Category: Front Page

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an academic lecture on Monday, 22 June 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, as part of its “Global Thinkers at ICESCO” series, titled “Manuscript Terminology in the East and West.” The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binebine, Curator of the Hassania Royal Library in Morocco, in the presence of a number of experts and researchers specializing in manuscripts from the Arab world.

The lecture began with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, wherein he emphasized that manuscript heritage is a significant part of Arab and Islamic civilization, being the most enduring and comprehensive repository of knowledge from previous civilizations, and the richest in subject matter.

He also highlighted the numerous connections between Arabic manuscripts and those written in other languages, noting that Western philologists played a significant early role in studying manuscripts and defining their terminology, alongside valuable Arab contributions that helped shape the lexicon of codicology.

During the lecture, moderated by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center at ICESCO, Dr. Binebine explained that the preparation of the “Dictionary of Arabic Manuscript Terminology: A Codicological Lexicon,” which he co-authored with Dr. Mustapha Toubi, was based on an inductive approach aimed at reviving neglected manuscript terminology. He described manuscripts as one of the key elements of tangible heritage and a living memory preserving the Ummah’s connection to its scientific and cultural past.

The speaker traced the development of manuscript terminology in both Western and Eastern contexts, reviewing scholars’ contributions to advancing manuscript concepts in Arab and non-Arab settings. He noted that the first project to compile a dictionary of manuscript terminology in the Western world dates back to 1953.

Dr. Binebine also addressed Arabic manuscript terminology, highlighting that early scholarly attention to terminology was initially linked to the vocabulary of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Hadith as well as their interpretation. The need for new lexicons only emerged later, as knowledge expanded and Islamic society evolved.

The meeting concluded with scholarly discussions on the importance of unifying manuscript terminology, strengthening codicological studies in the Islamic world, and enhancing cooperation among specialized institutions to preserve, catalogue and restore manuscripts, making them accessible to researchers.

Rabat: 23 June 2026
As part of its International Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the sixth session of its program “Artists of the World, Guests at ICESCO,” under the theme “Art, Music, and Cultural Management,” with the participation of a number of specialists and experts, marking World Music Day, observed annually on 21 June.

The meeting, held on Friday, 19 June 2026, was opened by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, who emphasized the importance of music and the arts in building societies, highlighting ICESCO’s role in promoting cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and dialogue among creators, academics, and professionals working in the cultural field.

Soprano Samira Kadiri, a specialist in Mediterranean musical heritage, delivered a presentation in which she reviewed the richness of historical interactions among Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean musical traditions, noting that music represents a unique space for intercultural dialogue. She also addressed her experience in opera singing, calling for the adoption of creative approaches that combine cultural authenticity with artistic innovation.
For his part, Dr. Fakher Hakima, Director of the Higher Institute of Music of Sousse, Tunisia, focused on the central role of higher artistic education in cultural development, stressing the need to strengthen links between academic institutions, creative sectors, and public policies, so that universities can serve as a genuine driver of cultural and economic development.

Mr. Mahmoud Lemseffer, a Moroccan expert in cultural management, highlighted the importance of music festivals in developing cultural and creative industries, fostering intercultural dialogue, and strengthening openness to the world. He also underlined the need to accord culture a more prominent place within public policies, strengthening mechanisms to support artists, and protecting copyright.

The meeting concluded with remarks by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts at ICESCO, who shed light on the importance of cultural geography in understanding the trajectories of artistic and musical influence and interaction within the Islamic world. He also referred to historical influences originating in Iraq that contributed to shaping musical traditions and enriching Andalusian heritage.

The Directorate General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a celebratory day dedicated to traditional national attire in its Member States, in an initiative reflecting pride in cultural heritage and shared civilizational identity. The event featured a wide variety of traditional garments in a vivid display that showcased the richness and diversity of cultural heritage across the Islamic world and highlighted the historical, symbolic, and aesthetic significance embodied in national dress.

During the celebration, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that this initiative reflects the richness of cultural diversity in the Islamic world and underscores the important place occupied by traditional attire as a component of national identity and a means of expressing the distinctive civilizational characteristics of peoples.

Dr. AlMalik noted that over the past six years, the Organization has worked to attract the largest possible number of qualified professionals from its Member States, and that ICESCO’s staff now represent more than 40 countries from within and beyond the Islamic world, which was visibly reflected in this celebration.

