Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Mazen Sanger, Chief Strategy Officer at Nabd platform to explore partnership and cooperation between ICESCO and Nabd, in the field of capacity-building and training of journalists and media professionals on how to utilize the potentials of Modern technology in new media and digital media.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s eagerness to cooperate with Nabd Platform, within the framework of ICESCO’s new vision and action strategy, based upon openness to all to serve the Member States and Muslim communities around the world. He also commended the existing partnership between the Organization and the Platform since the signing of the agreement in July 2020.

The meeting touched upon proposals for cooperation between ICESCO and Nabd, especially in the fields of new media, anticipating the future of media and training and qualifying journalists and media professionals to keep pace with media development, mainly in the fields of modern technology and artificial intelligence.

For his part, Mr. Mazen Sanger confirmed Nabd’s pride in cooperating with ICESCO, which plays remarkable roles in the fields of education, science and culture to serve the humanitarian community.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to launch a new partnership starting point between ICESCO and Nabd and to hold several meetings to agree on a package of practical programs and activities and to implement them jointly in the future.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Mohamed Douhour Hersi, Ambassador of Djibouti to Morocco, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Djibouti in the fields of education, science and culture.
At the beginning of the meeting, held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Mr. Mohamed Douhour Hersi on his appointment as Ambassador of Djibouti to Morocco and wished him success in his position, expressing ICESCO’s keenness to promote cooperation and partnership with the Republic of Djibouti.

The DG highlighted the key elements in the Organization’s vision and action strategy, which both accord great attention to building youth and women’s capacities and anchoring the values of coexistences, peace and civilizational dialogue. He added that these two key documents also aim at contributing to the advancement of scientific research in the Member States and encouraging them to invest in space science and capitalize on AI applications in the fields of education, science and culture.
ICESCO DG shed light on the programs and initiatives ICESCO launched and implemented to support the efforts of its Member States to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, science and culture.

For his part, Ambassador Hersi commended the roles ICESCO assumes to support its Member States in its areas of competence, stressing his country’s keenness to build fruitful cooperation with ICESCO through the implementation of a number of joint initiatives in the fields of education, science and culture.

The three-day Scientific Forum on Security Media during Crises and Disasters, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kicked off on Wednesday, 16 March 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. The event saw the participation of selected experts, researchers and academicians and aims at discussing the role of security media and the importance of promoting the use of new technologies in preventing or mitigating the impact of disasters and crises.

After a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, the opening session began with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), in which he emphasized the need to strengthen the role of the media as channels for factual information delivery in exceptional circumstances.
“The media contribute to the prevention and management of crises by anticipating their occurrence and helping competent authorities take the appropriate decisions to address them to then draw valuable lessons for the future,” added Dr. AlMalik.

ICESCO DG added that the Organization launched an ambitious programme for the years 2020-2024 geared towards disaster management through the strengthening of Member States’ capacities to address crises and mitigate their adverse impact on the educational, cultural and social fields. The programme consists of a series of lectures and is aimed at building the capacities of institutions, governments and decision-makers to anchor a culture of prevention in the Islamic world, integrating disaster risk management into educational curricula and promoting scientific research and artificial intelligence applications.

In his address, Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Harfash, Vice President for External Relations at NAUSS, noted that the university endeavors to translate the issue of security media into a tangible reality, implement strategies and promote the Media Plan for Security Awareness and Crime Prevention in the countries of the Islamic world.

He added that the university is working on the promotion of security media through the implementation of various initiatives and the preparation of scientific researches and studies, as well as the organization of regional and international conferences and lectures to further the efforts exerted to develop security media policies in and beyond the Islamic world.

The first session of the Forum touched upon new media and crisis/disaster management, followed by the second session on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, and the third session on security media and the role of the security services. Multiple scientific papers were presented during each session, tackling various topics, namely the media as a source of soft power, the social effects of false information and the role of the new media and social networks in crisis communications.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Emir of Kano State, Nigeria, and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, at the Organization’s Headquarters in Rabat, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

During the meeting, attended by several ICESCO officials and Mr. Sanussi II’s accompanying delegation, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization’s new vision and action strategy are grounded upon the approach of openness to all to serve the Member States and Muslim communities around the world.

