Category: Director General

At the start of his official visit to Azerbaijan on Monday, January 11, 2021, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Anar Karimov, Azerbaijan Minister of Culture. The meeting explored the promotion of the outstanding relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan.

At the onset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and his delegation congratulated Mr. Karimov on his appointment as Minister of Culture and President of Azerbaijan National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture while wishing him every success.

Mr. Karimov welcomed Dr. AlMalik and his delegation stating that the political leadership in Azerbaijan highly appreciates the historic and timely visit. He also praised ICESCO as the first international Organization to conduct such visit, which includes many tours of historic sites in Azerbaijan.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the salient developments in ICESCO in terms of the organizational structure, the working mechanisms, and the strategic vision, which promotes further communication with Member States. The goal is to develop programs and projects based on Member States’ needs and priorities and hold partnerships with non-Member States for the benefit of all Muslim communities worldwide.

The meeting also touched upon the areas of cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the field of culture, particularly preserving and inscribing historical sites and cultural elements on the Islamic world Heritage List, as well as promoting the civilizational dialogue and accurately presenting Islamic culture to the world.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain joint action to strengthen the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan through practical programs likely to make major achievements.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) begins on Monday, 11 January 2021, an official visit to Azerbaijan, during which he will meet with several senior officials in the country, to discuss ways to promote cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The agenda for the visit of Dr. AlMalik and his accompanying delegation of ICESCO’s sector managers includes a field tour of multiple historical and cultural sites.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the visit is part of the distinct relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, and the two sides’ keenness to develop them in light of ICESCO’s new vision. The visit also comes amid the special attention ICESCO attaches to the valorization, preservation, and inscription of cultural and historical treasures in the Member States on the Islamic World Heritage List. It is within the framework of the Organization’s commitment to revive the Islamic heritage in its various aspects to link generations and build shared historic accounts to allow for future anticipation.

The DG indicated that cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan is distinguished, covering all of the Organization’s fields of action and its future plans, focusing on civilizational dialogue and the presentation of the correct image of Islamic culture to the world.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, DG of Moroccan News Agency (MAP), held yesterday, talks on ways to strengthen relations between the two institutions in the areas of common interest.

Officials from both parties attended the meeting at MAP’s headquarters in Rabat. Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Hachimi Idrissi expressed their shared desire to strengthen relations between the two institutions through a partnership agreement covering practical programs and projects with attainable objectives. The partnership discussions focused on capacity building and training in media, particularly in Africa, in addition to the fields of publications, culture, science, and education.

The two parties reviewed evolving work mechanisms in the two institutions, main achievements in 2020, and intellectual and knowledge production.

ICESCO DG noted that the fruitful and constructive meeting was intended to be a starting point for reinforcing the partnership between ICESCO and MAP. He also stressed that ICESCO, as part of its new vision, adopted an open-door policy to all and supporting and training the youth, with the awareness of the importance of investing in human capital. The two institutions can benefit from each other’s potentials.

Mr. Hachimi Idrissi affirmed that MAP is ready to foster cooperation with ICESCO through the conclusion of an agreement with innovative formulas that benefit from the media attributes of the Agency. He stressed the importance of consolidating a real and tangible cultural relationship. He added that the MAP’s presidency of the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies (FAAPA) opens up broad prospects for cooperation in media training at the global level.

In a statement to Moroccan news channel “M24” after the meeting, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO intends to hold symposia and conferences in partnership with MAP and that the Organization is committed to supporting the 7^th World Congress of News Agencies that MAP will organize in Marrakesh in 2022.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), announced the start of the preparations for holding an international conference on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in cooperation with the Muslim World League (MWL) and Mohammadia League of Scholars. The conference, which will bring together several intellectuals, will highlight the Prophet’s unique virtues and refute allegations and offenses leveled against him.

The announcement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, yesterday, December 30, 2020, at the 3rd Media Forum of the Union of OIC News agencies. The event saw the participation of many permanent delegates of OIC Member States, directors and representatives of news agencies, radio stations and digital platforms; media and communication teachers, as well as the directors and representatives of OIC bodies. The 3rd forum explored the future of cultural action in the Islamic world and the efforts of ICESCO.

