremony.

Dr. Salim M Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Leonardo Garnier, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General for the Transforming Education Summit, held a meeting to discuss arrangements for ICESCO’s participation in this international summit, due to be held next September in New York, during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In his speech at the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, 26 July 2022, via videoconference, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed that ICESCO attaches great importance to the Transforming Education Summit, and has an enormous interest in its success and achievement of the desired goals by enhancing the participation of its Member States in this distinguished event.
Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s outstanding programs and projects aimed to support the educational process in its Member States, guarantee the right to education and address girls’ dropouts, praising the multiple partnerships that bind the Organization to several institutions and organizations specialized in the field of education. He also pointed out that ICESCO will hold a parallel event to the Transforming Education Summit to discuss the challenges facing girls’ education, and invited Mr. Garnier to take part in it as a key speaker.

For his part, Mr. Leonardo Garnier commended ICESCO’s commitment to effective participation in the Summit, and urged the representatives of its Member States to attend, praising the parallel event that ICESCO will organize, which enhances the goals of the Transforming Education Summit in making a global impact and sustaining efforts to achieve the 4th SDG.

In her intervention at the meeting, Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, stated that the Organization prioritizes education, especially the education of girls and women, through its cooperation with its Member States’ National Commissions in implementing joint educational programs and projects. In her turn, Mrs. Amira El-Fadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, praised the Organization’s partnerships in the field of education, which aim to promote education and comprehensive and sustainable development.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Omar Halli, Adviser to ICESCO Director General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, and Ms. Rime Jirari, Head of Organizations and Bodies Department at ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters, ministers of youth and sports, representatives of several African countries and leaders of the African Youth Union (AYU), who are participating in the first edition of the Annual Consultative Dialogue for African Youth Leaders held in Rabat, where they explored ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and their countries in qualifying youth and building their capacities.

After welcoming ICESCO’s guests, Dr. AlMalik stated that as part of its vision and strategic orientation, the Organization accords special attention to youth through implementing several ambitious programs and projects aimed at building youth capacities, supporting them in the field of entrepreneurship and leadership training in peace and security, in coordination and cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States.

ICESCO’s DG pointed out the Organization’s openness to implement practical programs and projects for the benefit of its Member States and Muslim communities around the world and contribute to building prosperous societies, saying that the Organization’s charter allows non-Member States to join ICESCO as Observer States and that the Organization’s General Directorate welcomes any suggestions or ideas enriching its action.

He noted that ICESCO prioritizes the strengthening of the values ​​of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue, encourages its Member States to invest in space sciences and artificial intelligence to contribute to the development of all fields and valorizes heritage in the countries of the Islamic world, by inscribing heritage sites and elements on ICESCO’s Lists of Tangible and Intangible Heritage.

During the meeting, that brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy DG, and several Heads of Sectors and Advisors in the Organization, ICESCO’s guests commended the Organization’s roles in serving its Member States and its openness to cooperation with non-Member States.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Fathallah Al-Zani, Minister of Youth and Sports of the State of Libya, Mr. Mohamed Bangura, Minister of Youth of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Tumiso Rakgare, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of the Republic of Botswana, Ms. Juliana Ratovoson, former Minister of Youth of Madagascar, the Kenyan Deputy Minister of Finance, a representative of the Ministry of Youth in Central Africa, the President of the National Youth Commission of Ghana, AYU’s President from Burkina Faso and a member of the Union’s Executive Council from Cameroon.

Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), said that the increased spread of hate speech and extremist ideas worldwide, which incite violence particularly directed against women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities and migrants, requires intensified action to consolidate the values of coexistence and peace, and strengthen partnerships and sincere, pragmatic and equitable humanitarian efforts likely to confront violence and extremism trends, and achieve sustainable development.

This was part of his speech today, Wednesday (20 July 2022) at the opening session of the high-level International Forum held in Fez by the Ministerial Delegation in Charge of Human Rights in the Kingdom of Morocco, in cooperation with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations Office for the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect. The Forum, which continues for two days, marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes, known as the Fez Plan of Action.

ICESCO Director-General praised the importance of the Fez Action Plan, which is characterized by its seriousness and uniqueness since its launch to confront incitement that leads to humanity-threatening crimes, pointing out the importance of the Fez Forum, which witnessed the participation of outstanding officials, heads of international organizations, religious and intellectual leaderships worldwide, to renew the spirit of research and investigation and to explore pathways likely ensure the consolidation of values of coexistence as the ultimate goal of laws and religions, and the aspiration of civilizations.

On this occasion, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, for his patronage and encouragement of the Fez Action Plan and its outputs, commending the adoption of the Plan given the position of religious leaders and their ability to contribute to raising societal awareness.

He then reviewed the most prominent initiatives and programs ICESCO launched and implemented to contribute to building societies capable of combining stability and transformation through confronting extremist trends and blind criminal incitement on the one hand and developing the human rights system on the other, including the organization of the Collective Intelligence Conference in Combating Violent Extremism in cooperation with the Moroccan Observatory on Violent Extremism in the Kingdom of Morocco. Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to joint cooperation and coordination with various regional and international specialized bodies in combating extremist ideology to set up an advanced model of cooperation based on social intelligence.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Sheikh Dr. Ammar bin Nasser Al Mualla, Attaché of Education and Technology Sciences at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, non-resident Attaché to Rabat, Tunisia and Amman, and together they discussed means to enhance cooperation between the Organization and Emirati educational institutions in the field of scientific research.

During the meeting, which was held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and projects implemented by the Organization in light of its vision and strategic orientations to serve its Member States and Muslim communities around the world in its areas of competence.

ICESCO DG hailed the close cooperation between the Organization and the UAE through the competent Emirati authorities, emphasizing ICESCO’s keenness to sustain this distinguished partnership.

The meeting touched upon means to strengthen cooperation between Emirati educational institutions, ICESCO and its Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW). The two parties agreed on holding scientific meetings and training programmes in the field of applied scientific research, particularly in science and technology, for the benefit of students and researchers in the Islamic world.

For his part, Shiekh Dr. Ammar Al Mualla commended ICESCO’s efforts in supporting its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took Dr. Al Mualla and his accompanying delegation on a tour of the youth training incubators and the Mishkat Hall, which is equipped with the latest technology and was established by ICESCO in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance. The two parties agreed on using this technology to organize training sessions and seminars for a vast number of participants.

The meeting saw the attendance of Mr. Thani Salem Al Rumaithi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Rabat, Ms. Iman Al Hosani, Technical Attaché at the Emirati Education and Technology Sciences Attaché Office in Cairo, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO DG for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Supervisor of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.