Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) paid tribute to the young people who spend a period of professional training as interns in one of ICESCO’s sectors, departments and centers. On this occasion, ICESCO organized a major celebration which saw the participation of a number of key figures in the Islamic world, who shared their successful experiences and gave valuable pieces of advice to the young people to help them stand out and succeed on their professional life.

The ceremony was held today, Friday, April 1st 2022, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in recognition of the efforts and achievements of the young men and women who spent internship periods at ICESCO. The ceremony was also an opportunity to highlight ICESCO’s Young Professionals Program which was launched on March 23rd, 2022.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that interns exerted remarkable efforts in service of ICESCO and worked with dedication and integrity to contribute to the preparation of its activities and programs across the Organization’s sectors, departments and centers.

Dr. AlMalik added that both nations and institutions prosper with the visions of their youth, given their renewal spirit and different perspectives likely to impact the world. “We are living in a rapidly changing world as a result of significant technological revolution, led by young people”, the Director-General stated.

Likewise, the Director-General gave the young interns several pieces of advice, notably respecting the values of integrity, dedication, honesty, good manners and perfection. He also stressed the importance of having clear goals to strive to achieve, the ability to understand and accept other views and the need to be kind to parents.

Taking the floor next was Mr Nasreddine Nsibi, Tunisian Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, who stated that ICESCO’s Young Professionals Program aims to lay down a practical strategy to build the future. For her part, Dr. Afnan Al Shuaiby, Executive Director of the Women Development Organization, talked about her experience as a young intern and the skills she learned in her early professional training days.

ICESCO officials also gave addresses at the ceremony, including Dr. Nidal Muhammad Abuzuhri, Head of ICESCO Administrative Affairs, who noted that professional training is one of ICESCO’s main priorities as part of the Organization’s new vision. As for Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of ICESCO Legal Affairs, he gave a detailed presentation on ICESCO’s Young Professionals Program and highlighted its goals.

Afterwards, a video was screened where interns talk about their internships at ICESCO. Another video was screened about ICESCO’s journey to obtain the ISO certification (9001:2015) for quality management system whose files were prepared with the participation of interns.

The ceremony featured remarks by Mr. Samir Benmakhlouf, Former CEO of Microsoft Morocco, Ms. Instantly Benalluch, Moroccan social media influences, Mr. Mohammed Amine Zariat, Social Entrepreneur, and Mr. Amine Belghazi, Interpersonal Communication and Soft Skills Coach. The speakers talked about their personal experiences and gave advice to the young interns.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a major international celebration, both at its headquarters and via videoconference, on Thursday (March 31, 2022), under the theme “Perspectives of Women’s Poetry.”| The event brought together creative women poets, some of whom have won the ICESCO Women’s Poetry Prize “Poem of the Year of Women 2021.” ICESCO also released the first edition of its collection (diwan) “Women’s Poetry Shining in Darkness (Hina Asrajna adayajira shi’ran)” and the launch of the ICESCO Women Poets Forum.

ICESCO held this event to celebrate International Poetry Day and mark the close of ICESCO Year for Women 2021, which was honored by the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The celebration saw the participation of high-level officials, diplomats and creative poets from the Islamic world.

At the outset of the ceremony, the participants listened to a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran followed by the presentation by Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, wherein he welcomed the participants, noting that this celebration gathers a host of distinguished women poets to celebrate their achievements.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, noted that the poem has always been a witness to history and peoples’ dreams, adding that the rhyme listens to our passion and the celebration the World Poetry Day is a universal celebration of the human civilization, which is based on tolerance, coexistence and peace. “This celebration shows our pride in poetry because we are a nation of poetry par excellence” he underscored.

He reaffirmed that this celebration, marking the close of ICESCO Year for Women 2021 and the start of the Celebration of Rabat, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, is part of our effort for a brighter future and a sign that poetry will always remain a source of hope, optimism and brilliance.

At the close of his address, ICESCO Director-General announced the launch of the ICESCO Women Poets Forum as a new space for creativity. The participants then watched a video featuring Dr. AlMalik’s poem “Im’a Fi Yawm Achi’r (Gesture in the Day of Poetry)”, read out by Majdouline Bencherif, as well as another video of Ambassador Fathalrahman’s poem “Sawtuha Wa Zaman (Women’s Poetry Throughout History).”

During the opening session, the Lebanese poet, Nada El Hage, read some of the poems from her collection ‘Aber Adahcha’, commending ICESCO’s Celebration and highlighting her love for the Kingdom of Morocco and the spiritual connection she has with this country.

