Front Page Archives - Page 2 of 266

In Tunis, ICESCO Launches Future Leaders Qualification Programme for MENA Region

Posted on 20 January 202620 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has launched the programme entitled “Future Leaders Qualification: Developing International Skills for Sustainable Youth Leadership in the Middle East and North Africa,” in partnership with Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, and National Youth Observatory. The programme is implemented as part of the activities of the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd – ICESCO Chair for Intergenerational Human Leadership and Building Future Societies.

Launched on Monday, 19 January 2026, in Tunis, the programme aims to strengthen the skills of young leaders from the MENA region and promote a culture of foresight and strategic planning. It also seeks to develop communication and critical thinking skills to keep pace with technological and socio-economic transformations, and to raise awareness of the ethical use of artificial intelligence through interactive workshops, youth-led dialogue sessions, and experience-sharing activities on mechanisms of innovation and creativity.

Representing ICESCO at the opening session of the launch ceremony, Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to build youth capacities and enhance their skills through various programmes and projects in the fields of entrepreneurship, modern technologies, and innovation. He also underscored the Center’s role in advancing strategic foresight, artificial intelligence, critical thinking, and future skills and professions across Member States.

For his part, Foued Ouni, Director-General of the National Youth Observatory in Tunisia, emphasized the central role of national youth policies and regional initiatives, noting the importance of adopting a culture of foresight as a key component of building the future.

ICESCO Concludes “Language Immersion” Program for Arabic Learners in Southeast Asia

Posted on 19 January 202619 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded the activities of the regional project “Language Immersion for Arabic Learners in Southeast Asia,” which were held in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Malaysia over a period of two months in each country, with the aim of providing a stimulating learning environment that makes learning Arabic an enjoyable experience with cognitive and communicative impact.

The activities, held in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences and in collaboration with MS Asia for Educational Services and Development, concluded with a ceremony on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, attended by a number of high-level officials, experts, and public figures. Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers, represented the Organization.

In his speech, Dr. Majdi emphasized the Organization’s commitment to expanding the presence of the Arabic language globally through quality educational projects, highlighting that language immersion programs are a practical lever for promoting Arabic language teaching and supporting sustainable educational and cultural development goals.

As part of strengthening the capacities of program supervisors, ICESCO organized a training session titled “Preparing Programs and Curricula for Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language” for experts, teachers, and researchers from several countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia.

ICESCO Releases Fifth Issue of Its Cultural Magazine, Featuring Dossiers and Interviews on Intellectual and Literary Issues

Posted on 17 January 202617 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released the fifth issue of its quarterly cultural magazine, published under the supervision of the Organization’s Center for Poetry and Literature. The issue includes a collection of articles, interviews, and studies addressing contemporary intellectual, literary, and cultural issues in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The issue features a main dossier entitled “Women’s Literature: The Crisis of Terminology and the Horizons of Imagination,” comprising a set of articles by a number of critics and specialists. Among them are an article by critic and writer Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim entitled “Feminist Narrative: The Boundaries of the Concept and Its Conditions,” and an article by Saudi writer Dr. Mona Al-Maliki entitled “From the Question of Existence to the Stakes of Writing: On the Problematics of Terminology and the Necessity of the Feminist Question.”

The issue also includes a special interview with Dr. Hussein Abdel-Razzak Al-Jazairy, former Saudi Minister of Health and founder of the first Faculty of Medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1969, who also served as Director of the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean for thirty years. In addition, Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO, offers a reading of the roles of the ICESCO Regional Center in Sharjah in an article entitled “The Sharjah Center: ICESCO’s Radiance on the Shores of the Arabian Gulf.”

The content of the issue extends to topics in language, literature, and cultural history. Among them is an article by researcher Uday Sattam from Syria on the influence of the Arabic language on the poetry of Hafez Shirazi; a study by Dr. Turba bent Ammar from Mauritania entitled “Sufi Literature in the Western Islamic World during the Medieval and Modern Periods: A Reading in Methodology and Style”; and a study by Dr. Adel Aref from Jordan entitled “Artificial Intelligence as an Authoritarian Discourse,” which traces transformations in technological discourse and its intersections with power and meaning, reflecting the diversity of approaches and multiplicity of perspectives within the issue.

ICESCO Holds Training Workshop on Using 3D Printing in Industry in Senegal

Posted on 16 January 202616 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a training workshop titled “Exploring the Role of 3D Printing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, in cooperation with CNC Shape-Dakar and the COMSTECH Committee. The workshop aimed to build the capacities of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs through practical knowledge and applied skills in innovative industries.

Held from 12 to 15 January 2026, both in person and via videoconferencing, the workshop featured theoretical sessions and hands-on training to familiarize participants with mechanisms for designing 3D models, building prototypes, and applying practical uses in various sectors such as mechanical manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and the automotive industry.

Dr. Adel Smeda, Supervisor of the Science and Environment Sector, represented ICESCO at the opening session, emphasizing that the initiative reflects the Organization’s vision and strategy to support and equip youth with the skills needed to lead digital and industrial transformation efforts.