“The conference, which aims at highlighting the noble virtues and values of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is part of the efforts of ICESCO and its partners in defending and publicizing Islam, the Prophet, and the Islamic civilization and culture,” highlighted Dr. AlMalik.

Dr. AlMalik announced the start of the preparations for a scientific conference next year on the future of media in the Islamic world, as well as the proclamation of 2021 as Women’s Year in the Islamic world to illuminate women’s issues and support their rights.

The address also reviewed ICESCO’s efforts during the last period to fulfill its role, open new pathways for action, and implement its new organizational structure, most notably the modification of its name to the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Organization promoted education and culture, attracted new competencies, promoted geographical diversity, and created several specialized centers, including the Strategic Foresight Center to keep up with the international developments and to anticipate the future.

ICESCO also established the Islamic World Heritage Center to inscribe more heritage sites in Muslim countries. The Organization has so far inscribed 213 sites in the Islamic World Heritage List. ICESCO also established the Center for Dialogue to lead the civilizational dialogue in the Islamic world, as well as the Center of Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers, the Artificial Intelligence Center, and the Center of Arts.

Dr. AlMalik underscored that ICESCO developed a new observer status to encourage donors and non-Member States to join the Organization as observers. “ICESCO also launched the COVID-19 Prize, ICESCO Digital Home, the academic chairs on new media in many universities as well as ICESCO Media Friends Group,” he added.
The DG explored the future of cultural action in the Islamic world and ICESCO’s projects, including the medium-term strategic cultural action plans for 2020-2030, entitled “ICESCO Roads for the Future.”
“Despite the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of life, ICESCO considered it an opportunity for action and creativity based on modern communication technologies,” he stated.
In his address delivered by Mohamed Al-Yami, Assistant Director-General, Ahmad Bin Abdullah Al-Qarni, UNA-OIC DG, welcomed ICESCO DG. The host expressed the Union’s pride in having Dr. AlMalik to talk about the future of cultural action in the Islamic world and ICESCO’s efforts as the second major house of expertise in the fields of education, culture, and science after UNESCO.

Hazem Abdo, Head of UNA Foreign Affairs, moderated the Forum. The list of participants included Zayed Sultan Abdullah, UNA Assistant DG; Dr. Maher Karaki, Permanent Delegate of the State of Palestine to the OIC; Dr. Ibrahim Jallou, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia, Permanent Representative to the OIC; Mokhtar Shoayb, Director of Al-Ahram office in Saudi Arabia; Ali al-Sayed, Editor-in-Chief of the Middle East News Agency (MENA); Dr. Lamia Mahmoud, Head of Sawt Al Arab Radio Network; Habib Tommi, Advisor to the Bahraini Ministry of Information Affairs; Anna Belkova, Consultant of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World”; Khadem Bausso, Editor-in-chief of the Senegalese Sen Arabe newspaper; Dr. Mahjoub Bensaid, Member of the Executive Bureau of the International Network of Arab and African Journalists; Dr. Othman Qazzaz, Professor at Umm Al-Qura University; Mohamed Ahmed Fal, journalist at Mauritania Radio; Hamdan Al-Rahbi, journalist at Yemen News Agency (SABA); Khaled Adenon, Professor of Information and Communication; Khadija Diarasoba, Ivorian Media Expert; Sheikh Khaled Taqi Eddine from Brazil; Dr. Said Al-Naghis, journalist at Mufakara Electronic Newspaper; Majed Al-Tal, journalist at Jordan News Agency (Petra); Haouari Kabad, journalist at Mauritania News Agency; and Ibrahim Barnawi, journalist at Al-Madina newspaper.

The forum was part of the conclusions of the 1st forum of UNA, held on May 16, 2020, under the patronage of the Saudi Acting Media Minister, Chairman of UNA Executive Council, which launched UNA’s activities and programs for upgrading the capacities of 2200 media professionals in the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Cui Ping, DG of Huawei Technologies Co. – Morocco, signed on Monday, December 28, 2020, at the Organization’s headquarters, a grant agreement, which consists of 200 tablets for sustaining distance education in some schools in Morocco.