After that, ICESCO Director-General awarded ICESCO Prize for Women’s Poetry along with certificates of appreciation to the three winners, namely Hajar Muhammad Omar from the Republic of Egypt, Sherihan Al-Tayeb Kalbash Daleel from the Republic of The Sudan, and Laila Naji Ali Al-Omari from the Republic of Yemen. ICESCO also revealed the first release of its collection “Women’s Poetry Shining in Darkness (Hina Asrajna adayajira shi’ran),” which includes the distinguished poems that participated in the competition.

During the first session, the first and second winners, Hajar Omar and Sherihan Al-Tayeb Kalbash Daleel recited their respective winning poems “Hya Saydatu al-Ard (Lady of Earth)” and “Mir’at Lavinus.”

Afterward, ICESCO honored the Moroccan poet Fatima Bouhraka, who expressed her happiness and dedicated her second book, which is part of her series, entitled “Encyclopedia of Contemporary Arab Women’s Poetry between 1950 and 2020” to ICESCO.

In the following sessions, the participants enjoyed listening to the distinguished poems of the ICESCO Women’s Poetry Competition, in rhythm with the music.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) officially concluded its “ICESCO Year of Women 2021,” launched last year under the theme “Women for the Future,” under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, Chairwoman of the National Union of Moroccan Women (UNFM), chaired the official ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, with the presence of high-level officials and leading women figures in different fields from Morocco and the Islamic world.

After a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered an address in which he stated that it is a distinct pleasure to celebrate the conclusion of the ICESCO Year of Women 2021 under the high royal patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and with the gracious presence of H.R.H. Princess Lalla Meryem, who has always shown great interest in women issues.

ICESCO DG noted that this celebration is not fortuitous, but is rather a carefully-thought-out initiative aimed at paying homage to women for being at the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, one of the most deleterious crises in contemporary history that impacted all aspects of our lives and had serious repercussions on various fields.
He also reviewed the key programmes and activities held as part of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021, notably:

• ICESCO Program for Building Women’s Entrepreneurial Capacity.
• ICESCO Program for Improving Sanitation Services in Rural Schools;
• Celebrating International Days and dedicating them to women;
• ICESCO Peace Ambassadors Program;
• Allocating ICESCO prizes to women;
• Establishing ICESCO Scientific Chairs for Women;
• The “Women Pioneers Around the World” Program.

In conclusion of his address, Dr. AlMalik conveyed his gratitude to H.R.H. Princess Lalla Meryem for gracing the event with her generous presence, extending thanks to the honorable guests, before reciting a poem that he composed in recognition of women’s role in society.

The “Awareness Bells on the Role of Women in the Future of the Islamic World” were then launched, followed by the Princess’s visit to an exhibition showcasing handicrafts and products made by Moroccan women’s cooperatives.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Camélia Ntoutoume Leclercq, Minister of National Education of the Republic of Gabon, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon in the fields of education and women empowerment.

At the beginning of the meeting, held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Ms. Leclercq on her appointment as Minister of National Education in Gabon, wishing her all success in assuming this great responsibility. Dr. AlMalik also thanked the Minister for accepting ICESCO’s invitation to attend ICESCO’s closing ceremony of the Year of Women 2021, which was granted the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

For her part, the Gabonese Minister expressed her delight to visit ICESCO Headquarters and conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister of Gabon, who she represents in the ceremony. The Minister also noted that Gabon takes great pride in its special partnership with ICESCO, which first saw the light in October 2021, when the Director-General visited Libreville and met with senior Gabonese officials, most notably, H.E. President Ali Bongo.

The meeting addressed areas of ongoing cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon, the key programs and activities recently implemented in the country, and the visit of the ICESCO delegation to Libreville to take stock of the priorities and needs of Gabon in the fields of education, science and culture in the next period.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties reiterated their keenness to maintain the fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon, especially in the fields of education, women empowerment and youth capacity building.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Ms. Benita Diop, African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security. The meeting discussed the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the African Union for supporting and building women’s capacities and consolidating the values of coexistence and peace.

At the outset of the meeting, held at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Ms. Diop thanked Dr. AlMalik for the invitation to attend the closing ceremony of ICESCO Year of Women 2021, commending the Organization’s programs and activities to support women and enhance their roles.
For his part, ICESCO DG stressed that supporting women is part of the priorities of the Organization’s new vision and action strategy. 2021 was proclaimed as the Year of Women in appreciation of the great roles that women play at all levels. The end of this celebration does not imply the discontinuation of the programs and activities implemented to support women in the Members States and encourage policies aimed at achieving gender equality.

