Category: Front Page

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in implementing a set of programs and projects in countries of the Islamic World in the fields of education, science, technology and innovation, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and the legal field to strengthen regional cooperation through the transfer of expertise and knowledge exchange.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hamza Hajjar, IsDB President, signed the MoU, on Thursday, August 05, 2021, via videoconference, with the participation of the heads of sector, advisors and directors at ICESCO, as well as Dr. Hayat Sindi, Chief Advisor to the IsDB President on STI, and other IsDB officials.

In his statement at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness with this unprecedented strategic partnership between ICESCO and IsDB. He pointed out that the projects and programs included in the MoU constitute solid foundations for sustainable development and a real renaissance for Muslim countries. “Its implementation will contribute to sustainable development in the educational, scientific, cultural, humanitarian, social and legal fields,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the MoU features great initiatives and innovative visions that would contribute to the achievement of ICESCO’s new vision, and constitute the start of an ambitious, long-term and wide-ranging strategic partnership, stressing that the Organization will ensure its full implementation, in coordination with the competent parties in the Member States and the beneficiaries of its programs and projects.

Dr. Bandar Hajjar stressed that the MoU aims to enhance fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB in the fields of technology, women rehabilitation, and capacity building, adding that cooperation projects and programs will have economic, social, and environmental impact on the ground.

The MoU provides for cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB in launching and implementing STI programs, most notably the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Program, which aims to ensure social and economic rehabilitation of women in Africa and build scientific and technological capabilities of Member States.

In the educational field, the Memorandum seeks to promote cooperation in building the capacity of teachers and rehabilitating their management and planning skills for educational systems resilience to meet challenges, enhance girls’ education and support education in conflict areas. In the field of water, sanitation and hygiene services, the two parties will cooperate in implementing projects aimed at improving Member States’ infrastructure, improving sanitation and hygiene services at schools, and facing water scarcity challenges.

In the legal field, cooperation will touch on publishing a guide on the ethics of artificial intelligence in the Islamic world to indicate the legal framework for the protection of personal data in the uses of artificial intelligence.

On Wednesday, August 4, 2021, the construction works of the model Primary School, affiliated to the Regional Educational Center of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), started in Chad. The project aims at promoting the Arabic language and Islamic culture, ensuring access to quality education for all, achieving gender equality, and supporting the Chadian educational system, which strives to adopt Arabic-French bilingualism.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the 378 m² school, which includes six classrooms, brought together Dr. Ali Mohamed Qamar, Director of ICESCO Educational Center in Chad, several teachers at the Centre, Mr. Abdel Rahim Adam, Project Officer at Qatar Charity Office in Chad, and Mr. Ali Hassan, Director of the contracted construction company.

The Qatar Charity funds the two-month-long construction project. Qatar Charity also finances other projects for the benefit of ICESCO Educational Center in Chad, most notably the construction of an 80 m² mosque, and providing the Center’s headquarters with modern office and electronic equipment.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) officially announced the call for nomination for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management (KSAAEM), as of today, Monday (2 August 2021). The Organization oversees the General Secretariat for the Award, under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

Nominations for KSAAEM 3rd edition (2021-2022) are open to applicants from within and outside the Islamic world up until the end of December 2021. The Award, with its various categories, aims to consolidate the broad concept of environmental management, increase interest in the concept of sustainable development and highlight outstanding global efforts and successful practices in the field. The Award also helps encourage international environmental joint action, raises environmental awareness, and prompts civil society to protect the environment for future generations.

The 3rd edition of the Award features four categories. The Jury will then select three winners for each category. The total value of the Award amounts to USD 195,000 which will be awarded to the winners of the first three categories:

1- Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices;
2- Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs in the Member States;
3- Women’s Leading activities in environmental work, a category which was added in this edition in line with ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women. Three awards will be dedicated to women in the main areas of environmental management, namely:

• Women Award for Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices;
• Women Award for Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs;
• Women Award for Leadership in Private and Public Sectors.

Concerning the fourth category of the Award (Environmentally Friendly and Green Cities category), the best three environmentally friendly cities in the Islamic world will receive an honorary award as stated on the Guidance Document on Green Cities and their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the Seventh Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World and as part of ICESCO Programme for “The Celebration of Islamic Capitals of the Environment and Sustainable Development.”

The opening session of the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, due to be held in Jeddah in 2022, will feature the KSAAEM award ceremony.

To apply or for more information on the Award, its categories and application requirements, please visit the Award’s website (www.ksaaem.org). Applicants will then be redirected to the online application platform.
For further information, please contact ICESCO Submission Reception Division at info@kasaaem.org // superchair@ksaaem.org

The Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, which reports to the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Islamic University in Uganda. The Meeting was held both face-to-face at the University’s headquarters in Kampala and via videoconference, today 29 July 2021. Dr.  Faisal Abdul-Aziz Al-Zamel, Council President, chaired the Meeting, which brought together Ambassador Dr. Askar Mussinov, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology, representing the OIC Secretary-General; and Mr. Isaac Sebulime, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda in Riyadh, in addition to representatives of several organizations and institutions members in the Council. 