He also highlighted the importance of developing young people’s capacities in modern technology to build inclusive, resilient economies capable of meeting future requirements, as well as raising awareness of the potential of 3D printing to foster innovation, boost local production, promote entrepreneurship, and create job opportunities.

ICESCO and Yemen Discuss Launch of New Educational Programs

Posted on 15 January 202615 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Tariq Salem Al-Abkari, Minister of Education of the Republic of Yemen, on the sidelines of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, held on Wednesday 14 January 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed potential avenues of joint cooperation between ICESCO and Yemen’s Ministry of Education, and reviewed the support and educational programs that the Organization can provide, in light of the positive indicators and the relative stabilization currently witnessed by the Republic of Yemen, and the opportunities this presents for rebuilding its educational system.

The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening institutional coordination and cooperation and launching new educational initiatives that take into account the current situation in Yemen and respond to urgent needs in the areas of basic education, capacity building, and support for educational stability.

In addition, both parties agreed to hold a joint meeting in the coming days with ICESCO and the Yemen Support Fund, along with a number of international and regional institutions willing to provide support and assistance in the fields of education and training, thereby contributing to the unification of efforts and maximizing impact.

In the context of capacity building, it was agreed to send a number of Yemeni administrative personnel working in the Ministry of Education for training at ICESCO, in addition to involving a group of Yemeni young men and women in specialized training programs for specific periods, aimed at qualifying them to contribute to the leadership and management of educational work and the implementation of educational projects and initiatives in Yemen.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated ICESCO’s readiness to provide all possible forms of support to Yemen and to launch new initiatives that contribute to reducing student dropout rates, retraining teachers, and strengthening the resilience of the education system, thereby supporting the launch of a new educational journey based on partnership, human development, and looking to the future.

ICESCO Participates in Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States

Posted on 15 January 202615 January 2026 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, which were held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh Province.

ICESCO was represented at this occasion by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Organization, in the presence of Their Highnesses, Excellencies the Ministers of Education of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, heads of international and regional organizations, and an elite group of experts and specialists in education.

The celebration featured official remarks reviewing the journey of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States from its establishment to the present day. It was noted that the Bureau was founded 50 years ago and entrusted with providing foresight into the future of education in the Gulf States by conducting studies, research, and benchmarking comparisons with educational experiences in advanced countries. These efforts have contributed to the development of educational policies, benefiting the Gulf States and their educational institutions over decades.

The speakers also highlighted the Bureau’s organization of conferences, seminars, and capacity-building programs, in addition to specialized prizes in education-related fields, which have had a tangible impact on advancing educational work in the Gulf region.

The occasion reflected institutional integration and a spirit of fraternity among the Gulf States, as the Ministers of Education, during the discussion session preceding the celebration, reaffirmed the importance of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and their countries’ sustained commitment to supporting it, in recognition of its pivotal role in advancing education and educational development in the region.

ICESCO publishes fourth issue of its Arabic language journal

Posted on 31 December 202531 December 2025 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published the fourth issue of its peer-reviewed scientific journal, ICESCO Arabic Language Journal, which is supervised by the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.

This issue features 10 research papers by experts from Saudi Arabia, Mali, Iraq, Senegal, Yemen, Algeria, Syria, Malaysia, and Türkiye. These papers reflect the journal’s significant scientific presence and diverse perspectives on Arabic issues.

The issue covers a wide range of topics related to recent developments in Arabic linguistics, literature, and education, demonstrating the language’s vitality and resilience and its capacity to generate knowledge through various approaches and interdisciplinary fields. It also contributes to the enhancement of Arabic teaching for non-native speakers and enriches academic dialogue on current issues.

The fourth issue is accessible on the journal’s website via the following link:
https://ijal.icesco.org/index.php/journal
The ICESCO Arabic Language Journal is published twice a year in June and December. It welcomes contributions from specialist researchers and invites them to submit their research for review and publication by registering on the journal’s electronic platform:
https://ijal.icesco.org/index.php/journal/index

ICESCO Holds Panel Discussion on Historical Manuscripts of Kazakhstan

Posted on 29 December 202529 December 2025 by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a panel discussion on the historical manuscripts of Kazakhstan, as part of a series of panel discussions organized by the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts under the title “Islamic Manuscripts in the World”. This comes within the framework of a scientific initiative aimed at surveying the state of Islamic manuscripts worldwide, gaining precise knowledge of each country’s manuscript inventory, discussing ways of preserving, safeguarding, and promoting them, and exploring means of integrating them into contemporary research within the fields of heritage studies and the humanities.

The first session of this series was held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, under the title “Islamic Manuscripts in Kazakhstan: Reality and Aspirations”. It was attended by H.E. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and her country’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, alongside a number of ambassadors accredited in Rabat, Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binebine, Director of the Royal Hassania Library at the Royal Palace in Rabat, as well as researchers and specialists interested in the field of manuscript heritage.

