The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has learned with great sadness of the passing of Dr. Abdelhak El Mrini, Historian of the Kingdom of Morocco and former Royal Palace Spokesperson, on Monday evening, 2 June 2025, at the age of 91.
On this sorrowful occasion, ICESCO’s Director-General, leadership, and staff extend their deepest condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, to the family of the deceased, and to the Moroccan people. They beseech Allah Almighty to shower him with mercy and grant him a place in Paradise.
Renowned for his distinguished scholarly and intellectual contributions, Dr. El Mrini was one of the prominent figures in Moroccan thought, history, and literature. He held several high-ranking positions, most notably Director of Royal Palaces, Honors, and Decorations.
Born in 1934 in Rabat, Dr. El Mrini distinguished himself early on in the fields of education and research. He earned several advanced degrees in Morocco and France, including a PhD in Literature. His pioneering works include The Moroccan Army Throughout History, Jihad Poetry in Moroccan Literature, and Introduction to the History of Modern Morocco.
Dr. El Mrini maintained a special relationship with ICESCO, participating in several of its cultural and intellectual events. He was a distinguished guest in ICESCO’s Ramadan series Ramadan Whiffs and Intellectual Sparks in 1443 AH / 2022 AD, where he delivered a lecture titled Highlights about Tea in Morocco. He was also a regular attendee at the ICESCO Cultural Forum, alongside leading intellectuals, underscoring his esteemed status in the Moroccan and Islamic cultural spheres.
May Allah have mercy on the departed. To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 60th Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB), held in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, from May 26 to 30, 2025. The Organization was represented by Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector, and Mr. Omer Hamid, Head of the Strategic Partnerships Division.
On the sidelines of the meetings, the ICESCO delegation held bilateral talks with senior officials from the African Development Bank, including Dr. Hendrina Doroba, Manager of the Education and Skills Development Division, and Mr. Joel Molel, Principal Resources Mobilization and Partnerships, RDNG. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two parties, in line with ICESCO’s 2026–2030 Strategy and the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).
These meetings resulted in a preliminary agreement to sign a Letter of Intent in the near future, which would enable ICESCO to act as an executive partner in Member States common to both institutions—particularly those facing challenges due to conflict or institutional fragility. The agreement also includes the immediate launch of several priority projects in the fields of education, water and sanitation, regional capacity building, and skills development.
The two sides also explored the possibility of developing medium- and long-term strategic joint projects to be implemented on the ground, with ICESCO contributing to the financing of selected project components, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and generating tangible impact in Member States.
At the conclusion of the meetings, both parties agreed to establish a procedural pathway for drafting a new cooperation framework, to be presented shortly to the leadership of both institutions for approval and adoption. This step is expected to mark a new phase in the cooperative relationship between ICESCO and the AfDB, in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals across Africa and in Member States.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) celebrated the World Day for Cultural Diversity by holding a virtual meeting of its International Network of Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Literature, and Arts. The event brought together the directors of ten academic chairs based in Paris, Berlin, Porto Alegre, Tunis, Rabat, Dakar, Beirut, and Geneva, along with a select group of academics and intellectuals from around the world.
During the opening session, held on 21 May 2025, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, affirmed that the meeting served as a unique intellectual platform that reinforces the Organization’s international presence and reflects its commitment to promoting cultural diversity and fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples. Dr. Zinelabidine emphasized the central role of culture in building cohesive and safe societies.
The chairs’ directors presented a range of projects and research activities carried out during the year and offered comprehensive assessments of their experiences and intellectual contributions on issues of multiculturalism, thought, heritage, and identity. They also discussed ways to overcome cultural and religious misunderstandings in pursuit of a more peaceful and inclusive future.
The meeting was moderated by Ms. Zineb Bougrine and Mr. Frédéric Jambu, experts from the Culture Sector, alongside Dr. Bouazza Benachir, Professor at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh. They outlined the principles underpinning ICESCO’s vision for strengthening cultural cohesion and coexistence, underscoring the Organization’s growing international stature as a reference in this field.
