Category: Director General

The participants in the roundtable on “Foresight Attitude in the Philosophical Spirit of Ibn Khaldun,” agreed unanimously that the ideas and books of Ibn Khaldoun will remain valuable references adapted to all eras and places while calling for the resources’ profound examination to understand and analyze the present and anticipate the future. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held yesterday the roundtable in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Morocco, at ICESCO’s headquarters.

The Organizers held the event both face-to-face and remotely. The roundtable hosted high-level participants including ambassadors, experts, researchers, and academics from several countries.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an opening address wherein he revealed that the Organization would carry out a study on the foresight thought of Ibn Khaldun and his biography. The study will touch on the main phases of the renowned scholar’s life, his intellectual journey, and enduring achievements and works, the DG continued.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that roundtables, such as ICESCO’s, seek to highlight the major role of intellectuals and scholars who left visible imprints in the history of the Islamic world and humanity at large. The emphasis, Dr. AlMalik went on, should be done through the recognition of the scholars’ efforts, examining their ideas, and learning from their intellectual achievement heritage.

Mr. Steffen Krüger, Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Morocco, pointed out that the Berlin-based foundation, with offices in more than 100 countries, conducts studies in languages. The foundation’s interests include foresight, sciences, innovation, security, and the thoughts of outstanding thinkers similar to Ibn Khaldun.

Dr. Kaïs Hammami, Director of ICESCO Strategic Foresight Center, underscored the importance of the roundtable, listed its objectives and topics. He also stated that COVID-19 uncovered the important role of foresight today as it is key to implementing the desired change.

Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Director of Culture and Communication Sector of ICESCO, moderated the first working session “History perception in Ibn Khaldun’s writings.” Dr. Sohail Inayatullah, Visiting Lecturer at Futures Studies Institute at Tamkang University in Taiwan, stated that Ibn Khaldun was the first to use the term “future.” The Russian Orientalist Dr. Anna Belikova then explored the evolutionary context of Ibn Khaldun’s critical thought. Dr. Hassan Haj Ali Al Azrak, Professor of Political Science at the University of Khartoum, said that Ibn Khaldun’s analysis of clannism contributes largely to the studies of civilizational analysis studies that emerged over the last two decades.

At the same session, Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarar, Executive Director of the Center for Cultural and Development, Islamabad, provided a critical view of Ibn Khaldun’s approach to the exegesis of the Holy Quran. Dr. Heba Raouf Mohamed Ezzat, Researcher and university professor at Ibn Haldun University in Turkey, then pointed out that the works of Ibn Khaldun remain of utmost importance, namely his sociobiological approach to understanding life in general.

Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of Partnership and International Cooperation Sector of ICESCO, moderated the second session “Empires and states theory of power.” Mr. Victor V. Motti, Director of World Futures Studies Federation, gave a short biography of Ibn Khaldun. Dr. Mohammed Ait Hammou, Researcher and university professor of Islamic Philosophy and Modern Arabic Thoughts at the Dhar El Mahraz University of Fes, made a comparative presentation between the realistic and conceptual history of Ibn Khaldun. Dr. Faouzi Boukhriss, Researcher and university professor of sociology at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, talked about foresight in Ibn Khaldun’s thought through the education philosophy. Dr. Mohamed Cherif Ferjani, Tunisian France-based political scientist, Islamologist, and researcher, positioned Ibn Khaldun’s theories among anterior theories.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General (DG), moderated the third session. The third session titled “Ibn Khaldun’s foresight thinking under the framework of modern Islamic thoughts,” discussed foresight thought in Ibn Khaldun’s philosophy.

Dr. Abdessamad Ghazi, Director of the Center for Monitoring and Foresight Studies at the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas, said that Ibn Khaldun was more than a history commentator and that his books give an in-depth analysis on the course of history.

