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Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Slim Khalbous, Rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat, to discuss potential avenues for enhanced cooperation in areas of common interest.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to deepening cooperation with esteemed universities and research institutions within and beyond the Islamic world. This commitment is reflected in the implementation of joint programs and projects and the establishment of ICESCO Scientific Chairs. Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s belief that academic and research institutions are the best incubators for innovation and creativity and play a pivotal role in developing the skills of young people to face future challenges.

For his part, Dr. Khalbous expressed AUF’s dedication to furthering its partnership with ICESCO, as outlined in the framework cooperation agreement signed between the two organizations in March 2021. This cooperation has led to numerous impactful activities and initiatives over the past three years.

The meeting also examined proposals for future cooperation, particularly in advancing linguistic diversity in scientific research to enrich the field through varied perspectives and methodologies, enhancing networks between member universities in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, affiliated with ICESCO, and AUF’s member universities, as well as launching targeted programs to benefit both institutions’ member universities.
During the meeting, Dr. Khalbous invited Dr. AlMalik to attend the upcoming World Francophone Science Week, set to take place next year in Dakar, Senegal, with participation from representatives of over 1,100 universities. Dr. AlMalik reciprocated with an invitation for AUF to participate in ICESCO’s Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, scheduled for mid-2025.

Also present at the meeting were Dr. Adel Jarboui, DG of the International Academy of Francophone Scientific (AIFS); Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector; Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Omar Althumali, Principal of the Saudi Schools in Rabat, who visited ICESCO headquarters, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, leading a delegation of the Saudi Schools’ staff and pupils.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to support educational institutions in the Islamic world, and highlighted its openness to cooperation to keep up with the rapid global developments, harnessing modern technologies to develop education and equiping learners with the adequate skills for tomorrow’s professions.

He also reviewed the pillars of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, particularly in the field of education and youth capacity-building, as well as the Organization’s initiatives, programs, projects and activities, implemented in cooperation with the competent parties in Member States and donor institutions and bodies.

For his part, the Principal of the Saudi Schools in Rabat commended ICESCO’s remarkable roles, expressing his desire to build cooperation between the two parties in areas of common interest, including the organization of contests and training programs.

The meeting saw the presence of Mr. Faraj AlDhafeeri, activity leader at the Saudi Schools in Rabat.

Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik had a discussion with the pupils of the Saudi Schools in Rabat, who visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO’s headquarters, and listened to their impressions about the explanations and the display of the Prophet’s seerah using the latest technologies, stressing that this exhibition is the fruition of a tripartite strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Muhammadia League of Scholars.

In a enthusiastic, joyful and optimistic graduation ceremony, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) celebrated the first cohort of the Young Professionals Program (2022-2024), at its headquarters, in Rabat, at the close of the first edition of the Program, which was supported and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Graduates from 10 of ICESCO’s Member States received their graduation certificates and shields in the high-level presence of several officials, ambassadors and representatives of international missions accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday (October 29, 2024), kicked off with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the screening of a video documenting the professional journey of the graduates, who received vocational training over 24 months in ICESCO’s specialized sectors, departments and centers.

In his address, Ambassador Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco, said that the program has prepared specialized young professionals qualified to serve the Islamic world in various fields, which is a source of pride for ICESCO in these young people, who will contribute to the efforts geared towards developing their countries and the world at large, noting that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan was keen to meet these young people during his visit to ICESCO headquarters in November 2023.

Afterwards, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, presented the Organization’s shield to Ambassador Samadov in appreciation of Azerbaijan’s support for this program and many of ICESCO’s initiatives, programs and activities at the level of the Islamic world.

In his address, the DG of ICESCO stressed that youth are the pillar of development and progress, their visions are renaissance projects, and their dreams are nations’ future given the enormous human wealth they represent today; pointing out that grasping this fact is the way to own the present and the future. “ICESCO has made great strides in this context. It is now referred to as a young Organization, with youth representing 42% of its work force,” he added.
He also indicated that this program, which was meticulously organized by ICESCO and supported by the generous sponsorship of Azerbaijan, has become a successful example to be followed, with more than 100 training activities organized through the program’s period, addressing several pieces of advice to the young professionals, and concluding his address by announcing the launch of the second edition of ICESCO’s Young Professionals Program.

For her part, Kenza Abourmane, Director of Youth at the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, stressed that the program demonstrates ICESCO’s commitment to building the capacities of young people in its Member States, noting that the Ministry implements several activities and programs in cooperation with the Organization to empower youth and inspire them to be leaders of positive change.

Then, Alaa Mawla Al-Duwaila and Masrané Reoukadji Dior, members of the Young Professionals Program, delivered speeches in which they emphasized their pride in receiving professional training in ICESCO’s sectors, centers and departments, noting that the training has paved their way to professional excellence and success.

Speaking on behalf of the program team, Ms. Rana Ezzeddine, expert at the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department of ICESCO, stressed that the program provided a unique experience for the young professionals and equipped them to build a unique professional future.

At the end of the ceremony, ICESCO DG along with a number of ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco presented the young professionals with the graduation certificates and honorary shields.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a Palestinian delegation from the Popular National Conference of Jerusalem and the Higher Islamic-Christian Authority for Al-Quds and Holy Sites. The meeting included discussions on ICESCO’s prominent efforts to support the development of education, science, and culture in Palestine, as well as specific programs and projects for Al-Quds, particularly in education and heritage preservation.

The Palestinian delegation was led by Mr. Bilal Al-Natsheh, Secretary General of the Popular National Conference of Jerusalem, and Mr. Hatem Muhammad Abdel Qader Eid, Secretary General of the Higher Islamic-Christian Authority for Al-Quds and Holy Sites, along with other officials from both organizations.