The meeting touched on the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the African Union for supporting women and building their capacities.

In conclusion, the two parties agreed to hold expert meetings to agree on several programs and activities of cooperation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Isatou Touray, Vice-president of the Republic of the Gambia, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Gambia in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to Dr. Touray for accepting ICESCO’s invitation to attend the closing ceremony of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021, which was granted the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco.
For her part, the Gambian Vice-president expressed her delight to take part in this ceremony in support of ICESCO’s determination to empower and build the capacities of the women in the Member States, commending the initiatives, programs and activities held as part of the Organization’s celebration of women.

The meeting was attended by several ICESCO’s leaderships and reviewed the main focuses of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations by 2025, which are based on extensive communication with the Member States to identify their priorities and needs in order to design the appropriate programs and activities for each country. The ICESCO officials also gave an overview of the many programs the Organization is implementing in cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold expert meetings between ICESCO and the Gambian competent authorities to identify programs and activities that can be the stepping stone for fruitful cooperation and partnership between the two parties.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Hayat Qatat Al-Qirmazi, Minister of Cultural Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, explored ways to promote cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Tunisia in the cultural fields.

During this meeting, held at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik thanked Dr. Al-Qarmazi for accepting the invitation to attend the closing ceremony of ICESCO Year of Women 2021. For her part, the Tunisian Minister expressed her thanks for this invitation and her happiness to participate in the closing ceremony of the celebration that included an array of achievements to support women.

The meeting touched upon the cooperation relations between ICESCO and Tunisia in several cultural programs and activities, including the restoration of the House of Ibn Khaldoun, in Tunis. The two parties stressed the need to complete the restoration of this archaeological monument, which is part of the heritage of one of the major philosophers, historians and sociologists.

ICESCO DG and the Tunisian Minister of Culture also discussed cooperation in the project of the establishment of the International Center for Calligraphy and Ancient Languages in Tunis, which will be equipped with the latest documentation technologies, particularly in the field of Arabic calligraphy.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to strengthen cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Tunisia in the cultural fields, particularly after the great success of the celebration of Tunis, the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2019.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the International University of Rabat (IUR) in the Kingdom of Morocco, launched on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, a program for Piloting the Introduction of ICESCO’S Peace 360º Approach in Academia, which aims to strengthen educational programs in the field of peacebuilding and security in ICESCO’s Member States, through an approach based on a comprehensive and multidisciplinary methodology. The program will be implemented within the framework of the IUR’s Master program in Conflict Resolution and Governance of Peace.

The Program opening ceremony, held at the IUR headquarters and via videoconference, saw the participation of several experts and researchers in the fields related to building security and peace.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), started the ceremony with a speech in which he highlighted the importance of the Programme, which was launched within the framework of the celebration of Rabat as the 2022 Culture Capital in the Islamic world in achieving peace and security, confirming that the concept of peace is not only related to the absence of war, but also to the establishment of institutions and policies to promote a culture of peace and security in societies.

He noted that this initiative represents ICESCO’s new vision, which seeks, through the promotion of peace, to contribute to the development of human capital in the Islamic world, stressing the role of universities in understanding new phenomena and overcoming the challenges facing our societies.

For his part, Dr. Abdelaziz Benjouad, IUR Vice President, highlighted the importance of cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and the University to achieve peace and security and strengthen sustainable development goals.

Ms. Ramata Almami Mbay, Director of ICESCO’s Human and Social Sciences Sector, stressed that the Organization aims, through this program, to train young leaders who can contribute constructively to building sustainable peace, reviewing ICESCO’s initiatives in cooperation with a number of parties in the field of civilizational dialogue and countering hate speech and extremism.

In a prerecorded message, Dr. Abdel Rahamane Baba-Moussa, Secretary-General of the Conference of Ministers of Education of French-Speaking Countries (CONFEMEN), stressed the need to invoke the educational aspects in developing policies and plans aimed at building peace and promoting coexistence, cultural dialogue and mutual respect.

In her speech, Ms. Amira Al-Fadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, emphasized that the Program constitutes the start of a strategic project for the Organization with the participation of many students at several levels of studies and in different countries.

Mr. Nebil DABUR, Director General of Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), congratulated ICESCO for launching the Program, stressing that the absence of peace is a real challenge facing the countries of the Islamic world.

