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Drawing on its deep commitment to solidarity with its Member States and its role in promoting human values, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) expresses its unwavering support for the State of Qatar in the wake of the treacherous attack on its territory perpetrated by the Israeli enemy, and prays to God Almighty to protect the country from plots and evil.

ICESCO welcomes the measures taken by the Qatari government in response to this aggression and reiterates its call for solidarity among the countries of the Islamic world at this historic moment. Cooperation between forces committed to justice and peace is required to preserve international security, enable development, and promote the values of human solidarity.

Finally, ICESCO once again extends its condolences to the Qatari government and prays to Almighty God to grant peace and understanding to our countries.

Communication in times of crisis and its adaptation to national plans: areas of focus for the ICESCO delegation at the forum

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (United Arab Emirates), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The event was held at the Sharjah Expo Center under the theme “Communicating for a Better Quality of Life” and concluded its activities on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

On the second day of the Forum, Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director General, Supervisor of the Strategy and Organizational Excellence Sector, spoke at a session titled “Government Communication for Sustainable Lifestyles.” She emphasized that adapting government communication to national sustainable development plans has become essential to ensuring policy coherence, strengthening trust between institutions and communities, and building more resilient systems capable of meeting future aspirations.

During this session, which brought together government communications officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, various successful national experiences in this field were reviewed. These experiences have contributed to achieving objectives with a success rate of around 40%, compared to the success rate of around 20% achieved through traditional approaches.

Ms. Sally Mabrouk also pointed out that, through its international partnerships, ICESCO is working to enable Member States to establish a government communications system based on trust, transparency, and community participation. The aim is to transform national plans into concrete development practices.

The session also welcomed Dr. Zaid Nawaiseh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communication of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who discussed government communication tools aimed at promoting active citizenship and engaging society in sustainability issues.

Mr. Abdulrahman Majrashi, Director of the Government Communication Centre and spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Information, emphasized the importance of collaboration between government communication and soft social forces, using social influencers as an example.

Finally, Ahlam Al Feel, Director of Corporate Communication and Chief Happiness and Positivity Officer, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, UAE, made a presentation on ethical frameworks in government discourse on sustainability.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is participating in the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), held at the Sharjah Expo Centre, on 10-11 September 2025.

The Forum is organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah. This year’s event brings together 237 speakers from around the world.

ICESCO’s delegation includes Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of Media and Communication Sector; Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Director-General’s Office, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; and Ms. Mina Elfaiz, Governance, Compliance and Risk Management Officer at the Sector.

On the Forum’s first day, Mr. Osama Heikal participated in a panel discussion titled “Quality of Life and Government Communication at the Heart of Crises.” In his address, he stated that the right to accurate and reliable information during a crisis is not a luxury but a fundamental human right and a true measure of institutional maturity.

Mr. Heikal explained that misinformation has become a pollutant threatening public life and social trust. He noted that effective, rapid, and transparent government communication is the first line of defense against information pollution, asserting that “Quality of life begins with quality of information.”

He reviewed several global crises, highlighting their impact on ICESCO Member States and commending successful national experiences in crisis response. These successes, he noted, were achieved through transparent and accurate government discourse that leverages the latest technologies. Mr. Heikal also stressed the importance of a media narrative that elucidates policy decisions by transforming them into humanitarian messages, ensuring fairness and involving citizens in the decision-making process.

Furthermore, the Head of Media and Communication Sector highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence in helping governments analyze big data to quickly monitor citizens’ needs, measure the impact of official discourse, and adapt strategies accordingly.

The session was moderated by Emirati media professional Youssef Al Hammadi. Other participants included Mr. Khaled El-Balshy, President of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate; Mr. Moataz El Demerdash, Senior Media Professional; Mr. Alaa Alghatrifi, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper; and Mr. Salem Omar Salem, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah.

On Thursday, September 11, Ms. Sally Mabrouk is scheduled to participate in a session entitled “Communicative Governance for Building Sustainable Lifestyles.” She will discuss ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in developing integrated national communication models and its role in establishing ethical benchmarks for institutional communication across the Islamic world.

Held under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life,” the Forum features 51 panel discussions addressing the future of food security, public health, education, the green economy, and sustainability, alongside more than 110 other events.

In a pioneering initiative exemplifying humanitarian solidarity and highlighting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s civilizational role in supporting the Syrian people, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) announce the allocation of 30 scholarships for Syrian students to pursue their undergraduate and graduate studies in various disciplines. The scholarships are allocated as follows: 5 scholarships for doctoral studies, 5 scholarships for master’s degrees, and 20 scholarships for bachelor’s degrees.

ICESCO affirms that this initiative comes in line with the wise vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may Allah preserve them, who attach special priority to supporting sisterly Syria in various fields, foremost of which is empowering its youth through quality education.

Moreover, ICESCO will undertake full coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to ensure the selection of students according to the highest standards of academic excellence and the admission requirements of PMU, through the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Scholarship Program, thereby maximizing the real benefit of these scholarships and ensuring their sustainable impact on capacity building.

On this occasion, ICESCO calls on universities of the Islamic world in particular, and international universities at large, to follow the example of PMU and contribute by offering scholarships to Syrian students, in order to take part in Syria’s reconstruction. This reaffirms that education is the cornerstone for achieving development, peace, and stability.

With this initiative, PMU sets a notable precedent as the first university in the Islamic world to grant Syrian students the opportunity to study abroad.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) won the Global MIKE Award for the best innovative knowledge institution in the Middle East and North Africa for 2025. The Award honors leading institutions that transform knowledge into innovation and sustainable value.

