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The participants of the International Seminar: “Civilizational Insights in the Thought of Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi”, organized by the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ICESCO), commended the choice of this theme to highlight the rich legacy of this great writer and philosopher and his advocacy of the values of dialogue, debate and tolerance, and emphasized the importance of revisiting the civilizational dimensions in Al-Tawhidi’s thought. As several of his works provide a theoretical framework for dialogue between individuals, communities and cultures, his thought can be instrumental today in addressing the root causes of cultural conflict.

The seminar, which was held at the ICESCO headquarters in Rabat and was attended by high-level participants, began on Monday, October 21, 2024, with some verses from the Holy Quran. Then Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, gave a general introduction in which he presented the most remarkable philosophical and critical features of the thought of Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi and his famous works.

In his opening speech, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), affirmed that the celebration by every nation of its great scholars is an obligation dictated by a sense of loyalty, responsibility, and pride, pointing out that Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi deserves this tribute and recognition for what he has done in restoring the thought of nations and civilizations, a thing that has earned him to be at the forefront of those who call for upholding multiculturalism, which confirms the pioneering call of Islamic thought for the rejection of bigotry and racism.

He then reviewed the most prominent thoughts and sayings of Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi, who founded wise convictions based on his belief that man is the problem and the solution at the same time. Dr. AlMalik also pointed out that al-Tawhidi called for the avoidance of comparing nations in incomparable things and established the concept of adapting to the environment, drawing attention to the need to make renewal a vital method.

Praising al-Tawhidi’s book “Enjoyment and Sociability” for its emphasis on human partnership in building civilization and for being a reference for all advocates of dialogue among cultures and civilizations, ICESCO Director General concluded his speech by saying that the Organization’s celebration of al-Tawhidi is part of its commitment to linking the past with the future in such a way as to avoid fanatical attachment to the past and embracing the future to the detriment of inherited foundations and legacies.

The first session of the seminar, moderated by Dr. Saber Moulay Ahmed, a Moroccan writer and researcher, featured rich working papers and discussions by a number of researchers from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Italy. The papers all agreed that al-Tawhidi was at the forefront of touching on the relationship with the other, excelled in mixing philosophy and literature, and was a pioneer of modernity. His thought also contributed to understanding the deeper meanings of human differences.

The second session, moderated by Dr. Mohammed Al-Masaoudi, professor at the Faculty of Humanities of the Mohammed V University in Rabat, featured presentations by a number of researchers and academics on the dialogue of civilizations in al-Tawhidi’s thought and the humanistic tendency in his Sufism, as highlighted in his art of debate and his encyclopedic thought, which showed the central place of humanism in his thought, as he focused on the spiritual dimension of the human being in his book “The Divine Signs”.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received the third cohort of young interns from Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) in Saudi Arabia, on Friday (18 October 2024), at the Organization headquarters, in Rabat. The interns spend a 10-week professional training at ICESCO’s departments, sectors and centers, within the framework of cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and the Foundation, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik commended the outstanding cooperation between ICESCO and Misk Foundation, which has provided opportunities for young talents from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to receive professional training at ICESCO, and lauded Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for the Organization through the joint implementation of a number of initiatives, programs and activities, the Kingdom’s hosting and sponsorship of a number of ICESCO’s conferences, and the warm welcome shown to ICESCO delegations to participate in several events in Saudi Arabia.

ICESCO DG stressed that the training provided to Misk Foundation’s interns is part of the modernization of ICESCO and its strategic vision, and the great importance it attaches to building the capacities of youth, enhancing their skills, equipping them for tomorrow’s professions, and learning how to benefit from the technological revolution and modern technologies to achieve their goals.

ICESCO DG also gave several tips to the interns to succeed in their professional lives, emphasizing the need to set their goals, work diligently and perseveringly to achieve these goals, demonstrate steadfastness towards difficulties and crises, always seek knowledge, be creative and innovative, and use modern technologies to bring positive change to their societies.

The meeting saw an open discussion between the ICESCO DG and the young interns about the roles of the Organization, its working mechanisms and ways to benefit from training in its various sectors, departments and centers.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that the current global challenges necessitate rethinking the way to strengthen the human rights system, given the failure to enforce these rights effectively and the recurrent flagrant violations of ratified international laws and treaties, especially during armed conflicts, including war crimes, forced displacement and attacks on civilians, which undermine the international system aimed at protecting human rights.

This statement was made in the video address he delivered on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the opening session of the 10th Glion Human Rights Dialogue, organized by the Ministerial Delegation in charge of Human Rights, the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights and the Global Rights Group, with the support of ICESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Marrakech over two days.

He also highlighted the pivotal role of international cooperation in improving the efficiency of the UN human rights system, stressing the importance of national mechanisms in translating international instruments into tangible reality at the local level in such a way as to transform international commitments to human rights into concrete policies and programs that promote human dignity and protect human rights.

Moreover, ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s initiatives and programs to support the efforts of its Member States in promoting inherent rights, including the right to education, cultural, health and digital rights, developing sustainable environmental policies, ensuring women’s rights, as well as issuing the Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, which includes upholding rights and enriching human values emanating from our noble religion.

Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of ICESCO’s Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, participated in the discussion session on National Implementation, Reporting and Tracking Mechanisms – Key Characteristics, Best Practices and Challenges: Participation/consultation with judicial authorities, civil society, national human rights institutions, UN groups, and local governments.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Koutoub discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two parties in areas of shared interest.

During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his pride in being selected as a member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, a prestigious global institution that brings together distinguished jurists, scholars and thinkers from various fields of Islamic jurisprudence, culture, science, and economics across the Islamic world.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to promoting the civilization of Islam worldwide through a series of initiatives that enrich civilization dialogue. These initiatives included hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO’s headquarters, as well as the “Read it to Understand it” initiative, aimed at countering the desperate attempts disrespecting the Holy Quran, and bringing to light western stances that provide positive views of the Quran.

For his part, Dr. Koutoub commended ICESCO’s roles and its efforts in supporting its Member States across its areas of expertise. He also reiterated his invitation to Dr. AlMalik to attend the 26th Session of the Academy, which will be hosted in Doha, in the State of Qatar next November.

The meeting also discussed proposals for cooperation between ICESCO and IIFA, which was established in 1981 and includes the 57 Member States of the OIC.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy DG, and Dr. Hani Al Balawi, Expert at the Organization’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Republic of Azerbaijan, who visited ICESCO headquarters on Monday, October 14, 2024, accompanied by Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Amb. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, stressing that her visit reaffirms the special partnership relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the fields of education, science and culture. The Director-General also commended the sustained support for ICESCO’s initiatives, programs and projects extended by H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan’s First Lady, First Vice-President of the Republic, ICESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that these special cooperation relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan are reflected in the projects and activities being implemented to promote joint action in the Organization’s areas of competence, particularly those implemented as part of the celebration of Shusha as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024.

The DG also highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, stating that these new instruments adopt openness, strategic foresight and support for the Member States to address future challenges, through capitalizing on modern technology and AI applications, promoting innovation, and building the capacities and developing the skills of women and youth to keep up with the demands of the professions of the future.

For her part, Ms. Aliyeva commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts to support its Member States in its areas of competence, and conveyed Azerbaijan’s great appreciation for the Organization’s work, stressing the Foundation’s keenness to promote cooperation with ICESCO.

Following the meeting, the two parties signed an agreement providing for the Foundation’s sponsorship of ICESCO’s project, “Educational and Social Support for Internally Displaced and Girls and Boarders in Burkina Faso”. The Director-General then took Ms. Aliyeva and her accompanying delegation on a tour to the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO.