Category: Front Page

The Culture and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with a delegation from the Cultural Policies Center of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation in the fields of culture and arts education.

During the meeting, held today, Thursday April 25, 2024, at the ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of Culture and Communication Sector at the Organization, presented ICESCO’s vision and programs in the cultural sphere, highlighting ICESCO’s contributions to the attainment of sustainable development goals through the promotion of cultural and creative industries, digital cultural economy, and the utilization of technology to address challenges and offer innovative solutions.

Ms. Paola Leoncini, Director of the Cultural Policies Center at UNESCO, stressed the importance of developing productive cooperation between UNESCO and ICESCO at the regional and international levels to assist member states of both organizations in implementing cultural policies that foster sustainable development, and exchanging experiences and best practices in the field.

Over the next two days, a series of meetings will be held between ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector and the UNESCO delegation. These meetings will focus on fleshing out the details of the cooperation plan between the two organizations, with the goal of leveraging culture as a public good to construct safe and cohesive societies.

The second “MasterClass,” organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and Mohammed V University, in Rabat, kicked off on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The MasterClass, themed “ICESCO Open Education Chair: Towards Equitable Access to Inclusive and Quality Education,” saw the participation of several Moroccan and international experts.

The three-day event, being held in-person and via videoconferencing, at the Faculty of Sciences of Mohammed V University, is held under the rallying call, “Enhancing Scientific Research through Building the Scientific and Educational Capacities of Ph.D. Student, Young Researchers and Professors.” This event, which is part of ICESCO’s efforts to develop scientific research of its Member States in education, educational resources and practices, open science, copyright, authorship and licensing, as well as open data and personal data protection, will benefit all Moroccan universities over the years 2024-2025.

During the opening session, Dr. Mohamed Al-Rakraki, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, praised the fruitful cooperation with ICESCO and its contribution to advancing open educational and digital resources.

For his part, Dr. Khalid Berrada, Acting Director of Higher Education and Pedagogical Development at the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Director of ICESCO’s Open Education Chair, commended the leading role of the Chair in supporting the national strategy to accelerate the transformation of higher education, scientific research and innovation system in Morocco.

Moreover, Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, and Mr. Aziz Al-Hajir, Program Manager at the Sector, have also emphasized the importance of ICESCO’s specialized scientific chairs in education and their role in enabling the universities in the Islamic world and beyond, deepening applied educational research, advocating excellence and innovation through the integration of modern technology and open educational resources, and harnessing artificial intelligence, in accordance with international standards and scientific developments.

The Sector of Science and Environment at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a training workshop on crisis and natural disaster management in Derna, Libya. The workshop was organized in cooperation with the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and Zallaf Libya.

The two-day workshop, which concluded its proceedings on Monday, April 22, 2024, discussed and assessed the current policies relevant to crisis and natural disaster management and put forth improvement suggestions. It also aimed to provide the participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to deal with such conditions, explore and provide innovative and effective solutions to manage and mitigate the impact of natural disasters; foster community engagements and raise individuals’ awareness of their roles in preventing and addressing disasters.

Speaking at the opening session via videoconference, Dr. Adel Smeda, Expert at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, noted that the Organization recognizes the importance of a comprehensive approach in preparing for and recovering from natural disasters and is committed to supporting its Member States’ efforts to build their capacities to mitigate risks and natural disasters.

The Expert added that investing in education and science to build strong and sustainable societies is one of the key principles in ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, a principle which the Organization strives to establish through promoting scientific research and encouraging the use of modern technology to address and recover from environmental risks.

The training workshop benefited a number of workers in the field of disaster and crisis management, local administrations, the Libyan National Authority for Safety, Ambulance and Emergency, the electricity, communications, water and sanitation sectors, environment offices, women’s associations, agriculture and forestry control departments, and a group of public relations and media workers.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published the book “Marrakech from the Perspective of Contemporary Arabic Literature,” as part of the celebration of the ochre city as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic world for 2024, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him. The Book includes the scientific articles presented during the symposium organized on March 7 and 8, 2024, by ICESCO and the House of Poetry in Marrakech, in coordination with the Faculty of Arabic Language, which saw the participation of a host of professors, researchers, and poets with critical interventions, poetry readings, and a Malhoun music concert.

In the book’s preface, Dr. Majdi Bin Haji Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers at ICESCO, explained that the book is divided into two main parts; the first focusing on the works of the opening session of the Symposium, chaired by Mr. Abdelhaq Mifrani, which included three interventions, the first by Dr. Ahmed Kadem on “The Suburbs of Marrakech in the Novel ‘Blad Bellarg’ by Ahmed Louizi,” The second by Dr. Adil abdellatif on “Marrakech in the Tales of the Past,” The third by Dr. Warda Al-Bartaie, on “Marrakech in Narrative Discourse, the Historical Novel by Ahmed Taoufiq, ‘Abu L-‘Abbas’s Neighbors,’ as an example.”

The second part of the book is dedicated to the works of the second session of the Symposium, chaired by Dr. Said Aouadi, with three interventions as well. The first is by Dr. Mohammed Zouhair entitled: “Marrakech in Contemporary Arabic Poetry, a Memory of Exchange and a Space of Sharing,” the second by Dr. Abdelkabir Minaoui under the theme: “Marrakech, Source of Writings,” and the third by Mrs. Touria Iqbal titled “Marrakech, Beacon of Radiance.”

