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The third session of the International Symposium on Space Sciences and the Training Workshop on Designing Educational Satellites (CANSAT), held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Istanbul Technical University, kicked off on Monday, July 31, 2023, in the Republic of Türkiye, under the theme “Building the Global Workforce for the Future,” in the presence of a high-level group of officials, astronauts and international experts in the field of space sciences, and with the participation of university students and researchers from 27 ICESCO Member States.

The opening session began with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), who expressed his happiness at the large attending audience, which highlights the commitment of the Organization and its Member States to contribute to the development of areas of knowledge, innovation and cooperation in exploring space science.

Besides, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO seeks to strengthen youth capacities through initiatives and programmes, most notably the proclamation of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

ICESCO DG also noted that the Organization seeks through cooperation with leading universities to promote scientific and technological progress in its Member States and raise awareness of the need to sponsor and advance the field of space science, adding that the Organization aims to enrich scientific knowledge and facilitate the prosperity of young people to become future leaders in space science.

For his part, Dr. İsmail Koyuncu, President of Istanbul Technical University, during his address delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ali Deniz, Vice-President of the University, highlighted the efforts made to develop space science, technology and industry by supporting scientific laboratories and entrepreneurship in the field of space science aimed at contributing to the development of the leading technological innovations in Türkiye.

In her address, Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, reviewed a number of the most important discoveries and inventions that transformed the history of humanity throughout the ages, highlighting that it is difficult to prevent man from accessing knowledge, including space exploration, which turned from a race into a journey and a march towards sustainable development.

Dr. Zahit Mecitoglu, Dean of the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Istanbul Technical University, welcomed the participants and stressed the University’s willingness to enhance cooperation with ICESCO Member States.

The first session touched on developing the capacities of the next generation in space science while the second session tackled manpower development in the field of space science applications. The third session discussed the relationship between space science and the goals of sustainable development in addition to a discussion session with a group of astronauts.

Afterward, the six-day workshop kicked off in Istanbul and Aksaray, aimed at training university students and researchers on designing and manufacturing an educational satellite (CANSAT) and learning its various applications and the importance of space science and its applications to building a better future for all.

On Saturday July 29, 2023, the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the closing ceremony of the 15th session of the International Festival for Children of Peace, organized by the Bouregreg Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco and a number of national institutions, under the honorary presidency of HRH Princess Lalla Meryem. The closing ceremony saw the participation of more than 400 children from 26 countries, with the aim of establishing a culture of peace and coexistence among the children of the world.

The closing ceremony saw high-level attendance, including Dr. Rana Tanweer Hussain, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a number of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, and a host of representatives of international organizations in the Kingdom of Morocco and institutions participating in organizing the Festival.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), called for according due attention to children, as they are our greatest hope for the future. He also called on parents to urge their children to seek knowledge, and live by the noble Islamic values of honesty, righteousness, generosity, and compassion for the poor and the needy.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the best way to celebrate peace is to harness the power of children to enhance our humanity, as their pure souls and gentle hearts manifest the highest expressions of human fraternity.

He stressed that ICESCO seeks to anchor the values of peace, social cohesion, civilizational dialogue and creativity to build peaceful societies and a safe and secure environment, where children are protected and guaranteed a prosperous future.

Afterwards, ICESCO DG received the shield of the Bouregreg Association from Mr. Abderrahmane Rouijel, Director of the Children of Peace Festival, in appreciation of his contribution to spreading the culture of peace. He also exchanged gifts and souvenirs with representatives of the delegations participating in the ceremony, with the participation of the Pakistani Minister of Education and the ambassadors present.

The ceremony kicked off with a musical performance by the Children of Afnan al-Qanun Group from the city of Salé. The Group played several pieces of Arab musical heritage. The next performance was by the child, Lina Amour, who delivered the “Peace Call”, which highlights the importance of culture and sports in uniting hearts and strengthening fraternity among countries.

The peace call also highlighted the importance of anchoring diversity and the pursuit of peace, promoting civilizational dialogue and rejecting hatred; sheds lights on the potential and opportunities modern technology applications offer vis-à-vis fostering understanding and bridging gaps among peoples; and stresses the need to ensure the use of artificial intelligence applications in an ethical and responsible manner.

Following that, the art show began, in which children from the delegations of the participating countries presented performances from the artistic, lyrical and musical heritage of their respective countries.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan through several programs and projects in the field of education and youth capacity building.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (July 27, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Hamid Asghar Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as some heads of ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Hussain reaffirmed their keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan and expand their partnership to implement new set of programs and projects.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major current programs and projects of the Organization falling within the framework of its vision and strategic orientations, which give priority to the development of educational systems in its Member States, building youth capacities and developing their skills to keep up with the ongoing global technological developments.

For his part, Dr. Hussain commended ICESCO’s role in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that there are broad areas for developing this bilateral partnership.

The meeting touched on joint programs and projects, some of which are already underway and another to be launched during the next phase, most notably the program for improving water and sanitation services in several rural schools in Pakistan, and updates on and rules for obtaining scholarships offered by Pakistan for the youth from the Islamic world through ICESCO.

The two parties also discussed cooperation in a number of ICESCO programs aimed at enhancing the exchange of experiences between the Muslim countries, including ICESCO Digital Library, and supporting the educational process in some of the neediest Member States.

After the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Hussain on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently hosted by ICESCO headquarters, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana” signed a cooperation agreement for the implementation of a set of joint programs and activities for strengthening scientific and religious dialogue, and promoting the culture of peace, coexistence and mutual respect.

The agreement was signed on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, on the sidelines of the International Seminar “Germany and the Islamic World: Understanding and Development,” in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, and Mr. Rober Dölger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The agreement was signed by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahmane, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Director General of the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana.”

Under the terms of the agreement, ICESCO and the Mwatana Institute will co-organize a series of symposia, conferences and workshops, and support and conduct scientific research to consolidate the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue. It also provides for the organization of visits by heads of state and government.

The high-level officials and international specialized experts participating in the international seminar: “Germany and the Islamic World: Understanding and Developing,” held at ICESCO Headquarters, on Thursday (July 27, 2023), stressed the need to support the culture of peace, dialogue and understanding, open up new horizons for understanding and cultural exchange, promote the values of mercy and counter hatred and incitement.

The seminar, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana,” began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, wherein he underscored that the unique relationship between the Islamic world and Germany is worth pondering upon, explored and studied.

Besides, he pointed out that the Arab-Islamic culture has represented for centuries a rich field of study for intellects and researchers, with remarkable scientific impartiality, hailing the approach adopted by German thinkers that resulted in inspiring inferences highlighting the treasures of the Arab-Islamic heritage and paved the way for new methods of serious research in this heritage.

ICESCO Director-General also indicated that the world is currently in dire need of consolidating understanding and finding better ways to express cultural differences far from fanaticism and aggression on sanctities.

In his address, Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation in building a bright future for all, underscoring that this seminar is a unique opportunity to enhance cooperation and mobilize the capacities, expertise and knowledge of our nations.

For his part, Mr. Robert Dölger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Morocco, pointed out that Arab studies on European Orientalism open up new perspectives on the Arab world and help to strengthen understanding and cultural exchange between peoples.

Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Director-General of the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana,” stressed the importance of understanding the concept of citizenship as every citizen is an ambassador of his or her country. He also called for promoting the values of Islamic tolerance and peace in Germany to spread the message of mercy and confront hatred and incitement.

The first working session featured papers examining the relationship between Germany and the Islamic world, with the participation of Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor to ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, and Ms. Rabab Nissabieh, Public Relations Expert at the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.

At the end of the session, the Director General of “Mouatana” Institute presented the ICESCO Director-General with the Institute’s shield and an ancient stone from Berlin Wall. For his part, Dr. AlMalik presented Mr. Al-Yazidi with ICESCO’s shield in recognition of his efforts and contributions in promoting civilizational dialogue.

In the second working session, Dr. Abdulmalik Hibaoui, President of the German-Moroccan Council in Germany and head of the Department of Religious Dialogue at Mouatana Institute, presented an academic analysis of his book “German Orientalism: Study on Emergence, Evolution, and the Research Fields,” recently published by ICESCO, followed by critical interventions from Dr. Hatem El-Jawhari and Dr. Mohammed Massoudi.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Abdel-Wadoud Kharbouch, Director-General of the Moroccan National Agency for the Fight against Illiteracy, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Organization and the Agency, and share experiences with the authorities concerned with the fight against illiteracy in Muslim countries.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (June 22, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of eradicating all forms of illiteracy, which is no longer limited to the lack of reading and writing skills but has taken new forms with the global developments.

ICESCO DG also commended the efforts made by the Agency and the bilateral cooperation, recently demonstrated by the organization of the International Conference on Lifelong Learning, and the signing of a framework agreement to collaborate in the implementation of development projects in the field of literacy, and the consolidation of the concept of lifelong learning.

For his part, Dr. Khabrouch welcomed the cooperation between ANLCA and ICESCO and expressed his thanks to the Organization and its Director-General for this partnership.

Discussions also focused on proposals and ideas for innovative programs and projects in the field of literacy, which can be applied in Muslim countries, to address this phenomenon and broaden the concept to include technological, digital, functional literacy, etc.
Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, also attended the meeting.