ICESCO has designated Friday of every week as National Dress Day, with the aim of strengthening pride in cultural identity and showcasing the civilizational diversity that characterizes its Member States.

Through such initiatives, ICESCO remains committed to safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage and promoting awareness of its importance in reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride in identity, in line with its mission to support cultural diversity and encourage civilizational dialogue among Member States.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an international online training workshop titled “New Policies for Cultural Professions and Employability” as part of the series “ICESCO: Leadership in New Cultural Policies 2021–2029,” with the participation of over 160 experts, researchers, and representatives of cultural institutions and National Commissions from 22 countries.
Opening the workshop, held on Thursday 11 June 2026, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, stressed that culture has become a key driver of development, innovation, and societal transformation. He emphasized the need to integrate the cultural dimension into the development policies of Member States and to strengthen the position of cultural identity as one of the principal foundations for building balanced and sustainable societies.

For his part, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, who moderated the session, explained that the development of cultural policies remains dependent on the availability of accurate data and specialized studies. He noted that the absence of reliable indicators limits the ability to demonstrate the true contribution of culture to economic, social, and civilizational development.

During the workshop’s keynote presentation, Dr. Rim Jellouli, ICESCO external expert specializing in cultural policies and sustainable development, presented the outcomes and tools of the ICESCO 2025 Strategy on Cultural Professions and Employability. The Strategy is structured around three main pillars: a framework for sustainable and innovative cultural and creative economies, the ICESCO Reference Framework for Cultural Professions and Competencies, and a roadmap toward 2030 aimed at supporting Member States in developing information systems dedicated to cultural employment.

Dr. Jellouli further explained that cultural and creative industries contribute, on average, 3.1% of gross domestic product (GDP), although with significant variation among countries. She also noted that 43% of ICESCO Member States have not yet adopted reliable indicators related to cultural employment, underscoring the need to develop modern measurement tools that support the integration of culture into development planning priorities.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched a new measurement tool aimed at supporting cultural and creative industries in its Member States during a training workshop entitled “ICESCO Index for Cultural and Creative Technologies.” The workshop was held in a hybrid format at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, with over 190 participants from 23 countries, including researchers, experts, representatives of National Commissions, Ministries of Culture, and creative institutions.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, attended by Ms. Raja Youssefi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Tunisia in Rabat, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, stressed that cultural and creative technologies have become a strategic driver of sustainable development and innovation. He emphasized the importance of developing reliable indicators to support the formulation of data-driven cultural policies and noted that the launch of the index forms part of the series “ICESCO: Leadership in New Cultural Policies 2021–2029.”

Subsequently, Ms. Saloua Abdelkhalek, Director-General of the International Tunisian Center for Digital Cultural Economy, delivered a presentation on the Center’s role in supporting innovative initiatives in cultural and creative industries, highlighting the growing impact of digital tools in advancing cultural ecosystems across the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Amine Hammami, artist and international expert in digital creativity and digital culture, presented the structure of the new index, explaining that it is built around 47 indicators distributed across nine pillars: digital innovation, skills, infrastructure, the market, regulatory framework, audience engagement, sustainability, data and artificial intelligence, as well as cooperation and partnerships.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS), held a panel discussion titled: “Employing Artificial Intelligence Tools in Managing Security-Related Media Crises and Their Societal Impact” on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event was organized as part of the scientific forum “The Role of Media Security in Enhancing Societal Security,” with the aim of strengthening media security as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive national and societal security through addressing the challenges of the modern digital environment and promoting integration among the media, security, and technology sectors.

Dr. Barakat Al-Wegyan, Head of the Communication Division at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, reviewed the Organization’s and the Sector’s efforts to enhance media and digital literacy and build the capacities of institutions and individuals through their training programs and specialized initiatives, thereby contributing to the promotion of media security and the fight against misinformation.

He also highlighted the impact of AI on transforming the nature of media crises and the consequent need to develop mechanisms for monitoring, verification, and rapid response in order to curb the spread of disinformation and safeguard public awareness.

Mr. Khalid Alshammari, Director of Strategic Communications and Media at the Pilgrim Experience Program, addressed the role of security media and the use of AI tools in organizing the Hajj season. He emphasized the importance of strategic communication in supporting crowd management, building trust, and delivering media messages that keep pace with field requirements.

For his part, Mr. Hadi Alfakeeh, expert in strategic communication and former leader within the Saudi Vision 2030 ecosystem, explained that successful media crisis management requires integration between technical and communication dimensions. He stressed the importance of preparedness and the development of flexible communication strategies capable of responding to the rapidly evolving digital environment.