“By adopting this approach, ICESCO seeks to promote civilizational dialogue; anchor the values of peace and coexistence, build youth and women capacities, and provide a true portrayal of the Islamic civilization,” added Dr. AlMalik.
ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s key initiatives and programmes implemented in cooperation with competent authorities in the Member States and multiple partners to achieve the aforementioned objectives, noting that ICESCO attaches great importance to supporting the African continent.

The meeting touched upon the importance of spiritual education, the preservation of cultural identity and the development of school curricula in line with the current developments.

For his part, Mr. Muhammadu Sanusi II hailed ICESCO’s efforts and roles in the fields of education, science and culture. He noted that he is following closely the Organization’s commendable work and that he participated in the launching ceremony of ICESCO’s Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) for the benefit of women and youth last year.

The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the launch of the “Interviews of the Future” Series, organized by the ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight on Tuesday 15 March 15, 2022, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The first interview featured the great Senegalese intellectual, Dr. Souleymane Bachir Diagne, and was marked by the participation of a host of researchers and experts in the field.

At the outset, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the Series aims to bring together intellectuals, scholars and influencers to explore their views and discuss their innovative ideas on the future. He added that even though they specialize in different academic and philosophical fields, these intellectuals all share the ability to inspire, influence and reimagine the future in order to create a common ground and find shared ideas about what lies ahead.

Moreover, the Director-General stated that through this series, ICESCO aims to host scholars specializing in different fields including anthropology, philosophy, sociology, and modern technology, noting that Dr. Diagne is a key figure whose views and perceptions had a great influence on the Islamic world and Africa.

Afterward, Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Center for Strategic Foresight, gave an overview of Dr. Diagne’s intellectual and academic background, who currently works as a French and Philosophy Professor at Columbia University in the United States of America. He stated that the guest scholar is interested in various fields including logic, history of philosophy, literature, and Islamic and African philosophy.

In his lecture, Dr. Diagne talked about the concept of the philosophy of time in the Arab Islamic culture, basing his analysis on the concept and elements of the word “ad-Dahr” (eternity), a significant notion in Islamic thought. He then gave several suggestions on ways to focus on the major issues to develop minds and unite people within the framework of the notion of time.

In addition, Dr. Diagne addressed the meaning of anticipatory culture in the Islamic world and underlined the need to understand the current reality of the world as well as the future realities for the younger generations, stressing the importance of avoiding generational alienation to maintain relations and benefit from one another’s experiences.

Likewise, the Senegalese scholar underscored that foresight as a concept compels us to avoid the mistakes of the past, stating that success lies in building the capacities of younger generations through education, training on the jobs of tomorrow, and awareness-raising on the importance of cultural pluralism as the world is plural in its races, languages and religions.

Following the lecture, the guest answered the participants’ questions, discussed their views on the concepts relevant to the present and future, and shared viewpoints on ways to build a resilient future.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Rachid Talbi Alami, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco, and both discussed prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the House in areas of common interest.
At the beginning of the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at the House of Representatives in Rabat, Dr. Al-Malik congratulated Mr. Talbi Alami on his chairmanship of the House of Representatives for the legislative mandate 2021-2026, wishing him every success in his mission.

ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, and the most prominent initiatives, programs and cultural activities to be implemented during the current year, as part of celebrating Rabat Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, including the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization due to be hosted at ICESCO headquarters under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, may Allah assist him.

For his part, Mr. Talbi Alami praised ICESCO’s efforts and the roles it plays to support its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing the House’s keenness to coordinate efforts to ensure the success of cultural programs scheduled for the celebration of Rabat Culture Capital in the Islamic World.

Mr. Alami indicated the need to move forward in strengthening joint action and future cooperation between the two sides, in many areas, such as strengthening the human rights system, youth participation in issues of public affairs, artificial intelligence, energy and water resources, and modern technology in general.

The two sides agreed to continue cooperation within a legal framework by signing a cooperation agreement between ICESCO and the House of Representatives.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy DG, Ms. Amira Fadil, Director of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards Department at the Organization.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Sheikh Mohamed El Hafed Enahoui, President of the Islamic Cultural Coalition in Mauritania and West Africa, to strengthen cooperation between the two Organizations.

During the meeting, held on Monday, 14 March 2022, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that as part of ICESCO’s new vision and action strategy, the Organization adopts an open-door approach to cooperate with all parties for the benefit of its Member States and Muslim societies around the world to promote civilizational dialogue, consolidating the values of peace and coexistence and building the capacities of youth and women.