The event also featured the launch of ICESCO’s new publication, The Critical Dictionary of the Cultural Unthinkable , a five-volume encyclopedic work comprising 60 essays by thinkers and artists from 40 countries. The contributions address global cultural observances celebrated by ICESCO, such as the International Day for the Future, World Philosophy Day, and International Women’s Rights Day.
Discussions focused on heritage preservation, green education, and climate change action
On the sidelines of the International Conference on Glacier Preservation, held in Dushanbe from 29 to 31 May 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of bilateral meetings with Tajikistan’s Minister of Culture, Minister of Education and Science, and Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee, to explore avenues for strengthened cooperation in cultural heritage protection, environmental education, and sustainability.
The first meeting, held with Tajikistan’s Minister of Culture, Ms. Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, discussed ways to further strengthen the existing cooperation in the field of preserving and documenting Tajik heritage. The two parties agreed to implement joint programs and initiatives in the fields of environmental culture, arts and literature, and supporting Tajik traditional industries, in continuation of the recent achievements made by the two parties, including the inscription of about 20 sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists and the holding of several national workshops for workers in the field of heritage preservation.
The ICESCO Director-General also met with Mr. Rakhim Hamro Saidzoda, Tajikistan’s Minister of Education and Science, discussing support for ICESCO’s “Greening Education” initiative, cooperation in teacher training, integration of artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process, and youth skills development to prepare them for tomorrow’s professions through joint programs and projects. Dr. AlMalik appreciated Tajikistan’s efforts aimed at strengthening its educational system and expressed ICESCO’s support for expanding cooperation in the fields of scientific research and innovation.
In the bilateral meeting with Mr. Sheralizoda Bahodur, Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee, the two parties agreed to prepare a document on the protection of glaciers and submit it to the upcoming Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, given that these rivers are located in nine ICESCO Member States and have a direct impact on food and water security. They also stressed the importance of integrating topics related to climate change into school curricula, training teachers and enhancing their competencies, involving youth in environmental issues, and promoting community awareness of climate issues. Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s willingness to support Tajikistan’s environmental goals. Mr. Bahodur commended the Organization’s efforts geared towards confronting climate change in the Islamic world.
The meetings were attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized, on Tuesday, May 26, 2025, a major ceremony on the occasion of the celebration of Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, along with a number of dignitaries, ambassadors, and Ministers of Culture of ICESCO Member States.
The ceremony opened with a field tour of the traditional handicrafts areas in the historical city of Samarkand, where guests were introduced to ancient heritage industries, notably plant-based papermaking, high-end traditional handmade knives, and decorative pottery—all reflecting the authenticity of the city’s crafts.
Following the tour, H.E. Minister Nazarbekov accompanied the visiting delegation to a dinner reception, followed by an art show featuring a host of local artists and musicians. The show included traditional dances performed to the tune of folk music and highlighted the colorful and intricate designs of Samarkand’s traditional garments.
In a special feature, the Uzbek Minister of Culture presented one of his famous songs, a performance received with admiration by the attendees. Prior to assuming his ministerial position, Mr. Nazarbekov was one of the country’s renowned singers.
The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display that lit up the sky of the historic city. The spectacle brought together locals and visitors alike in a celebration aimed at highlighting Samarkand’s civilizational status as a cultural and historical hub throughout history.
The celebration of Samarkand is part of ICESCO’s Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, which aims to promote cities known for their rich cultural and civilizational heritage. It also seeks to enhance these cities’ presence on the global cultural scene by offering a platform for cultural and artistic exchange among peoples and an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Muslim cities in advancing human civilization.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, concluded his visit to Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan, with a tour of the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, which is under construction at the initiative of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and due to be inaugurated soon.