The ceremony brought together ICESCO’s heads and directors of sectors and centers, Mr. Chu Yuan, Assistant DG of Huawei Technologies Co. – Morocco, as well as Ms. Chaymae Salhi, Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Officer at Huawei.

During the ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to promote cooperation and partnership with civil society institutions in the Member States within the framework of its new vision and action strategy.

“ICESCO seeks to support its Member States to develop technology and innovation. I am delighted to collaborate with Huawei Technologies, which is one of the major technology companies,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik stated that modern technologies are the key to overcome the current and future challenges facing the world while pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of technology, particularly in the field of distance education.

Mr. Cui Ping said that Huawei is proud of its cooperation with ICESCO, which includes 54 Member States. “Huawei pays special attention to its projects and programs implemented based on social responsibility, particularly in the fields of education, training, and students’ welfare in various countries, including Morocco,” he stressed.

Mr. Cui Ping noted that Huawei has been operating in Morocco for 20 years, during which the company implemented several projects and programs in various regions of Morocco. The company also launched student-welfare programs for thousands of students, some of whom received training in Huawei’s headquarters in China. “Huawei Technologies – Morocco will make every effort to ensure the success of its cooperation with ICESCO,” he stressed.

Huawei then screened its institutional film, which tells its 20-year-old story in Morocco.

The two parties agreed to hold a meeting to explore their future cooperation, particularly students training and scholarships as well as ICESCO’s programs for 2021, which the Organization dedicates to women.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research of Morocco signed a contract for consultative services and institutional support to implement a draft model for developing primary education in Morocco, with a total budget of USD 280,000, in partnership with the Islamic Bank of Development (IsDB).

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Said Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, signed the contract at the close of the opening session of the Normal Session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

The General Assembly was held on Thursday, December 24, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Saaddine Othmani, Head of the Moroccan government, a host of ministers and officials from of the Moroccan government, and several international organization representatives.

The contract provides for ICESCO’s technical assistance in the preparation of a model for developing primary education in Morocco, with a grant from the IsDB to the Moroccan Ministry of Education. The contract aims to ensure ICESCO’s technical support to achieve mandatory access to education for students between the ages of four and 11, and integrate primary education as a mandatory level. It also aims to improve the ranking of student performance in national and international evaluations, through the preparation and application of an integrated model for developing primary education in two years.

Elements of the project include the following axes:

1. Integrating primary education as a mandatory level;
2. Facilitating the integration of persons with special needs in the educational system;
3. Preparing a new pedagogical model for the benefit of students and educators;
4. Preparing a new model for the governance and management of educational institutions;
5. Preparing a new model to achieve equity and equal opportunities for access to primary education.

The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted on Thursday, December 24, 2020, the ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, under the chairmanship of Mr. Saad Dine El Otmani, Head of the Moroccan Government, and Mr. Saaid Amzazi, President the National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government Spokesperson.

The session also brought together Mr. Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of National Defense Administration; Mr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), as well as the Commission’s members and staff.

During the meeting, which saw the participation of the representatives of UNESCO and ALECSO, Mr. El Otmani expressed his pride in the pivotal roles of the Moroccan National Commission in linking the governmental sectors and the national bodies to UNESCO, ICESCO, and ALECSO. The organizations specialize in education, science, culture, sustainable development, communication, youth, and sports. He also commended the efforts of Mr. Amzazi, President of the Commission, to revitalize it and effectively implement the programmes and activities of the three organizations.

Mr. El Otmani congratulated Mr. Jamal Dine Elaloua on his appointment as the Secretary-General of the Commission and thanked ICESCO for hosting this meeting as well as its great and constructive cooperation with the Moroccan National Commission in many projects and programs.