For his part, Sheikh Enahoui commended ICESCO’s roles in introducing the correct image of Islamic civilization around the world, and the Organization’s important initiative to host the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah, based in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and Makkah Al-Mukarrama, at its headquarters in Rabat, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

He also expressed his desire for ICESCO to participate in an international conference that will be held soon by the Islamic Cultural Coalition in Mauritania and West Africa, noting the Coalition’s eagerness to cooperate with the Organization in its conferences and forums.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in Morocco held a meeting on Monday, 14 March 2022, to explore the arrangements for the official launch of the celebration of Rabat as the 2022 Culture Capital in the Islamic World.

Mr. Al-Mahdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), chaired the meeting which focused on reviewing the preparation for the official launch of the celebration, set for 24 March 2022. The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, and Mr. Najib Rhiati, Cultural Advisor to the DG, General Coordinator of the celebration.

Following the meeting, a technical meeting was held between the delegations of ICESCO and the Ministry to explore the items on the official launch program. The Ministry’s delegation consisted of Mr. Mohammed Benhsain, Director of Mohammed V Theater, Minister Advisor; Mr. Salah Eddine Abqari, Minister Advisor; and Mr. Youssef Britel, Minister Advisor, film director.

The two parties also reaffirmed the importance of highlighting the cultural and artistic elements of the Kingdom’s capital, which reflect the wise royal policy to render Rabat a world capital and an international cultural destination.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, the International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO Program, with a lecture by Moroccan thinker Dr. Fouad Laroui, during the intellectual meeting held by ICESCO’s International Think Tank for Thought, Letters, Heritage and Arts and ICESCO Chair at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra in the Kingdom of Morocco, with the attendance of a group of academics, writers and thinkers.

Prior to the meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), received Dr. Fouad Laroui, and welcome him at ICESCO’s Headquarters emphasizing the Organization’s endeavor within the framework of its new vision to become a leader in the fields of education, science and culture, noting that the International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO Program is part of ICESCO strategic plan to make culture a foundation of knowledge and a methodological starting point for understanding and addressing challenges around the world.

Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector, commenced the meeting by welcoming the audience and commending the intellectual publications of the Moroccan thinker Fouad Laroui, which deal with various topics inspired from the Arab and Islamic civilization. He pointed out that ICESCO’s new vision and strategy opened the door for all forms of culture, and how the Organization’s programs and initiatives contribute to the advancement of cultural activities inside and outside the Islamic world.

For her part, Dr. Sanaa El Ghawati, Supervisor of ICESCO Chair at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, expressed her happiness with the Chair’s participation in the launch of the International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO Program, commending ICESCO’s role in welcoming international thinkers, writers and intellectuals to contribute to the revitalization of the cultural movement in the Islamic world.

Thereafter, Dr. Fouad Laroui gave a lecture on his academic and professional career, noting that the years he spent living in various European countries formed a source of inspiration for a number of his books. He then reaffirmed his desire to present the correct image of the Arab and Islamic intellectual heritage and to introduce its rich knowledge and literature to the European audiences; a heritage that has contributed greatly to the global civilization.

He also talked about his attempts, through his books, to change stereotypes about Arabs, through showcasing the Islamic world’s cultural heritage multiplicity and diversity and highlighting several predominant intellectual fallacies and historical errors about Arab civilization.

At the end of the lecture, the floor was opened for the attendees to raise questions and share their points of view about the topic of the discussion.

A delegation of creative children with trisomy (Down Syndrome) visited the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat to attend the “Future Imagined by Young Artists” workshop. The event, which took place at the Hall of Islamic Solidarity at ICESCO headquarters, was held by the Organization as part of the celebration of Rabat, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022 to learn about artists’ perceptions of the future of culture and creativity.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), greeted these children and received them in his office at the close of the event to welcome them, and together they engaged in a discussion on the children’s interests and artistic works, which they craft under the supervision of the personnel of the Moroccan Association for the Support and Assistance of People with Down’s Syndrome (AMSAT). AMSAT is a non-profit association established in 1981, which has been placed under the honorary chairmanship of HRH Prince Moulay Rachid since January 2003 and is working on the social inclusion of people with trisomy.

The children were delighted to visit ICESCO’s Headquarters, tour its halls and facilities, and contemplate the paintings displayed in ICESCO’s Gallery for Contemporary Art.