Category: Front Page

Monday, May 6, 2024, marked the launch of the International Conference on the Translation of the Meanings of the Holy Qur’an, organized by the Institute of the Holy Quran in Tripoli, Libya, spanning over three days. The Conference was held under the auspices of the Libyan Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, and with scientific guidance from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in the presence of a high-level delegation from the Organization, headed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG).

Held under the theme: “Accurate Translation of the Meanings of the Quran as a Means of Spreading Islam,” the Conference witnessed a high-level attendance of officials, scholars, and distinguished researchers from both Muslim and non-Muslim countries.

The Conference aims to study current translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran, discuss the difficulties associated with these translations and propose appropriate solutions. It also seeks to stimulate research in the field, plan the completion of simplified and reliable translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran into the most widely spoken languages, as well as to standardize translations of the Holy Quran’s meanings.

On its first day, the plenary sessions of the Conference kicked off with the participation of experts from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Nigeria, and Oman, to discuss the Conference’s topics, which include: the rhetorical characteristics of the Quranic text between translation and interpretation, the cultural characteristics of the language of the Holy Quran and the translation of its meanings, the Holy Quran as a factor of influence in translation throughout history, translation theories and their role in studying the Holy Quran, and the academic and research role in translating the meanings of the Holy Quran.

ICESCO’s scientific sponsorship for this international conference comes within the framework of the Organization’s efforts aimed at presenting the true and noble image of our tolerant religion and countering hate speech and violence. Among these efforts is ICESCO’s pioneering initiative “Read it to Understand it,” as a positive response to the despicable campaigns directing offense at the Book of Allah Almighty.

ICESCO’s delegation participating in the conference includes Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, Ambassador Khalid Fatahalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. AHMED Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the General Directorate.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is pleased to announce the results of its contest for the best graphic story script addressing bullying in schools, to be published in a special edition pending the preparation of suitable illustrations. This came as part of the Organization’s initiative to shed light on the seriousness of this phenomenon and its negative effects on students and to discuss the best ways to confront and eliminate it, especially within schools.

The committee in charge of the contest received 19 submissions from six ICESCO Member States, and after evaluation, the jury, comprising experts from various disciplines in psychology and education sciences, selected the story titled: “Arini Btissamatak” (Show Me Your Smile) by Hajar Mahmoud Al-Sawi Ahmad, from the Arab Republic of Egypt, for its adherence to the competition’s criteria in form and content. The winner received $2000 USD in prize money.

The publication of this graphic story by ICESCO, after its illustrations are prepared, aims to raise awareness of bullying in schools and provide assistance to teachers in better understanding children and supporting them in facing the phenomenon, as well as upgrading mechanisms for protecting children in schools and educational environments.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the prestigious Ez-Zitouna University, in Tunisia, delivered a scientific lecture, entitled “Verifying heritage masterpieces: Ad-Dīwān Al-Kabir of Ibn al-Arabi as a model”, which saw the attendance of a large number of professors, researchers and students. The university leaders then paid tribute to Dr. Benarfa for his scientific contributions and on the occasion of receiving the Arab World Heritage Book of the Year Award 2024.

The lecture, organized by the Department of Fundamentals of Religion at the Higher Institute of Islamic Civilization at Ez-Zitouna University, came at the invitation of its president, Dr. Abdellatif Bouazizi, and was presented by Dr. Abdeljalil Salem, who elaborated on the biography of Dr. Benarfa, his scientific achievements and the occasion of honoring him.

The lecture constituted an opportunity to enhance communication and enrich discussion with students and researchers, and share ideas, proposals and experiences in such a way as to contribute to developing the scientific and academic skills of university students given the importance of the topic in enriching scientific research in this field of studies.

Following the lecture, Dr. Benarfa met with Dr. Bouazizi, to discuss aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and Ez-Zitouna University. ICESCO Deputy DG also visited the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts “Beit al-Hikma”, met with its President, Dr. Mahmoud Ben Ramadan, and discussed holding a joint international symposium between ICESCO and the Academy.

The verification of the four-volume Dīwān, of Ibn al-’Arabi, issued by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, won the “2024 Arab World Heritage Book Award” from the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts and ALECSO. ICESCO Deputy DG was honored during the official celebration of the Arab Heritage Day, on April 19, 2024, in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), founded on the 3rd of May 1982, in response to the Islamic world countries’ aspirations for cooperation, solidarity, progress, and prosperity in education, science, and culture. On this occasion, the General Directorate renews its commitment to pursue ICESCO’s civilizational mission and meet the aspirations of its Member States in developing and modernizing education, science, culture, and communication.

Moreover, the General Directorate affirms that it deems of utmost importance fulfilling the missions and goals contained in ICESCO’s Charter, as amended in its 14th General Conference, held in Cairo, in 2021, as well as achieving the objectives of its new vision and strategic orientations aimed at establishing it as an international beacon of civilization and knowledge. The Organization strives to contribute to the sustainable development of the Islamic world countries through foresight, addressing the ever-changing challenges, supporting the creation of knowledge and innovation systems, building the capacities of women and youth to prepare them for the professions of tomorrow and enhancing their leadership skills. ICESCO also aspires to promote the values of coexistence, peace, and civilizational dialogue, preserve and valorize the heritage of the Islamic world, and provide expertise, technical counseling, and institutional support in its areas of competence.
To this end, the new vision of ICESCO adopts the values of solidarity, innovation, transparency, leadership, and coexistence to modernize its organizational structure and working mechanisms, as well as to implement its initiatives, programs, and projects in full coordination with the competent authorities in its Member States and in line with the priorities and needs of each of them, with a focus on vulnerable groups, youth, women, and children.

