As part of the activities of the International Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the tenth session of its workshop on cultural communication for development, entitled “How do the arts and storytelling drive social change?” on Thursday, 24 July 2025.
During the workshop, moderated by Ms. Souhaila El Jinani, Heritage and Museums Expert at the Culture Sector, Ms. Khadija Maalej, Media Expert and Project Manager at BBC Media Action, presented a number of inspiring examples that highlight the power of art and storytelling and their impact in various contexts, including a musician initiative from the State of Bengaluru, India, who used music to alleviate the difficult conditions of waste collectors and have a positive impact on their daily lives.
Another example was shared from the Gaza Strip, in which animated cartoons were used to tell a symbolic story affirming the fundamental right of children to play and enjoy their childhood despite wars and conflicts.
The workshop concluded with a presentation by Dr. Mohammed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, who emphasized the role of media as catalysts for social change through the power of storytelling and artistic expression, and stressed their importance in concrete future projects in partnership with young creators and cultural actors.
In light of the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, fueled by the systematic war of starvation imposed by the Zionist occupation authorities, no one has been spared: neither the elderly nor the young, neither mothers nor infants. The scale of suffering has reached unimaginable heights, surpassing even the darkest chapters of human conflict throughout history.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in accordance with its mission and mandate, calls upon all forces of good from around the world, including decision-makers, leaders of international organizations, diplomats, civil society groups, scientists, writers, artists, and all those with a living conscience, to unite in solidarity and raise a collective voice that boldly proclaims the truth.
We must uphold the dignity of humanity, safeguard its conscience, and spare it the condemnation of history as it bears witness, with its own eyes, to the greatest tragedy in human memory. This disaster shows how far the world has fallen by staying silent, while the machinery of starvation continues to claim the lives of innocents who perish under relentless assault—on the brink of a meal that never comes, a sip that never quenches their thirst.
In accordance with its steadfast commitment to safeguarding human rights and humanitarian principles, and in response to international reports denouncing the war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocidal warfare perpetrated in the Gaza Strip, ICESCO categorically condemns the systematic brutality being visited upon Gaza. The Organization calls upon all parties concerned to oppose, through every available means, Israel’s policy of starvation and systematic slaughter—a policy that recognizes no boundaries of morality and operates with utter impunity.
May Allah Almighty protect our brothers and sisters in Gaza and deliver them from their suffering.
His Excellency Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on the afternoon of Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat.
The meeting touched upon the fruitful cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and ICESCO, and the distinguished patronage and continuous attention the Organization enjoys from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, which has been translated into tangible support from the Moroccan government for the Organization’s initiatives and programs. The Director-General praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its strong support and great interest in ICESCO, clearly demonstrated by the Headquarters Agreement, which has become a model for relations between international organizations and host countries.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented a brief overview of the key achievements realized since assuming leadership of the Organization. He highlighted ICESCO’s new strategic vision, which has positioned it as a leading institution at both regional and international levels. He also reviewed major activities carried out in the Kingdom of Morocco and outlined future areas of focus, chief among them: heritage preservation, exploration of artificial intelligence prospects, and capacity building in future-oriented professions.
The Director-General affirmed that ICESCO is confidently advancing toward global leadership under the high patronage of His Majesty, noting that the Organization has earned numerous international certifications and accreditations reflecting its commitment to transparency, good governance, and institutional excellence.
Dr. AlMalik further emphasized ICESCO’s dedication to attracting outstanding talent from across the Islamic world and empowering youth through training and employment in fields aligned with the future transformations of the job market.
For his part, Minister Bourita commended ICESCO’s efforts and its growing role in enhancing the presence of the Islamic world in the fields of education, science, and culture.
At the close of the meeting, the Director-General expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for its gracious hosting of the Organization and the continued support it provides to ensure the success of its work and initiatives.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulates ICESCO’s Member States on the official inscription of seven sites of Outstanding Universal Value on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. ICESCO congratulates its Member States on this remarkable achievement and extends special recognition to the Republic of Sierra Leone for its first-ever inscription on the World Heritage List.