The interventions examined literary and critical approaches regarding the image of Marrakech in contemporary Arabic storytelling and poetry; an image inspired by the rich and diverse material and immaterial heritage of this enchanted city as well as the achievements of its scholars, artists, and creators in various fields of knowledge.

Dr. Abdelilah BenarAfa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the 16th edition of Fez Festival of Sufi Culture and World Spiritualities, organized in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, from 20 to 27 April 2024, themed: “Know Yourself”.

The festival’s program, which features seminars and round tables, includes the participation of many personalities, professors and specialists from several countries, who will address various topics in open discussions. The festival also includes several exhibitions on Arabic calligraphy, photography, poetry and Oud.

The 16th edition of Fez Sufi Culture Festival witnesses the presence of international figures and a large audience, attending concerts and artistic evenings performed by a number of prominent artists from various African countries, including Mauritania, Senegal and Tanzania, in addition to Asian countries such as Pakistan and India, as well as several European countries.

In partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the National Museums Foundation, the Marrakech City Council and the National School of Architecture in Marrakesh, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched its “ICESCO Cultural Week” in Marrakesh, under the theme, “Marrakech: City of Heritage, Art and Culture”. The event is part of the celebration of the Red City as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.

Held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Museum of Intangible Heritage in Jemaa El Fna Square, the opening ceremony saw the participation of a number of senior officials, academics and high-level figures from the fields of thought, culture and art.

At the outset, Mr. Mehdi Qotbi, Director of the National Museums Foundation of the Kingdom of Morocco, stated that the celebration of Marrakech as Culture Capital in the Islamic World emphasizes the city’s uniqueness, ancient heritage, and cultural elements, which have made it one of the key historical cities in the world. Mr. Qotbi also commended the aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, which yielded remarkable outcomes, notably the Intangible Heritage Museum in Marrakech.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, stressed the attention the Organization accords to Marrakech, manifested in its selection as Culture Capital in the Islamic World, to highlight its cultural manifestations, art expressions and tourism potential which has made it an international destination.

The ICESCO official added that the Organization has inscribed a number of Marrakech cultural elements on its Islamic World Heritage Lists, including the Jamaa El Fna Square, Malhun, orange blossom water distillation techniques, and Dakka Merrakshia.

Dr. Weber Ndoro, Director of the Center of Heritage in the Islamic World, stressed the importance of heritage as a major component of human civilization, providing an overview on its elements, development, and role of communities in its promotion and preservation as a legacy for successive generations. Dr. Ndoro also discussed the Organization’s efforts in preserving and promoting the heritage of the Islamic world, casting light on the major projects it implements in cooperation with its Member States.  

Speaking next, Mr. Bilal Chebbi, Dr. Mohamed Aba Ousman and Dr. Idham Muhammad Hanash, experts at ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, gave detailed presentations on the main activities and events of the Cultural Week. They also reviewed the Organization’s programs on museums in Africa and the Islamic world, and highlighted the key features of Marrakech’s architectural heritage, especially Islamic architecture.

Ms. Hanae Jerjou, Governor of Jemaa El Fna in Marrakech and its Museum of Intangible Heritage, gave a presentation on the Museum’s sections and collections, and a tour of its corridors to the audience.

This was followed by the presentation of the book and platform project, “Marrakech, a City of Museums: From History to Cultural Dialogue and Heritage Education”.

Participants in the launch of the ICESCO Cultural Week in Marrakech were introduced to the handmade goods displayed by artisanal shops along the streets and alleys between Jemaa El Fna Square and Dar El Bacha Museum, which the participants visited during their tour. They also took part in a workshop and exhibition organized by ICESCO for young artists in cooperation with the National School of Architecture in Marrakech, moderated by Dr. Sandra Rey, Professor of Art at the University of Rio Grande in Brazil.

The ICESCO Cultural Week features a variety of activities and seminars at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Qadi Ayyad University and the National School of Architecture in Marrakech, aiming to highlight the diversity of the Red City’s heritage, the richness of its culture, and the uniqueness of its Islamic architecture.

International Mother Earth Day, held on the 22nd of April of each year, is observed to foster the shared responsibility of all in protecting the Earth against threats that jeopardize its sustainability and achieve a balance between the economic, social, and environmental needs of present and future generations.

On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) emphasizes the importance of fostering environmental awareness at regional and international levels and the need to shed light on the detrimental health consequences of environmental degradation. Moreover, ICESCO advocates for the active inclusion of youth and women, harnessing their potential to contribute to the protection of our ecosystems.

In line with this commitment, ICESCO has been developing and implementing several programs and workshops to train local communities in its Member States, particularly youth, women, and environmental specialists. These initiatives are geared towards equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to preserve ecological systems, combat climate change, promote environmental citizenship, and address food security and agriculture challenges through innovative technologies.

Furthermore, the Organization convened several training workshops on smart, sustainable, and resilient cities to tackle the challenges of rational use of natural resources, energy, and water and address the issue of increasing waste and the ensuing air pollution. These efforts aim to improve the quality of life on Earth through the adoption of modern technologies. Additionally, ICESCO has launched the Bio-Waste Food Award, which aims to support entrepreneurs and startups in developing innovative technologies to reduce food waste and its negative environmental impacts.