The session concluded with an open discussion during which participants’ questions were addressed and views were exchanged on the topics covered by the panel.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the InnoXera International EdTech Summit 2026, organized by Classera under the theme “Education Without Borders: Keeping Learning Through Crisis” as a strategic partner. The summit aimed to explore solutions to the challenges facing education systems during times of crisis, promote the use of artificial intelligence in education, and prepare teachers and students for the schools of the future.

Representing ICESCO at the summit, held virtually on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, was Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector and Director of the Translation and Publishing Center at ICESCO. In his address, he stressed the need to develop flexible education systems capable of responding to emerging challenges, emphasizing the importance of transforming the sector through the adoption of inclusive approaches, the integration of modern technologies, the strengthening of teachers’ capacities, and the promotion of international cooperation and strategic partnerships both within and beyond the Islamic world.

The event brought together officials, experts in education and emerging technologies, and entrepreneurs to discuss ways and mechanisms to ensure the continuity of education during crises and accelerate digital transformation in the sector. Furthermore, the various participants addressed the importance of raising awareness of best practices for enhancing the quality of education and strengthening human capital skills.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a webinar entitled “World Music, Living Heritage, and Intercultural Dialogue: Introducing the International Institute for World Music”, with the participation of more than 40 experts and representatives of international cultural institutions. The event aimed to highlight the role of music in fostering intercultural dialogue, safeguarding living heritage, and opening new horizons for international cultural cooperation.
The webinar, held on Thursday 5 June 2026, as part of the ICESCO International Network of Civil Society Organizations for Culture and Development project, was moderated by Ms. Somia Djacta, Head of the ICESCO Office to UNESCO. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of this initiative in strengthening ties among cultural stakeholders and underscoring the status of musical heritage as a universal language shared by humanity.

In his opening address, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, stressed that world music serves as a bridge of understanding among peoples and an effective tool for promoting a culture of peace that’s rooted in cultural diversity and mutual respect. He noted that openness to diverse artistic expressions constitutes a key driver for enhancing intercultural dialogue.

Subsequently, Ms. Margaret Dechenaux, Founder and Director of the International Institute for World Music, delivered a presentation on the Institute’s experience, explaining that it currently offers 17 certificate training tracks and organizes more than 40 major international masterclasses annually. She also expressed the Institute’s interest in developing joint projects with ICESCO in the fields of training and the promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

For his part, Dr. Hyung Suk Moon, Honorary President of the Institute, highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in bringing peoples closer together. He reviewed a number of international experiences and pointed to promising opportunities for cooperation in the fields of cultural and creative industries and heritage digitization.

Meanwhile, Mr. Frédéric Jambu, Coordinator of the ICESCO International Network of Civil Society Organizations for Culture and Development and an expert in cultural diplomacy, presented the objectives of the international platform, explaining that it seeks to support partnerships, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and implement joint projects among civil society organizations. Mr. Lotfi Ben Salah, President of the Riadh Al-Sunbati Club for Arab Music Association in Tunisia, also highlighted his association’s initiatives aimed at preserving, documenting, and promoting Arab musical heritage.

The webinar concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of cultural openness as a catalyst for mutual enrichment and of the need to continue building effective partnerships among international and local cultural civil society organizations, thereby creating new opportunities for cooperation between ICESCO and the International Institute for World Music.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, organized a regional workshop on “Leveraging Educational Psychology in Teachers’ Professional Development.” The Workshop benefited 186 trainees, both in person and via videoconference, comprising education professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers from 15 countries across Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

During the workshop, which was hosted in the Mishkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters on Wednesday and Thursday, 3-4 June 2026, Dr. Heba Shannik, Expert in educational training, presented and analyzed the theoretical foundations of educational psychology and their contribution to the development of pre-service and in-service teacher preparation programs. She also reviewed the educational and psychological principles that contribute to enhancing the professional competencies of teachers of Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

The Expert also conducted practical sessions during which participants were trained on the application of teaching strategies based on educational psychology principles in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, through the use of digital platforms and artificial intelligence tools in teaching and educational assessment.

It is worth noting that this workshop is the tenth in the “Mishkat Educational Leadership Program” for the academic year 2025-2026, implemented by ICESCO in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, and in academic cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Beni Mellal, Morocco. The Program aims to train hundreds of distinguished professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.