In total, ICESCO Member States succeeded in inscribing five cultural and two natural sites, as follows:
New Cultural World Heritage Inscriptions:
Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal – Republic of Tajikistan
Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains – Republic of Cameroon
Faya Palaeolandscape – United Arab Emirates
Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor – Malaysia
Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley – Islamic Republic of Iran
New Natural World Heritage Inscriptions:
Gola-Tiwai Complex – Republic of Sierra Leone
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago, Omatí Minhô – Republic of Guinea-Bissau
In parallel, ICESCO also congratulates its Member States, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Libya, on the successful removal of Abu Mena and the Old Town of Ghadamès from the List of World Heritage in Danger. This significant achievement follows the fulfillment of the World Heritage Committee’s requirements, including the effective implementation of corrective measures and the attainment of the adopted Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR).
ICESCO commends its Member States for their accomplishments and encourages continued efforts to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of the newly inscribed and existing world heritage sites.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, and in coordination with ICESCO’s Educational Center in Malaysia and the Islamic University of Selangor, is organizing the first periodic Regional Forum 2025 for the benefit of educational leaders in the field of Arabic language in Southeast Asia, under the theme: “Developing Productive and Creative Language Skills in the Era of Digital Applications and Artificial Intelligence.”
ICESCO is represented at the forum, held at the Islamic University of Selangor in Malaysia from 21 to 24 July 2025, by Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the Director-General in charge of ICESCO’s external bodies for the Arabic language, who participated in the official launch ceremony for the upgrade of the Islamic University of Selangor from a university college to a multidisciplinary university, under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, along with several ministers and senior officials.
In his address during the forum’s opening session, Dr. Bouraoui outlined ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations for teaching the Arabic language to non-Arabic speakers, which emphasize the critical importance of leveraging artificial intelligence and digital transformation to further elevate the status of the Arabic language and enhance learning and teaching programs for both native Arabic speakers and students of other linguistic backgrounds. Dr. Bouraoui also noted that this forum constitutes an integral part of the ICESCO–Hamdan Bin Rashid International Program to Support Arabic in Non-Arabic-Speaking Countries.
The forum brings together ninety-five educational supervisors, policymakers, and select Arabic language instructors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The sessions feature a series of presentations and capacity-building workshops focused on leveraging educational technology and artificial intelligence to enhance Arabic language programs for non-Arabic speakers in their respective countries.
The forum will explore diverse themes, including “Computational Linguistics and Language Teaching,” “Utilizing AI Applications in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers,” and “Interactive E-Learning Platforms and Mobile Applications in Arabic Language Education.”
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the fourth “Youth Knowledge Forum,” organized in Cairo on 20 and 21 July 2025 by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports.
In a key working session titled “Complementarity between governments and international institutions in supporting the knowledge economy,” Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of ICESCO Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, reviewed the main programs and initiatives of the Organization aimed at supporting young people in its Member States, particularly in the areas of knowledge, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Mabrouk also reviewed the main thrusts of the “Youth Knowledge Forum in the Islamic World,” which was recently organized by ICESCO in partnership with MBRF at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. The Forum saw a large youth interaction and intensive intellectual activity.
The ICESCO delegation also included Taqwa Al Ali, in charge of innovation; Fatma El Ghalia Hannani, strategic planning analyst; and Youssef Stelate, application developer in the Digital Transformation Department. The interventions of the delegation members focused on their role in the success of the third edition of the Forum, which was held in Morocco, reviewing their practical experiences and contributions in implementing innovative knowledge empowerment programs for young participants.
ICESCO’s participation in this major regional event reflects its strategic commitment to empowering youth and promoting the knowledge economy in Member States, as part of its vision to create interactive platforms for the younger generation to participate in decision-making and the achievement of sustainable development. It is also part of the Organization’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with regional and international institutions concerned with youth and innovation issues.