Dr. Hanane Hamoda, University Professor of sociology and anthropology at Mohammed V University in Rabat, presented Ibn Khaldun’s thought model. Dr. Mohamed Messouadi, University Professor of Philosophy at Mohammed V University in Rabat and Researcher in political philosophy, stressed that Ibn Khaldun had predicted the reality of our era. Dr. Allen Fromherz, Professor of History and director of the Middle East Studies Center at Georgia State University, provided a theoretical approach to Ibn Khaldun through his biography. Dr. Faouzi Skali, a Doctor in anthropology, ethnology, and religious sciences, founder of the Festival of Sufi Culture of Fes, touched on the Sufi thought in Ibn Khaldun’s philosophy.

At the close of the roundtable, Dr. Kaïs Hammami thanked the participants, ICESCO’s guests and team.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received yesterday at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Ms. Mabel Gomez Oliver, Ambassador of Mexico to Morocco. The meeting touched upon the cooperation prospects between ICESCO and Mexico in the fields of education, science, and culture. Several Directors of ICESCO’s sectors joined the meeting.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik reaffirmed that ICESCO’s vision and action strategy adopts an open-door policy towards all countries, including non-Member States. The goal is to cooperate and hold partnerships for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim communities around the world.  He also pointed out that ICESCO’s non-Member States may enjoy observer status while calling upon Mexico to join the Organization as an observer.

ICESCO DG reviewed the salient initiatives, projects, and programs that the Organization launched and implemented to support Member States in countering the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fields of education, science, and culture.

“These initiatives include “ICESCO Digital Home,” “The Societies We Want,” and “Global Humanitarian Coalition,” which aim at helping the neediest countries, particularly in Africa. Several countries, international organizations, and donor institutions have joined this coalition. Mexico and its major institutions are welcome to join this coalition,” he added.

The meeting explored the proposed areas of cooperation between ICESCO and the educational, scientific, and cultural authorities in Mexico to share expertise with the competent authorities as well as universities and research centers in the ICESCO Member States,

The Ambassador of Mexico thanked ICESCO for the meeting and commended the Organization’s outstanding work during the COVID-19 pandemic while stressing that Mexico will exert every effort to ensure cooperation with ICESCO in its areas of competence.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, called for recognizing the major efforts of H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince of the Makkah Al-Mukkaramah Region, in promoting the Arabic language and spreading the Arab-Islamic culture. The DG stated that Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s works need to be academically documented and publicized, adding that extensive studies need to be conducted on the Prince’s intellectual, literary, and artistic materials.

Dr. AlMalik called for drawing inspiration from the factors of success and excellence in Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s intellectual and cultural endeavors to anchor an authentic identity that is founded on the Arabic language and the Arab-Islamic culture, and openness to other languages and cultures. He added that the balance between authenticity and openness in the Arab Islamic culture is the essence of the vision upon which the Prince’s intellectual, literary, and civilizational project is based. 

The DG made the statement during his participation in a videoconference on Tuesday, December 22. The King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia held the seminar, in cooperation with ICESCO and the Cultural Attaché Office at the Embassy of the Kingdom in Rabat. The seminar was held under the theme, “Efforts of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal in service of promoting the Arabic language and spreading the Arab culture.”

ICESCO DG moderated both academic sessions of the seminar. The event saw high-level participation including prominent religious and academic figures, and Saudi university presidents and faculty deans. His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Abdurahman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, General President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques; delivered his address during the first session along with Dr. Abdullah bin Salim Al-Mutani, Former Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council; and Dr. Mansoor bin Mohammad Al-Harthey, Director of the Academy of Arabic Poetry.

The speakers during the first session attested to the key features that characterize the Prince’s journey as a human, an intellectual, and an artist and his roles in defending Arabic and ensuring the language receive the due attention in our societies.

The second session saw addresses that Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, Former Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz International Center for Arabic Language (KAICAl); delivered along with Abdullah Owaiqil Al-Sulami, President of the Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club; and Prof. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabil, Secretary-General of King Faisal Award. The speakers highlighted the factors and reasons leading to elements of intellectual and literary excellence in Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s character.