Dr. AlMalik was received by Mr. Shafusil Ziyadov, Director of the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, who took him on a tour of the complex, providing detailed explanations about its various sections and departments, as well as its objectives in preserving the heritage of Imam al-Bukhari and employing the latest technologies in this regard.
Dr. AlMalik commended the Uzbek authorities’ great interest in the unique heritage of Imam al-Bukhari, noting that Imam al-Bukhari played a major role and made great efforts in preserving and authenticating the Prophet’s Hadith and Sunnah.
During his visit, accompanied by Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization, ICESCO Director-General added that the Organization has a research chair at the Imam al-Bukhari Academy and has finalized the arrangements for organizing the international scientific conference “Jami‘ al-Musnad al-Sahih li’l-Imam al-Bukhari,” due to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Constructed in Uzbek architectural style, the Imam al-Bukhari Complex includes a mosque that can accommodate about 10,000 worshippers, a museum, halls to display the original copy of Sahih al-Bukhari, and a collection of books by the most prominent imams of hadith.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the international scientific conference entitled “Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Dismantling Stereotypes”, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 26–27 May 2025. The event brought together more than 200 prominent figures, including leading experts, academics, and decision-makers from around the world.
The conference was marked by significant intellectual momentum, featuring the presentation of over 70 scientific papers that addressed the developments of Islamophobia and its current political, cultural, and social ramifications. It also proposed practical approaches to confronting the phenomenon. The sessions stood out for their diversity in themes and the richness of the discussions, reflecting a growing international awareness of the need to tackle this issue at its conceptual roots.
The conference was officially opened with a speech by H.E. the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, delivered on his behalf by his Assistant for Foreign Affairs. The opening remarks presented a comprehensive strategic vision in approaching the challenges posed by hostility toward Muslims, emphasizing the need to strengthen international cooperation and intensify joint efforts to combat hate speech and counter harmful stereotypes, all with the aim of fostering values of coexistence and mutual understanding among peoples.
ICESCO was represented at this international event by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards. In his address, Ambassador Fathalrahman expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his continuous support of the Organization, stressing that countering Islamophobia requires international coordination and the adoption of awareness initiatives that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries. Meanwhile, Mr. Shili presented a specialized briefing on the legal dimensions of discrimination against Muslims, highlighting mechanisms for addressing it within legislative frameworks grounded in the principles of equity and justice.
The conference concluded with the adoption of a final declaration, recommending the term “anti-Muslim discrimination” as a more precise and fair alternative to the term “Islamophobia”—a direction that ICESCO has been among the first organizations to advocate for, out of a commitment to conceptual clarity and terminological precision in describing this form of hatred and discrimination.
This conference was organized within the framework of a strategic partnership that brought together ICESCO and several major international institutions engaged in interfaith and intercultural dialogue, including the G20 Interfaith Forum, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, and the Muslim Council of Elders, in addition to notable European and Islamic bodies. This collaboration gave the event a global reach and constituted a human message that transcends geographical and religious boundaries.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of bilateral meetings with a host of senior officials of cultural affairs in ICESCO Member States and international heritage institutions, on the sidelines of the launch of the Celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital of the Islamic World.
The bilateral meetings were held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Samarkand, in the presence of a number of ICESCO’s heads of sectors and centers and experts, and explored ways to promote cooperation with the Organization’s partners and Member States.
During the meetings, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to develop these cooperation relations by designing programs and activities that meet the national priorities and needs of these countries and have the desired impact, especially in the field of heritage preservation and promotion.
Dr. AlMalik held the first meeting with Mr. Andrei Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, and Mr. Lenar Khakimzyanov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, and together they discussed the arrangements for celebrating Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026. The two parties also discussed the activity programme to be implemented during the year-long celebration, stressing the importance of capitalizing on the Celebration’s activities and initiatives to highlight the rich and diverse heritage of Kazan and its historical role as a bridge between cultures and civilizations.