Dr. Omar Halli, FUIW Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General (DG), represented ICESCO DG and FUIW Secretary-General, in the Meeting.

The Council Meeting adopted the Audit Report for the Academic Year 2019-2020 and the Report on the University’s Financial Situation as of July 2021. The Council also adopted reports of sector-specific committees on the various aspect of university management.

At the close of the meeting, the Council adopted the Draft New University Budget for 2021-2022.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has announced the winners of the “ICESCO Virtual Prize for Calligraphy, Patterns and Miniatures,” which are divided into four different categories (classical calligraphy, lettering, patterns and miniatures).  The Organization also paid tribute to a female artist, as part of the celebration of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021. The selection of the winner’s list was based upon the specialized jury’s assessment of the participating artworks in the contest.

Mr. Mustapha Flouh, from Morocco, won the Arabic calligraphy Prize (Classical) and Mr. Tayeb el Aidi, from Algeria, received the Arabic calligraphy Prize (Lettering). The Patterns Prize was awarded to Mr. Mohammed Yunis, from Afghanistan, while Mr. Naser Marhab from Yemen received the Miniatures Prize. Each winner will receive the USD 2500 contest prize and the winning works will be exhibited at ICESCO gallery.

Lebanese Calligrapher, Rania Baayoun, received an honorary award from the jury, after careful assessment of the works participating in the contest.

The jury had held a series of meetings and discussions to select the winning works among wide participation spanning artists from almost all the ICESCO Member States. Works that did not meet the criteria were eliminated. The jury included the following members: Mohammed Amzil, Moroccan Artist and Calligrapher; Omar al Jamny, Tunisian Designer and Calligrapher; Ali Dahya, Moroccan Artist and Calligrapher; Hachimi Amour, Algerian Calligrapher and Artist as well as jury coordinator Mohamed Maghraoui, Moroccan Arabic calligraphy Artist.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the Prize as part of the Organization’s “Distance Culture Program” under the framework of “ICESCO’s Digital Home.” Through the Prize, ICESCO extended an invitation to all calligraphers and visual artists to showcase their talents in calligraphy and pattern design using virtual tools and techniques to promote talents and creativity in the field and ensure the sustainability of the intangible cultural heritage that all ICESCO Member States share.

The jury tasked with assessing the participating works in ICESCO Virtual Prize for Calligraphy, Patterns, and Miniatures held a series of meetings and discussions to select the winning entries, in line with the criteria set by the jury, in preparation for the official announcement of winners during the last week of July.  The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the Prize, as part of the Organization’s “Distance Culture Program,” which falls within the framework of “ICESCO’s Digital Home.”

The Jury first eliminated several works that do not meet the criteria, to then assess those meeting the requirements in terms of quality, concept, production and execution.

Through the Prize, ICESCO extended an invitation to all calligraphers and visual artists to show their talents in calligraphy and pattern design using virtual tools and techniques. The aim is to promote talents and creativity in the field and ensure the sustainability of the intangible cultural heritage that all ICESCO Member States share.

Launched on November 23, 2020, as part of the celebration of Islamic Art Week, the contest witnessed wide participation spanning artists of all ages from almost all ICESCO Member States. The participating works focused on either calligraphy or patterns—sometimes on both.

The Jury will select 12 works to be exhibited at ICESCO Gallery. Four of these works will each win the USD 2500 contest prize in their different categories, namely classical calligraphy, lettering, patterns, and miniatures. ICESCO will also pay tribute to one of the female artists taking part in the contest, as part of the celebration of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the regional forum held by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States in Beirut, Lebanon, on the Youth Employment Project (YEP) in the Mediterranean, in the presence of representatives of the countries targeted by the project, partners concerned with technical and vocational education and training, and local and international specialized organizations.

Mr. Aziz El-Hajir, Director of Programs in the Education Sector, represented ICESCO at the forum, which was held yesterday, Thursday, July 15, 2021, through videoconference. In his intervention, he stressed the importance that ICESCO affixes to its new vision to basic education as a pillar of good quality education through a holistic and integrated approach aimed to build the capacities of young people and develop their sense of innovation and entrepreneurship as the basis for change for a better future.

He reviewed the most important initiatives and projects implemented by ICESCO under its program to support young men and women or as part of the celebration of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021, namely the program of strengthening women leadership in Morocco, and leadership training for peace and security intended to qualify young people for leadership, the launch of the first incubator for youth leaders at the Organization’s headquarters, and the program to train newly literate girls to set up income-generating projects.