The opening session was attended by a number of prominent personalities, including Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, MBRF’s Executive Director; Dr. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Henno, Minister of Culture; Chancellor Mahmoud Fawzi, Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs; Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadiq, President of Cairo University; and Engineer Hani Turki, Director of the UNDP Knowledge Project, in addition to other ministers and senior officials.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that launching the “Be Ready” initiative from the historic land of Egypt reflects a profound vision and a sincere partnership between the state and its youth, between the present and the future. He stressed that this launch confirms that youth are at the heart of Egypt’s national development agenda. Dr. AlMalik also commended the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and his leading role in initiating transformative projects that uplift the nation through its young people.
These statements were part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, delivered via videoconference, on Sunday, 20 July 2025, during ICESCO’s participation in the launch of the intensive training camp for career guidance centre coordinators at Egyptian universities. The camp runs from 20 to 26 July 2025, benefiting over 110 trainees, as part of the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative, which prepares youth for the job market. It falls under the “Alliance and Development” initiative sponsored by President El-Sisi.
In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt, describing it as a “beacon of knowledge and cradle of creativity” and a “shining star in the sky of the world.” Moreover, he praised the efforts of Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt and President of ICESCO’s General Conference, who, alongside a team of top professionals at the ministry, is leading a “progressive and innovative approach” to transform youth energy into productive national capacity through sustainable, high-impact initiatives such as “Be Ready.”
Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of the initiative as a call for every young person to prepare and take the lead in nation-building. He noted that this vision aligns with ICESCO’s strategic orientations, which place youth at the core of its civilizational project and grant them a significant role in shaping action and decision-making. He also highlighted that over 40% of ICESCO’s staff are young professionals—evidence of the Organization’s confidence in their creativity and renewal potential.
Moreover, the ICESCO Director-General shared three key messages for young people. First: investing in oneself, maintaining passion, nurturing the mind, and upholding strong values, as everyone carries an idea worth growing and a talent waiting to be heard. This, he said, calls for boldness to make the impossible achievable. Second: devotion to one’s homeland; Dr. AlMalik urged youth to express their love for their country through learning and contribution, noting that each step in building the nation is a tribute to its dignity and strength. Third: honouring one’s parents, for they are a source of God’s blessing and pleasure.
Following this, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s youth-focused initiatives that reflect its strategic commitment, such as the Young Professionals Programme, which attracted thousands of applicants seeking to build competencies in various fields; the ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors Program, selecting outstanding young people to promote mutual understanding and respect; and the ICESCO Year of Youth, which spanned over a year with impactful activities across Member States. He also cited the launch of the Innovators and Enablers Program, which he said would significantly influence the creative culture of youth in the Islamic world.
Dr. AlMalik concluded with a call to youth in Egypt and across the Islamic world: “Be ready, to be role models, sources of inspiration, the vanguard of change, the hope of Egypt and the Islamic world, and the architects of the future. Prepare to serve our Islamic world with dedication and sacrifice. You are the part of the history being written today, the torch lighting the way, the bridge between what was and what will be.”
It is worth noting that the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in partnership with ICESCO, launched the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative on 28 April 2025, at a high-level ceremony in Cairo attended by ministers and representatives of international organizations. Under the slogan “One Million Qualified Innovators,” this edition aims to equip one million young people with future skills and connect them to the job market. The initiative is implemented in partnership with leading international entities, including the UNDP’s Knowledge Project, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, the International Labour Organization, the Global Innovation Institute, and Egypt’s Education Development Fund under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Regional Office of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Baku organized its first regional workshop under the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Education, Science, and Culture.” The workshop aimed to promote integration among Central Asian and Caucasus countries in ICESCO’s areas of work, operationalize the role of the Office as a regional hub that advances ICESCO’s strategic goals, and support the plans and priorities of Member States in the region.
The workshop, held at ICESCO’s Office in Baku on Friday, 18 July 2025, opened with remarks by Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku, who welcomed the participants and affirmed the Office’s role as a bridge linking countries of the region to the broader Islamic world in the fields of education, science, and culture. Dr. AlSenan noted that the workshop marks a significant step toward strengthening joint action.