During the meeting held on Friday 25 October 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, and attended by Mr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency, Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s support for Palestine, especially Al-Quds, through the implementation of various programs and projects in its specialized fields.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted several initiatives launched by ICESCO to support Palestinian students studying at universities in Morocco and Egypt, offering assistance amid the difficult circumstances faced by their families in Palestine.

The delegation expressed appreciation for ICESCO’s efforts to support Palestine across its areas of expertise, noting that ICESCO consistently leads among international organizations in supporting the Palestinian people.

They also shared hopes that ICESCO would consider adopting several proposals aimed at bolstering resilience among Jerusalem residents in educational and cultural fields and encouraging Islamic nations worldwide to back these initiatives.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized that terrorism and violent extremism represent some of the most dangerous threats to global peace and security, affecting countries and communities across all cultures and religions indiscriminately. He noted that addressing the issue of terrorism requires a global commitment to cooperation, strategic knowledge exchange, and the development of specialized skills that adapt to continuously evolving threats.

This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address today, Friday, October 25, 2024, during the graduation ceremony the 2024 Specialised Counter-Terrorism Investigations Training Programme (STOCTI). The Program was held at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat and organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, in collaboration with Al Akhawayn University in Morocco. The event was attended by senior United Nations officials, ambassadors, and experts in the field. Certificates of graduation were awarded to 22 trainees from seven African countries.

Dr. AlMalik also reviewed ICESCO’s efforts over the years to counter violent extremism through a variety of initiatives, programs, and activities, including the International Conference on Combating Violent Extremism, which ICESCO headquarters hosted in its third edition in November 2023, as well as the launch of the “Encyclopedia on Deconstructing Extremist Discourse” in partnership with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in Morocco. The Publication aims to dismantle the ideological framework that underpins extremist rhetoric, foster values of moderation and tolerance, and bolster community resilience against extremism.

He further highlighted ICESCO’s work in promoting intercultural dialogue and the significant role that educational, religious, and intellectual institutions play in establishing an ethical value system based on a forward-looking scientific approach. Moreover, he warned that the increasing use of communication technologies, especially artificial intelligence applications, by extremist groups facilitates their future recruitment of children.

Dr. AlMalik concluded by reaffirming ICESCO’s continued commitment to combating violent extremism and eradicating radical ideologies at the root. He also commended the efforts of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in Rabat, with the cooperation and support of Moroccan authorities.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Shahabudeen Adam Shah, Ambassador of Malaysia to Morocco, and Dr. Mohd Farid Ravi, President of Selangor Islamic University (UIS). The meeting discussed ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Malaysia in the fields of education, science and culture, and tackled the proposal to establish ICESCO’s center for teaching Arabic language at the University’s headquarters.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (24 October 2024), at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed that the Organization, as part of its new vision and strategic orientations, is open to cooperation with all parties to benefit its Member States and Muslim communities around the world, expressing his aspiration to enhance cooperation with Malaysia.

He also reviewed ICESCO’s programs and projects on building women and youth capacities, promoting the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue, encouraging investment in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and space science, disseminating the foresight culture, and promoting the status of Arabic language globally.

For his part, the Malaysian Ambassador commended ICESCO’s roles in contributing to the advancement of its areas of competence in the Islamic world, and invited Dr. Al-Malik to pay an official visit to Malaysia to meet the country’s senior officials and discuss developing cooperation in areas of common interest; an invitation that ICESCO Director General welcomed and affirmed that he would respond to it at the earliest convenience.

Dr. Ravi expressed his thanks to ICESCO for its continuous cooperation with UIS, reviewing the major areas of cooperation between the two parties, particularly in teaching Arabic language and harnessing the latest digital applications in this field, highlighting the training sessions organized by ICESCO Educational Center in Malaysia, in cooperation with UIS, for the benefit of hundreds of Arabic language teachers.

Moreover, the meeting tackled a number of proposals for future cooperation between ICESCO and the University, including the establishment of ICESCO’s center for teaching Arabic language at the University’s headquarters, and the provision of a number of scholarships by the Organization for Malaysian students in a number of prestigious universities in the Islamic world.

After the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik took Ambassador Adam Shah, Dr. Ravi and the accompanying delegation on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which is currently housed at ICESCO’s headquarters.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, State of the United Arab Emirates, and together they discussed ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Sharjah in areas of common interest.

At the beginning of the meeting, held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reiterated his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, for his sustained support to ICESCO’s efforts as well as to its Regional Office in Sharjah, whose new headquarters will be inaugurated soon to serve as a house of knowledge, thought and culture.

For his part, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi conveyed the greetings of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah to ICESCO DG, stressing that this visit to ICESCO headquarters is made based on His Highness’s directives to ensure the promotion of the Emirate’s cooperation relations with ICESCO through the implementation of a number of initiatives and programs that bring together ICESCO’s vision and Sharjah’s strategy in the fields of education, science and culture.

In addition, the DG highlighted the key axes of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, through which the Organization seeks to become a global beacon of civilizational and knowledge outreach within its areas of competence. He added that ICESCO adopts openness to the Member States to take stock of their priorities and needs to design projects and programs tailored to each country.

Following the bilateral meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Sheikh Al Qasimi attended an extended meeting with ICESCO officials including Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy DG, and several heads of sectors, departments and centers. The ICESCO officials put forth proposals for cooperation programs between ICESCO and Sharjah for the upcoming period.

Afterwards, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi held a series of meetings with heads of ICESCO’s sectors and centers, where he was briefed about each sector and center’s action strategy, major initiatives, programs and activities implemented, and prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and Sharjah regarding some of these initiatives and programs.

At the end of the visit, the Chairman took a tour of the various sections and pavilions of the International Museum and Exhibition of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO, which is the outcome of a trilateral partnership among ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars.