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Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (ICESCO) Director-General (DG), received on Friday, November 13, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mr. Mao Jun, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of China to Morocco, as well as his accompanying delegation. The two parties discussed the basis for a future partnership between ICESCO and China in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The DG expressed his thanks for the Chinese Embassy’s donation of 10 new computers and 10 printers. Dr. Chen Dongyun, Cultural Advisor at the Embassy, also attended the meeting.

The two parties discussed aspects of future cooperation, including ICESCO’s participation in the Chinese initiative to relaunch the Silk Road, scholarship opportunities in distinguished Chinese universities for young people from ICESCO’s Member States, and the creation of an ICESCO Chair in one of China’s pioneering universities.

The officials also discussed the training sessions opportunities, as well as China’s assistance, in cooperation with ICESCO, to the countries most in need to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese Chargé d’affaires praised ICESCO’s dynamic performance, which the whole world witnessed during the pandemic. He also stressed his country’s readiness to ensure more cooperation with the Organization.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, expressed his condolences following the passing of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, may Allah rest his soul, at the Embassy of Bahrain in Rabat.

Mr. Bassam Dalhan al-Dosari, Advisor at the Embassy, welcomed Dr. AlMalik. The DG expressed, on ICESCO’s behalf, heartfelt condolences to His Majesty Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, the honorable Royal family, the Bahraini people as well as to the Arab-Islamic Ummah on the sad occasion.

In a message he wrote in the Embassy’s condolence book, ICESCO’s DG reaffirmed that the late Prince was a true statesman who dedicated his entire life to elevate the status of his nation and the support for all joint actions. Dr. AlMalik beseeched Allah to shower him with mercy and make paradise his eternal abode.

The headquarters of the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research saw yesterday, the launch of the “Project on countering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting innovation and the development of entrepreneurship among women and youth.”

The project is part of the cooperation between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, with the support of Al-Waleed Philanthropies.
Before the beginning of the ceremony, Mr. Said Amzazi, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Chairman of the Moroccan Commission, held a special meeting with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO.

During the meeting, both parties reviewed the successful cooperation and partnership programs between ICESCO and Morocco. They also stressed the continuation of joint action to achieve the objectives of the agreed programs. Mr. Jamal Eddine El Aloua, Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission, and Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO DG, also attended the meeting.

During the ceremony, Mr. Amzazi gave an address wherein he expressed his satisfaction with the project, marked by effective governance and based on a participatory approach and defining responsibilities through the creation of national coordination and follow-up unit to be headed by the Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission.

Mr. Amzazi also thanked ICESCO and its DG for the Organization’s services to the Member States based on forward-looking vision. He commended the efforts of the Moroccan Commission in keeping up with ICESCO’s projects and making progress within the framework of the strategic partnership to ensure the success of all projects.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik praised the great interest shown by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made Morocco an example to follow in the implemented measures to deal with the negative repercussions of this pandemic.

The DG also expressed his thanks and gratitude to ICESCO’s permanent partner, Al-Waleed Philanthropies Foundation, whose Board of Directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, for its generous donation and support to ICESCO’s humanitarian and social initiatives to assist 10 African countries, including Morocco. The project falls within the partnership.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that under the new vision, the Organization has greatly supported the Member States through numerous initiatives to provide preventive, educational, and medical equipment and materials based on the needs of each country.

Ms. Maryam Ait Mahoucht, from the Moroccan National Commission, and Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of the Human and Social Sciences Sector at ICESCO, gave an explanation on the phases and details of the project as well as its implementation plan.

At the close of the ceremony, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation phases of the project, which aims at developing the sense of entrepreneurship among women and youth in Morocco and supporting the private sector, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

As part of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) initiatives to publicize great thinkers and intellectuals in the history and present of the Islamic world, the Organization held an international webinar under the theme: “Tolerance, Foresight and Iqbal.” The goal is also to benefit from the scholars’ perceptions and creativity to advance the reality of the Islamic world, promote its societies, and build the future.

ICESCO’s Strategic Foresight Center held the webinar to commemorate the birth of the illustrious intellect, as one of the most important philosophical, poetic, and literary figures in the history of the Islamic world.

At the opening session of the webinar, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), called on the Islamic world to renew and enlighten minds and promote the values to revive the glories of the Ummah. The DG particularly focused on the thought, action, peace and tolerance, and active engagement in progress and development.

The glory can also be achieved through rejecting all forms of violence, extremism, and intellectual momentum that have nothing to do with the Islamic religion and the Message of the Honorable Prophet (PBUH), the DG continued.

At the close of his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the webinar will not be the last of its kind to revive and disseminate the peaceful messages contained in the noble Islamic religion, a religion known for its tolerance and noble moral values. He also stressed learning from the contribution of the Ummah’s historical and contemporary scholars and thinkers to human civilization.

In her address, Ms. Nasira Iqbal, a lawyer and daughter-in-law of the late scholar Muhammad Iqbal, said that the message of peace was clear in the teachings of Muhammad Iqbal and that his poetry constitute an invitation for tolerance and equality. She added that Iqbal believed that everyone plays a role in the international community and that the ideal state is one that respects the faith and beliefs of its different citizens.

Mr. Hamid Asghar Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Morocco, indicated in his presentation the importance of history and foresight. He stressed on the role of education in the advancement of peoples and of tolerance achieving respect for culture.

Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Kazi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Philippines, explained that tolerance does not mean abandoning social values, but rather not persisting in imposing certain practices on others. He continued that Muhammad Iqbal is among the poets who promoted the value of tolerance in Pakistan.

The first session of the event discussed “Aspects of peace and tolerance in the writings of Muhammad Iqbal.” Mr. Abdul Raouf, a Pakistani journalist and analyst, said that Muhammad Iqbal was an outstanding Muslim figure and, through his philosophy, called for tolerance and unity among all Muslims, as well as knowledge and innovation.

Mr. Asadullah Khan, writer and journalist, said that Muhammad Iqbal was seeking a vision of the future for all humanity that is not limited to any specific region, as well as supporting democracy and the right of peoples to independence.

The second session focused on “Muhammad Iqbal’s Forward-looking Vision,” which featured Dr. Aziz Ali Najam, former Vice-Chancellor of Karakoram International University in Pakistan. Dr. Najam stated that Muhammad Iqbal was aware that critical thinking is needed to limit the influence of the material world and that poetry was only a method to keep the Ummah united.

Philosopher Abdul Nour Bidar stressed the need to teach the thought and writings of Muhammad Iqbal to current and future younger generations, and to encourage scholars to deepen his thought.

Mr. Mohammed Thami Elharrak, a scholar specialized in Islam and Sufism, stressed the urgent need for a religious revival to develop Islamic thought.

In his address, Mr. Sulaiman Bashir Dayyan, philosopher and specialist in Islamic philosophy, said that divided communities rejecting the Other need to know and be inspired by the principles of Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy, which are deep-rooted in the Holy Quran.

Dr. Kaïs Hammami, Director of the Center for Strategic Foresight, said that ICESCO is in the process of producing a book on the thought and philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal, under the title “Relation with Time in the Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal.” He also stated that the Organization will hold a symposium in 2021 to discuss the Scholar’s ideas and prospective vision.