During the second meeting, ICESCO Director-General met with Ms. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, where they discussed various strategic initiatives in the field of preserving and promoting cultural heritage in the Islamic world, especially in the Turkic region. The meeting also discussed the possibility of launching a comprehensive scientific project to establish a “methodological guidebook for archaeological restoration experts,” with the aim of standardizing and improving practices in preserving cultural sites in the Member States. The two parties agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding in this context.
The Director-General also met with Mr. Davlat Safarzoda, Deputy Minister of Culture of Tajikistan, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the field of safeguarding cultural heritage, through the development of training programs in the fields of restoration and maintenance of cultural monuments for the benefit of Tajik specialists, as well as cooperation in the translation and reprinting of cultural historical books and manuscripts, with the aim of safeguarding literary heritage.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the fields of education, science, and culture, within the framework of celebrating Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2025.
Dr. AlMalik opened the meeting, held on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, by affirming ICESCO’s commitment to mobilizing all its expertise and capabilities to ensure that the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World reflects its historical stature and longstanding civilizational role. He further emphasized its legacy as a cradle for many leading scholars of the Islamic world throughout various historical eras.
Additionally, Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO has developed an exceptional program featuring the implementation and launch of numerous initiatives and activities aimed at enhancing Samarkand’s cultural capital and promoting its global standing as a cultural destination.
For his part, Mr. Nazarbekov expressed his delight with Samarkand’s selection as part of ICESCO’s Capitals of Culture program, noting that the Ministry will work to ensure the success of the celebration and leverage it to elevate the city’s international profile.
In attendance from ICESCO were Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Calligraphy and Manuscript Center; and Dr. Bilel Chebbi, Expert at the Heritage Center.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Uzbek Ministry of Culture, launched on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, during an international conference held under the theme: Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Expressions in the Islamic World: Calligraphy, Music, Poetry, and Solidarity. The event took place in Samarkand in the presence of several Ministers of Culture from the Islamic world, representatives of relevant international organizations and institutions, the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The celebration began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the screening of a documentary film produced by ICESCO to mark the occasion. In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that Samarkand’s history and rich heritage rightfully earn it the title of City of Scholarly Civilization, as its legacy reflects a synthesis of theoretical and applied sciences. From this city emerged both Sahih al-Bukhari and the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Observatory, as well as the creative legacies of Al-Biruni, Al-Khwarizmi, and Ibn Sina.
Dr. AlMalik praised the new headquarters of the Center of Islamic Civilization, currently under construction in the capital, Tashkent—an initiative led by His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He added that the Uzbek President’s vision to preserve identity and heritage aligns with ICESCO’s strategic orientations, resulting in numerous major initiatives and projects, including the celebration of Samarkand as Capital of Culture, the inscription of 19 cultural properties on ICESCO’s heritage list, and the organization of international conferences highlighting prominent figures of Islamic civilization.
Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s role in protecting human heritage and thanked the Director-General for including Samarkand in the Organization’s Capitals of Culture Program. He also announced the establishment of an ICESCO Chair at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the inauguration of the ICESCO Manuscripts Center in Samarkand.
Mr. Nazarbekov highlighted the importance of the arts, poetry, literature, and music in preserving heritage and defending identity and values, especially in the face of globalization and its negative impacts, affirming that the culture of the Islamic world offers a trusted path to save humanity from these dangers.
In a welcoming address, Mr. Adiz Boboev, Governor of Samarkand, affirmed that the city has always been—and continues to be—a hub of Islamic World thought and a destination for thinkers from around the world. He noted the upcoming reopening of the Imam Bukhari Center after its renovation, which has become an international platform for promoting Islamic world heritage.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. AlMalik presented a commemorative flag documenting the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World to the Uzbek Minister of Culture. This was followed by addresses from the heads of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, the UAE, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as well as the Ministers of Culture from Jordan, Pakistan, and Senegal. They addressed the conference themes and stressed national efforts to preserve tangible and intangible heritage, promote cultural identity, and uphold the values of solidarity and peace.