As a youthful and innovative Organization striving for a better future for its Member States and Muslim communities worldwide, ICESCO remains abreast of the latest developments and challenges in its areas of expertise and continues to explore future opportunities. The Organization affirms the commitment of all its sectors, departments, and specialized centers to open up to and draw from the leading international experiences to enhance its expertise and reflect the true image of Islam, which promotes knowledge-seeking and serving humanity.

The sixth edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, UNESCO, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization, is still ongoing. The Forum, hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1 to 3, 2024, features distinguished participation from the ICESCO delegation, led by the Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik.

During the course of the session titled ” Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity,” Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Civilizational Dialogue, stressed the need to revitalize interfaith dialogue mechanisms, update its discourse, and trust in its importance during a plenary titled ” Confidence building through Interfaith Dialogue.” Moreover, he called for the inclusion of comparative religion topics in curricula to cultivate competent scientific capabilities in interreligious dialogue. Amb. Fathalrahman concluded by outlining ICESCO’s role in supporting dialogue among diverse cultures.

Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Heritage in the Islamic World, provided an overview of the Organization’s efforts in protecting and preserving heritage from climate change, highlighting key initiatives in this regard. He further emphasized the necessity of involving communities in heritage preservation to ensure the continuity of cultural values. Dr. Ndoro underscored ICESCO’s view of cultural heritage as a vital element in community recovery and resilience.

During his participation in a session titled “Safeguarding Our Past and Future: Cultural Heritage in the Face of Climate Change,” Dr. Hisham Al-Askari, Advisor to ICESCO’s DG, addressed the threat posed by climate change to cultural heritage and historical sites. Furthermore, he urged the protection of cultural heritage by enhancing dialogue and international cooperation, noting that innovative solutions from earth system sciences, big data science, and the exchange of best practices can mobilize collective action to protect cultural heritage, ensuring its resilience and accessibility to future generations.

ICESCO held a discussion session titled “Bridging Horizons: Silk Road’s Modern Dynamics and Global Impact,” moderated by Dr. Nazim Samadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Morocco, with the aim of introducing the Silk Road as one of the ancient trade routes, and highlighting its pivotal role in the development of civilization and fostering dialogue among peoples.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the International Scientific Symposium, themed “Andalusia: Traces and Readings,” organized by the Higher Institute of Applied Studies in Humanities and the University of Kairouan, at the Roman archaeological site, in Sbeitla, Tunisia. On Monday, April 29, 2024, Dr. Benarafa delivered ICESCO’s keynote speech during the opening session and presided over the first scientific session.

Dr. Benarafa delivered a lecture on Tuesday, the second and final day of the Symposium, titled “The Andalusian Model and the Civilizational Revival Project,” which tackles the importance of drawing inspiration from the Andalusian model to formulate a project for civilizational revival and peaceful coexistence, by investing in the historical civilizational aspects in architecture, thought, literature, arts, social relations, linguistics, and Islamic sciences.

The lecture also highlighted Andalusia’s pivotal role in human history, pointing out that the Islamic civilization was founded on the principle of civilizational communication internally and externally. This principle was reinforced by the Hajj routes and other civilizational routes, including the Andalusian routes by land and sea, and peoples’ efforts to maintain them. The lecture concludes that evoking these routes is necessary for the future of humanity, serving as a reminder of their role in peace-building and knowledge dissemination by facilitating the sharing of ideas and the transit of persons and goods.

The scientific event, which aims to ramp up interest in Andalusia and its Islamic civilization, saw the participation of prominent researchers from several countries, who presented their scientific papers in three areas, namely the Andalusians’ creativity in architecture, agriculture, traditional industries and foods, arts, sciences, music, Al Muwashahat poems, and literature, as well as the presence of Andalusian culture and heritage in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted, on Monday, April 29, 2024, a cultural lecture themed “Cultural Scene of Women in Yemeni Civilization,” organized by ICESCO in cooperation with the Yemen Embassy in Rabat and the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco. Dr. Amida Sholan, Professor of Archaeology and Ancient Arabic Scripts at Sana’a University delivered a lecture on women’s contributions to shaping the cultural, intellectual, and civilizational scene throughout Yemen’s history.
The Lecture witnessed high-level participation of ambassadors, experts and public figures.

The opening session initiated with the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector, which asserted the historical, cultural, and civilizational richness of Yemen and the distinguished role of women throughout eras, not only in governance and ruling but also in shaping the Yemeni cultural, intellectual, and civilizational landscape.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated ICESCO’s pride in women and their role, noting the Organization’s championing of the rights of women in the fields of education, science, and culture. This commitment is reflected in numerous programs and initiatives implemented in collaboration with Member States, including ICESCO’s supervision of the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project,” which benefited 21,500 girls in Yemen, funded by Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).

For her part, Ms. Rania Shobaki, Chairwoman of the Group, exhibited Dr. Amida Sholan’s distinguished academic career and commended ICESCO’s efforts and hosting of this cultural event as part of the ongoing cooperation and joint event between the two sides to strengthen the presence of women amid growing challenges.

In his speech, H.E. Dr. Ezzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Morocco, said that Yemen cannot be independent and a pioneer unless its women are empowered. He stressed that Yemen is going through critical moments, but its unwavering pillar remains women, creators of stability and peace, who have played a leading role in Yemen’s progress throughout history.

During the Lecture, moderated by H.E. Dr. Ezzedine, Dr. Amida Sholan reviewed the outstanding presence of Yemeni women in their society through various archaeological inscriptions. Dr. Amida highlighted the high status of women, which reflected the high status of social and economic life in Yemen at that era, and demonstrated the empowerment of women and their freedom to manage their property.

The cultural lecture was followed by a discussion session in which Dr. Amida Sholan answered several questions from the audience, which further enriched the discussion.