In his opening address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the manuscript represents one of the foundational pillars of the history of human knowledge, as its texts intersect intellectual experience with its cultural context, and, through its transmission across generations, it remains a living record of written consciousness and evidence of the formation and development of civilizational identity.

Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the most recent comprehensive survey of Kazakhstan’s manuscript holdings dates back approximately 35 years, during which more than 5,300 manuscripts preserved in nine institutional libraries were identified. He considered that these data open broad horizons for completing the inventory, re-description, and updating of catalogues.

The Session was moderated by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, who explained that the launch of this series aims to provide a platform bringing together researchers and manuscript-holding institutions, and to enhance cooperation in the fields of inventorying, documentation, preservation, and valorization.

Subsequently, Dr. Ikhtiyar Balturi, Director of the Manuscript Studies Centre at the Central Scientific Library in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashid Mukhitdinov, Associate Professor at the Egyptian University of Islamic Culture “Nur-Mubarak” in Kazakhstan, and Dr. Aydingul Haban, Professor at the Department of the Middle East and South Asia at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, delivered academic presentations highlighting the state of Islamic manuscripts in Kazakhstan.

The speakers also highlighted that the manuscript corpus in Kazakhstan is characterized by linguistic diversity, as it was written in Arabic, Persian, Chagatai, and Turkish, in addition to Old Kazakh, affirming that its study reveals the trajectories of the transmission of Islamic knowledge in Central Asia.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion, a closed meeting was held bringing together experts from ICESCO’s Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts and the delegation of professors from Kazakhstan to explore avenues for future cooperation on Islamic manuscripts and their sciences in Kazakhstan.

ICESCO and King Faisal Prize Explore Prospects for Cooperation

Posted on 26 December 202526 December 2025 by MOHAMED.AQEIL

Dr. Alsebail: ICESCO stands as influential voice representing Islamic world in culture, education, and science

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail, Secretary-General of King Faisal Prize, on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and King Faisal Prize.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its key programs and projects implemented across its Member States, particularly those aimed at promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and intercultural dialogue. He also shed light on a set of programs and reference documents adopted by the Organization to consolidate tolerance and dialogue within its Member States.

For his part, Dr. Alsebail commended ICESCO’s efforts, describing it as an influential voice serving the Islamic world in the fields of culture, education, and science, praising the Organization’s achievements in civilizational communication, foresight and artificial intelligence, media, and Arabic language.

Moreover, within the framework of strengthening their partnership, both sides discussed the organization of seminars and conferences aimed at advancing the noble objectives of ICESCO and King Faisal Prize in building peace and promoting global harmony.

The two parties also explored a proposal to launch an award and organize a film festival in the Islamic world, dedicated to works with significant cultural and educational impact, with a view to showcasing the diversity of Islamic cultures and fostering its civilizational narrative.

At the close of their visit, Dr. Alsebail and his accompanying delegation toured ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector and the library of the Translation and Publishing Center, currently under construction.

The meeting was attended by several sector heads and center directors at ICESCO, along with Mr. Sami Abdullah Almaqlouth, laureate of King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam in 2025, and Mr. Abdulaziz Aldakhil, Director of Media and Information Technology at King Faisal Prize.

ICESCO Receives Replica of Rare Manuscript of the Holy Quran Penned by Calligrapher Ibn al-Bawwab

Posted on 25 December 2025 by Mohamed Anwar

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a replica of a rare manuscript of the Holy Quran penned by Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Hilal ibn Abdulaziz, widely known as Ibn al-Bawwab, from Ms. Ratiba Sefrioui, a retired university professor, in recognition of ICESCO’s pioneering roles in preserving and promoting manuscript heritage in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik commended this initiative, describing it as a commendable step towards the protection of manuscripts of the Islamic world. He affirmed that such initiatives, which encourage the dissemination of knowledge, strengthen ICESCO’s efforts to preserve cultural elements from disappearance and deterioration, and to introduce the heritage of Muslim societies and their cultural, scientific, and civilizational contributions.

For her part, Ms. Sefrioui provided a detailed explanation of the components of the manuscript, which came into her possession from her late brother, Mr. Abdelhay Sefrioui. The manuscript includes an introductory booklet and a translated version of the meanings of some Quran surahs into French. Mrs. Sefrioui praised ICESCO’s role in promoting the civilization of the Islamic world and in raising awareness of the importance of preserving Arab and Islamic identity among future generations.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Amine Debbi.

Ibn al-Bawwab is one of the most prominent calligraphers of the third and fourth Hijri centuries. He developed the principles of the Naskh script and established aesthetic proportions governing the components of each letter. He also wrote 64 copies of the Quran, the most famous of which is the only surviving manuscript among the Qurans he penned. It was written in Baghdad in 391 AH and is preserved at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland, from which the replica donated to the Organization was produced.

User Feedback

Category: Front Page