Following this, Mr. Farid Jafarov, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered remarks in which he emphasized the importance of ICESCO’s Regional Office, the unwavering support it receives from the Azerbaijani government, and the country’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its role and activities.
For his part, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, expressed the Organization’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Member States in the region through its Regional Office, by implementing projects aligned with their development priorities and responding to the cultural, educational, and scientific challenges they face.
Moreover, Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, underscored the Organization’s interest in the strategic role of its Baku Office and its commitment to supporting it as an effective platform for implementing regional programs.
During the second session of the workshop, delegations from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan presented their national priorities in education, culture, and scientific research. They expressed their interest in expanding collaboration with ICESCO’s Office and developing joint projects for capacity-building and enhanced cultural and scientific exchange. The delegations also presented innovative initiatives and ambitious proposals reflecting a spirit of partnership and openness to new avenues of cooperation.
The workshop concluded with a SWOT analysis session to assess the status of ICESCO’s Regional Office, during which participants reviewed its strengths, opportunities, current challenges, and development proposals. The participants agreed on the importance of continuing such coordination meetings to strengthen regional cooperation and share expertise in priority areas.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) calls on its Member States to submit nominations for the 2025 edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The award aims to raise awareness of the importance of government communication and to promote best professional practices in the field, particularly among youth.
ICESCO’s call for participation reflects its role as a strategic partner in the 2025 edition of the award, which was established in 2012 to recognize and showcase the most impactful communication practices benefiting communities. This initiative forms part of the Organization’s broader efforts to enhance the institutional capacities of its Member States in the field of communication and to support pioneering media initiatives with a developmental focus.
The award comprises several categories, including Awards for Government Agencies, International Organizations, and the Private Sector; Individual Awards; Best Innovators Competition in Smart Communication; Jury Awards; and Partner Awards. It invites a broad spectrum of nominations spanning diverse areas of communication.
The deadline for participation is 24 July 2025, and the award ceremony will be held on 11 September 2025. Interested participants must comply with the following requirements:
1- Create a participant account; 2- Submit the application through the following link; https://gca.sgmb.ae/en/register 3- Attach a video file not exceeding 5 minutes; 4- Attach a Word document outlining the general concept of the initiative, its relevance, overall objective, and explaining strategies, outcomes, and action plans according to each category’s main themes; 5- Limit the document to no more than 1,000 words, using “Simplified Arabic” font size 14 for Arabic documents, and “Times New Roman” font size 14 for English ones; 6- Prepare a brief summary not exceeding 250 words highlighting the main points of the primary document.
For more information on the award, its categories, fields, and nomination criteria, visit the official award website: https://gca.sgmb.ae/en
His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, received a delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) at Baghdad Palace, headed by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, accompanied by Mr. Mohamed Ansari, Expert in the Culture Sector, and in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities.
During the Meeting, held on Tuesday 15 July 2025, discussions focused on ICESCO’s initiatives and programs, particularly those of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts. His Excellency the President of Iraq stressed the importance of caring for calligraphy and historical manuscripts, and the need to expand cooperation between the Center and Iraq. He affirmed that the relevant authorities in Iraq are committed to preserving, maintaining, and restoring manuscripts, as well as publishing, digitizing, and making them accessible to researchers and interested parties, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the society’s cultural content.
For their part, the ICESCO delegation expressed their gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iraq for his warm welcome and generous hospitality, and for his interest in enhancing cultural partnership with ICESCO. They reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness and willingness to strengthen its relations with Iraq in the areas of heritage preservation and valorization, as well as in supporting the foundations of the creative and knowledge-based economy.
The ICESCO delegation’s meeting with President Rashid came as part of an official visit to Baghdad, aimed at discussing the ongoing preparations for the launch of the celebration of Baghdad as a 2026 Culture Capital in the Islamic World, as part of ICESCO’s Program for Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World, launched by the Organization to celebrate cities distinguished by their rich cultural and civilizational heritage.