During the ceremony, Dr. Alioune Sall, Executive Director of African Futures Institute delivered an introductory lecture on the topic of peace and human development, highlighting the importance of peace in achieving development, providing favorable conditions for development, fostering hope and confidence in the future and encouraging investment.

In conclusion, Prof. Julien DURAND DE SANCTIS, Director of IUR Master in Governance of Peace, expressed his happiness with the cooperation between ICESCO and the University, stressing the importance of studies related to conflict and peacebuilding begins with the ability to study and understand violence.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an international symposium in observance of World Theater Day, with the participation of eminent writers, play directors and academicians. The event aimed at casting light on the importance of theater in achieving sustainable development and cultivating harmonious coexistence, discussing its history and culture and reviewing the developments it has witnessed over the years.

Participants in the symposium, held on Monday, March 28, 2022, via videoconference, emphasized the importance of cultural policies and the need to elaborate strategies aimed at the development of creative capacities to advance the cultural field in the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered the opening remarks in which he noted that this celebration highlights the profound significance of fine art and culture, awakens the civilizational awareness of societies, and underlines the need for sustainable development and human prosperity, which lay at the core of theatrical art.

He added that one of ICESCO’s main missions is supporting theatre through a forward-looking vision promoting initiatives that are geared towards the development of theatrical art as an intangible cultural heritage reflecting a sense of belonging and civic engagement, and mirroring a culture of integration, teamwork, dialogue and openness.

ICESCO DG stressed that the Organization, in cooperation with its Member States, endeavors to strengthen human competencies and creative talents in fine theatrical art. “ICESCO recommends logistic and financial support for theater and artists, the preservation of their rights and intellectual property, the reconciliation of theatrical art with education, the integration of people with disabilities into theatrical work, the use of theater in the promotion of social cohesion, and the safeguarding of theatrical heritage through the latest archival technologies,” added Dr. AlMalik.

In his address, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, noted that ICESCO’s observance of World Theater Day is part of its new vision based on openness to all cultural fields. “This celebration is an appreciation of the role of culture in defining the essence of societies, a recognition of its importance and a promotion of cultural luminaries,” added the ICESCO official.

Dr. Dima Hamdan, Supervisor of the ICESCO Chair at the Lebanese University, emphasized that theater has historically been used as a shield against crises. She added that theater is an art that translates suffering into fine cathartic works that speak to the soul, and that it is a means of communication that anchors development, social cohesion and coexistence.

Dr. Dima Hamdan then moderated the symposium’s sessions, yielding the floor to Dr. Messaoud Driss, Professor at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art at Tunis University, whose address touched upon the history of Tunisian theater and the stages of its evolution as well as the characteristics of Tunisian cultural practices. For his part, Dr. Sulayman Al-Bassam, playwright and director, reviewed his theatrical scripts and performances and explained how he drew inspiration from reality in selecting the themes of his works.

Dr. Omar Fertat, Lecturer at Bordeaux Montaigne University in France, reviewed the general trends of the Moroccan theater, which witnessed a prominent female presence in recent years. In the same vein, Ms. Nidal Al-Achkar, Lebanese actress and director, noted that theater is a binding link between all members of society, regardless of differences in classes and ideas.

In his address, Dr. Machhour Mustapha, Professor in the Department of Theatre, Cinema and Television at the Doctoral School of the Lebanese University, discussed the various methods of teaching play directing, underlining that it is imperative for directing instructors to be knowledgeable about acting. He also underscored the need to support artists, provide spaces for cultural activities and develop a sense of objective criticism to attain cultural prosperity.

The 3rd International Conference on Space 2022, co-organized by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Islamic World Organization for Science, Education and Culture (ICESCO), Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) and Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET), kicked off on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Islamabad, Pakistan, under the theme “Role of Space Technology and Applications in Socio-economic Development.”

The opening session of the Conference witnessed the participation of high-level officials and experts in the field of space sciences, who will share, over three days, knowledge and experiences, and explore the latest developments and state-of-the-art space innovations.

In his prerecorded speech, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), called for capitalizing on the applications and mechanisms of space science and technology to enhance the capacities of youth and women in Muslim countries in the areas of innovation and modern technology to achieve socio-economic development, rationalize the use of natural resources, promote peace values and address the challenges facing humanity.

ICESCO DG also stressed that the Organization, in its new vision and action strategy, strongly encourages its Member States to invest in the field of space sciences and its applications.

In his intervention, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of integrating space sciences into Muslim countries’ development policies and disseminate knowledge on space technologies and prospects.