The Global MIKE Award International Committee (GMAIC) stated that ICESCO’s selection reflects the Organization’s exceptional accomplishments in fostering knowledge, cultivating an innovative culture, and advancing education. They also noted that this award highlights ICESCO’s significant role in promoting knowledge within its Member States through various initiatives and activities that support innovation and knowledge in the Islamic world.

ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim AlMalik expressed his great satisfaction with this international Award, noting that it is one of many international awards and accreditations that ICESCO has received in recent years in recognition of its pioneering achievements in promoting innovation and knowledge. He thanked the Organization’s staff for their hard work.

It is worth mentioning that the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the International Institute of Intellectual Property in Macau launched this prestigious Award in 1998. Several renowned institutions from around the world have won this Award, and its jury includes experts in efficient knowledge management and innovative practices.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the Fifth Edition of the Dar Dmana International Forum for Dhikr and Samaa, held in Ouazzane, Kingdom of Morocco, on 28–30 August 2025. The Forum was organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, as part of the celebrations marking the Revolution of the King and the People and Youth Day.

During the intellectual session on “Spiritual Challenges and Stakes in Tomorrow’s World,” Dr. Benarafa delivered a keynote address in which he emphasized the central role of spirituality in addressing today’s global change. He noted that current crises extend beyond the economic and political spheres, striking at the very essence of human existence.

Addressing the spiritual stakes in the age of artificial intelligence, Dr. Benarafa also warned against reducing humans beings to mere data and algorithms, underscoring that true human uniqueness lies in spiritual awareness and contemplative experience, which cannot be programmed or replicated.

The ICESCO official further highlighted the need to advance a humanistic and spiritual civilizational project rooted in universal values and enriched by the Sufi and philosophical traditions, which, he believes, offer a glimpse into the human spirit and restore its compass of meaning.

The 2025 edition, held under the theme, “The Spiritual Question in Tomorrow’s World”, was organized by the Safaa Association for Madih, in cooperation with several partners.

The event featured performances by Moroccan and international Sufi music groups, alongside scholarly and spiritual discussions that brought together leading thinkers, scholars, and cultural figures.

After five days of intensive workshops, lectures, and rich discussions on intercultural dialogue and the promotion of multiculturalism, the Second International Youth Forum for Multiculturalism concluded today, Wednesday, 27 August 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Forum was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, under the theme “Youth as Ambassadors of Peacebuilding in a Multicultural Environment”

It witnessed high-level participation from ministers, officials, and experts in peacebuilding, along with broad youth engagement of around 70 participants from over 50 countries.

The closing session of the Forum opened with an address by Mr. Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, in which he emphasized that the ideas and energy demonstrated by the young participants during the Forum proved their vital role in preserving peace and promoting diversity and mutual respect among nations, cultures, and religions.

He pointed out the importance of forums that aim to strengthen the role of youth in instilling the values of peace in their societies in light of the serious challenges facing the world today, such as the spread of racism and extremism, while also highlighting Azerbaijan’s distinctive model of respecting and supporting multiculturalism.

For his part, Mr. Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, stated that his country’s government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, accords special priority to youth through the implementation of various initiatives and activities for their benefit. He praised the Forum, which offered the participants an opportunity to gain comprehensive insights into Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maryam Gafar-zada, Assistant Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku, affirmed that peace is a fundamental value deeply rooted in our Islamic faith, and that ICESCO’s approach reflects this value through the implementation of purposeful programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening the values of intercultural dialogue and coexistence. Mr. Noufal Abboud, Director of the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation, also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan for its generous hosting of the Forum’s activities.

The Forum, organized in coordination with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku and in cooperation with the African Union’s African Observatory for Migration and the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation, included panel discussions, interactive sessions, and training activities on the role of youth in peacebuilding and understanding, the characteristics of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism, and the role of religion as a mediator in conflict resolution.

On the sidelines of the Forum, a delegation of participants visited the headquarters of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku, where they were given detailed presentations on the office and its role in serving the fields of education, science, and culture in the Organization’s Member States in Central Asia.

On Saturday, 23 August 2025, the Second International Youth Forum on Multiculturalism kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Forum is organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, under the theme «Youth as Ambassadors of Peacebuilding in a Multicultural Environment.»

Around 70 young participants from over 50 countries are taking part, with the aim of promoting the values of multiculturalism, encouraging intercultural dialogue, and strengthening interfaith understanding.

The Forum, organized in coordination with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku and in cooperation with the African Union’s African Migration Observatory and the «Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation,» will run for five days.

It includes discussion panels, interactive sessions, and training activities, during which participants will explore mechanisms and approaches to enhance youth leadership and their engagement in peacebuilding initiatives within their communities and beyond.

It also aims at shaping a generation rooted in the culture of peace and the values of tolerance and coexistence, celebrating and safeguarding cultural heritage diversity, and showcasing reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated historic lands.

During the opening session of the Forum, Mr. Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, stressed that the second edition of the Forum focuses on strengthening the role of youth in achieving peace in their communities and building bridges of dialogue and understanding among cultures, as they are the driving force toward a better future.

For her part, Dr. Dinara Guliyeva, Expert at ICESCO’s Human and Social Sciences Sector, affirmed that empowering youth is achieved through the development of systems of education, culture, science, and creativity, noting that the organization of this Forum falls within the fruitful partnership between ICESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, the interventions of both Dr. Namira Negm, Director of the African Migration Observatory, and Mr. Noufal Abboud, Director of the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation, highlighted the importance of providing an international platform to foster cooperation among youth in various fields, with a view to mobilizing capacities, supporting innovation and creativity, advancing societies, and achieving development.

Following the opening session, the Forum, which was attended by a delegation from the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) of Saudi Arabia, hosted a workshop entitled «Diversity: Youth as a Driving Force for Peace and Understanding.» The workshop addressed the role of cultural diversity in the peacebuilding process and the significance of youth participation in this regard.