In his address at the opening session, Mr. Amzazi, President of the National Commission, reaffirmed his endeavor to promote the Commission to fulfill its tasks. “Our National Commission has recently made great achievements. It has imposed itself as a distinguished National Commission within the networks of the three organizations,” he underscored.

In his address at the opening session, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the Moroccan National Commission at ICESCO headquarters and expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his care and support to ICESCO, on the path of his father, the late King Hassan II, may Allah rest his soul.
Dr. AlMalik also thanked Mr. El Otmani, Head of the Moroccan Government, all the Moroccan ministries, the Member States as well as the presidents of national commissions for their sustained support for and cooperation with ICESCO.

Mr. Othman El Ferdaous, Minister of Culture, in the address that the Ministry’s Secretary-General delivered on his behalf, stressed the key role of the Moroccan National Commission.
“It is a major mechanism and a pivotal bridge between the international organizations, the sector of culture, and the national bodies concerned with culture. Other speakers during the opening session, held through videoconference, included Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant DG of UNESCO for Africa, as well as Mr. Abdel-Fattah Al-Hajmari, Director of the Arabization Coordination Bureau. Both speakers commended the work of the National Commission and reaffirmed their great confidence in the Moroccan National Commission as an essential partner in their programs and activities.

At the close of the opening session, Mr. Amzazi and Dr. AlMalik signed a contract of advisory services and institutional support to implement the pilot project for the development of basic education in Morocco. The project will be implemented in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Group.

The National Commission then held its special session with the participation of most of its members, through videoconference. The session reviewed, examined, and unanimously approved the activity and financial reports for 2020, in addition to the action program and the draft budget for 2021. The session concluded with the recitation of the message due to be conveyed to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.

The 3rd Media Forum of the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA-OIC) will host, by videoconference on 30 December 2020, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

UNA-OIC Acting DG, Mr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Qarni, stated that the forum will tackle the future of Islamic cultural action and ICESCO’s efforts and initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its future vision as a house of expertise and a center of excellence in cultural, educational, scientific and foresight action.

The forum will be an open dialogue between the main guest and the participating representatives of news agencies, satellite TV channels, radio stations, newspapers, and e-platforms, along with senior officials from the OIC, ambassadors, experts, and academics from the Islamic world.

UNA-OIC launched a series of media forums hosting Islamic action leaderships and renowned personalities from the Islamic world for an open dialogue with international media on the various Islamic world’s issues. The forum will be broadcasted in Arabic, English, and French.

To register for the forum, please visit the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ItXT3VQtTB2PwAtf8yG2sQ

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Senegalese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture have signed an agreement to launch the Project “Countering COVID-19 Effects through Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship among Women and Youth” in Senegal, in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies to help 10 African countries fight the adverse repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual signing ceremony took place today in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, and Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister of National Education and President of the Senegalese National Commission.

In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reaffirmed that ICESCO will continue supporting its Member States in addressing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure is part of ICESCO’s new vision that adopts more communication with countries to identify their respective needs and priorities and thus design and implement relevant programs and projects.

The DG expressed his sincere thanks and deep appreciation to ICESCO’s permanent partner, Alwaleed Philanthropies, whose Board of Directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, for its generous support to ICESCO’s humanitarian and social initiatives to assist 10 African countries, including Senegal.

Mr. Talla commended ICESCO’s excellent work, in particular the initiatives, programs, and activities the Organization launched and implemented during COVID-19, aimed at strengthening the efforts of Member States to address the negative impacts of the pandemic. Mr. Talla also appreciated Alwaleed Philanthropies’ assistance to Senegal through its partnership with ICESCO.

At the end of the ceremony, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation phases of the project. The aim is to develop a sense of innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth in Senegal and support the private sector, entrepreneurs, and small enterprises.

For four decades, the Foundation has spent more than SAR 15 billion and carried out thousands of projects in over 189 countries. Ten Saudi female members manage the projects, benefiting more than one billion people around the world, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Alwaleed Philanthropies collaborates with a range of philanthropic, governmental, and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief, and create cultural understanding through education. The goal is to build bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant, and accepting world.

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.