At the close of the seminar, ICESCO DG pushes for the recognition, appreciation, and tribute from the Arabic language institutions, setting forth a suggestion to the General Secretariat of the King Faisal Award to present the Prince with the prominent international award. The step is in recognition for his leading efforts in service of the Arabic language and thought. Dr. AlMalik also commended the participants’ proposals to further publicize the prince’s efforts in the service of Arabic and expressed the Organization’s readiness to cooperate with King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia.

The celebration of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its proceedings, following deliberations and presentations on the future of the Arabic language. High-profile participation marked the celebration, which lasted for more than four hours.

H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud honored the celebration with his attendance and delivered the opening address. H.E. Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius; Mr. Aboubakar Siddick Choroma, Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion of Chad; and Dr. Ali Mohamed Shumo, Former Minister of Culture and Information of Sudan, also took part in the opening ceremony.

ICESCO held the major celebration in observance of the World Arabic Language Day, yesterday, December 21, via videoconferencing. The Organization cooperated with King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, the Cultural Attaché Office at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Rabat, the Regional UNESCO Office in Rabat, and Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco.

H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud gave the opening address, as the Conference’s most revered guest. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG) then moderated the opening session, during which he read a poem he authored, titled “The Richness of Arabic.” The opening session also featured the addresses of H.E. Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who highlighted the great value of the Arabic Language within and beyond its social circles, calling for rethinking our approach to languages in general, as many are on the verge of extinction and taking away cultural treasures with them.

Mr. Aboubakar Siddick Choroma, Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion of Chad called for using the modern digital revolution in the field of Arabic teaching. Ms. Angela Melo then gave the address on behalf of the UNESCO DG, who underscored that protecting languages is a shared responsibility. Dr. Ali Mohamed Shumo stated that millions of Muslims speak Arabic, given that it is the language of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.

The conference, held under the theme “Arabic Language: Foresight in a Changing World,” featured five working sessions. Dr. Abdulah Al-Ubaid, Honorary President of  ICESCO Center of Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers, moderated the first session on the future roles of academic institutions in promoting Arabic.

Dr. Yussra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi, Cultural Attaché of Saudi Arabia in Rabat, moderated the second session on the future of the Arabic language in educational systems. Dr. Abdulilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO DG, moderated the third session that focused on the opportunities of the Arabic language in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. Mr. Adil Bouraoui, Advisor to ICESCO DG for Arabic Language Centers Abroad and Academic Chairs, moderated the fourth session, which discussed the topic of digital applications in aid of the Arabic language. Dr. Majdi bin Hajji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO Center of Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers, chaired the fifth session, which focused on the topic of “Arabic language academies: an absolute necessity.”

At the close of the ceremony, ICESCO DG expressed his thanks and appreciation to the guests of honor, all participants, and cooperating institutions for accepting ICESCO’s invitation, reaffirming that the Organization undertakes to give all proposals, recommendations, and visions set forth during the Conference the due attention they deserve.

At the International Conference that the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held in celebration of the World Arabic Language Day, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), surprised the participants with his poem “Richness of Arabic” as a token of his love for Arabic language.

 Dr. AlMalik stated, “my address today will neither be similar to the usual opening addresses, nor remind us of the centuries-old glories and the unique genius of the Arabic language as many books, research, and literary works on Arabic language will give enough evidence thereon.”

“I do not want my address to be a review of ICESCO’s achievements or anticipation of our future projects. The information is already available on our websites. In this address, I would like to express my great and undying love for the Arabic language,” he continued.

Dr. AlMalik added: “As I see poetry as the most adequate, valuable, and expressive genre, I composed a poem on this occasion, entitled ‘Richness of Arabic.’ In the poem, the DG shows the richness of the Arabic language, particularly its vocabulary, rhetoric, and aesthetics as well as the capacity of its syntax and lexicon to adapt to scientific and technological developments. 

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region, said that he devoted his life to serving the language of the Quran. He also reaffirmed that the Arabic language is the highest form of expression and the manifestation of human identity.

The statement was part of Prince Khalid al-Faisal’s address at the opening session of the international conference that the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held yesterday, in celebration of the World Arabic Language Day.

His Royal Highness also said that “Allah Almighty and then the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques have given me the honor of serving the sacred Mosque. Thus, I have devoted my life to serving the language of the Quran and Muslims at this time and place. Arabic is the highest form of expression and human identity. Today, ICESCO honors me through the invitation to this conference. I am extremely grateful to ICESCO and all its staff members.”

His Royal Highness beseeched Allah Almighty to make him “among those who remember and praise Allah, learn the lessons of life, and make their speech concise and beneficial.”

At the opening of the celebration under the theme: “Arabic language: Foresight in a changing world,” Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to H.R.H. Prince Khalid al-Faisal for his outstanding participation in the videoconference.

“His Highness accomplished many achievements in serving the Arabic language and Arab thought. His intellectual works, poetry collections, and artistic works mainly focus on serving Arabic, promoting its position, and stimulating creativity in Arab thought,” he underscored.

Dr. AlMalik also reaffirmed that “His Royal Highness is a pioneer of cultural, tourism, sports, and literary action in Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic worlds. He is also the founder of many forums, awards, and cultural and literary journals.”

The cornerstone of the “Intangible Heritage Museum” was laid today, in the building of Bank Al Maghrib, Central Bank of Morocco, at Jemaa El Fna Square in Marrakesh in cooperation with the National Museum Foundation in Morocco and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The effort is in line with the implementation of a partnership agreement that was signed last October between the two organizations, in cooperation with other partners.

The artist Mehdi Qotbi, President of National Museum Foundation, and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), oversaw the ceremony with the attendance of several officials from the Organization and the Foundation and senior officials from Marrakesh.

Dr. Abdelaziz El Idrissi, Director of the Rabat-based Mohammed VI Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art, gave a detailed presentation on the project. He pointed out that the Museum will host part of the collective memory of Jemaa El Fna Square. It will be open to the public with particular attention to the history of the building complimenting the surrounding area of the square.

For their part, the architects overseeing the project emphasized that the establishment will be equipped with cutting-edge display technology and will be open to children, from all age categories, to preserve and sustain the collective memory.

Aiming to publicize the Islamic world’s heritage and art and promote the true image of Islamic civilization and culture through art, the partnership agreement signed between ICESCO and the National Museum Foundation comprises a set of major programs and projects to be co-implemented by the parties.

The projects and programs include the Intangible Heritage Museum, exhibitions of collections of pottery, and traditional costumes inspired from the works of late world artist Eugene Delacroix. The Mohammed VI Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art will host from April 7, through July 24, 2021, at ICESCO’s Headquarters, the international exhibition on “Eugene Delacroix: Memories of his Moroccan Travel,” along with training sessions for the staff of museums in the Islamic world.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, stated that commemorating Muslim scholars in various sciences and arts under ICESCO’s civilizational program for Islamic world culture capitals represents an opportunity to revive the Islamic heritage in its various aspects and publish the manuscripts stored on the shelves of libraries. The aim, Dr. AlMalik underscored, is to link the generations together and build a common ground for anticipating the future, one of the endeavors of the Organization.

The statement came in the DG’s address at the virtual international conference that the Imam Al-Maturidi International Center for Scientific Research held today, at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, in Uzbekistan, on the future plans of the Center. The event was part of the activities of the celebration of Bukhara as the Islamic World Culture Capital for 2020 for the Asian region. The Conference witnessed the participation of high-level officials and religious leaders from Uzbekistan and the Islamic world.

Dr. Al-Malik noted that Imam Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi, popularly known as “Imam of Huda,” “Imam of the Speakers,” “Leader of the Sunnis,” and “the Eremite Imam” occupied a great place in the history of Islamic thoughts. Al-Maturidi is the founder of a Sunni school that emerged in the fourth century A.H. in the Transoxiana region and spread to the rest of the Islamic world. ICESCO DG pointed out that the most prominent characteristic of the views of Imam Al-Maturidi is that he vilified tradition and advocated the use of logic and reasoning.

At the close of his address, ICESCO DG reaffirmed the Organization’s willingness to cooperate with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and Imam Al-Maturidi International Center for Scientific Research in areas of common interest. The DG focused on “ICESCO’s Roads for the Future” Project through the establishment of academic chairs in the fields of heritage, arts and literature, coexistence, and civilizational dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited Dar El Bacha Museum, located in the old town of Marrakech, upon the special invitation of Mr. Mehdi Qotbi, President of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco. The visit followed laying the foundation stone of the Intangible Heritage Museum in Jamaa el-Fna Square, as part of the Partnership Agreement between ICESCO and the National Foundation of Museums.

Dr. Abdelaziz El Idrissi, Director of Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat, and Ms. Salima Ait Mubarak, Curator of Dar El Bacha Museum, elucidate on the history of the museum stating that Dar El Bacha is one of the treasures of the Moroccan architecture in Marrakech. Built in 1910, Dar El Bacha palace was the residence of Thami Glaoui, who became the Pasha of Marrakesh, in 1912, upon the decision of Sultan Moulay Yusuf. After its restoration, the palace has become a museum that King Mohammed VI of Morocco inaugurated on July 9, 2017.

Dr. El Idrissi and Ms. Ait Mubarak explained that the renovation preserved and restored the palace’s interior design, including the engraved and painted wooden doors, black and white marble floors, colorful mosaic ceilings, and polished columns. They also pointed out that many international celebrities visited the museum, including the French composer, Joseph Maurice Ravel; the famous comedian, Charlie Chaplin; the American artist, Josephine Baker; and the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the two-day forum on scientific paper and patent writing, in partnership with the International University of Rabat (UIR), COMSATS University Islamabad – Pakistan (CUI), the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) in Morocco, and Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam.

The event brought together the Federal Minister for Science and Technology of Pakistan as well as several academicians, researchers, and students from all over the world. The forum kicked off yesterday at ICESCO headquarters with large participation as well on the Zoom platform.

During the opening session, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, thanked all partners and participants for holding the important forum, to help academicians and researchers improve their performance and hone their skills in writing scientific papers and patents.

“It also aims at fostering innovation and creativity in the Member States. This large participation from all over the world is a major success despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific paper and patent writing is an art that should be mastered,” he underscored.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), revealed the Organization’s strategy to overcome the challenges and problems facing most universities and scientific research centers in Member States.

“This strategy is based on four axes: supporting innovative research through the provision of 300 scholarships, launching ICESCO Innovation Award, developing a new comprehensive program for environmental innovation and green technology transfer, in cooperation with many partners, and launching a program for establishing and networking incubators and technological pools in ICESCO’s Member States,” he underlined.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO looks forward to further cooperation with international partners, research centers, and universities inside and outside the Islamic world to achieve its strategic objectives. The goals include supporting scientific research and innovation in the Islamic world by sharing the best practices among the Member States to develop a mechanism for regional assistance and complementarity in capacity-building.

Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistani Federal Minister for Science and Technology, highlighted the need for developing the infrastructures to achieve a comprehensive and integrated education, and contribute to the promotion of scientific research. He also shared Pakistan’s experience in establishing scientific schools and specialized colleges in different branches of technology.

Dr. Matthias Beller, Vice President of Leibniz Institute, stressed the need for the development of science to improve societies because the current technology will not solve future problems. He also made a presentation on scientific paper outline, stating that the writer should specify the goal behind publishing prior to writing a scientific paper without using materials from previous publications while citing the bibliography.

Dr. Mohamed Boulmalf, Dean of the School of Computer Science and Digital Engineering at UIR, highlighted the importance and the main elements of a scientific paper’s outline. He also underscored the role of graphics in enriching the scientific paper while highlighting their types and forms.

Dr. Kacem Rharrabe, Professor at Abdelmalek Essadi University in Morocco, tackled the elements of good scientific paper writing.

Dr. Hans de Vries, Head of the Department of Catalysis with Renewable Resources at Leibniz Institute, reviewed the major steps in scientific paper writing starting from editing until publication.

The first day witnessed rich sessions on the best methods of scientific paper and patent writing.