Category: Front Page

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.

The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts paid tribute to Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on the occasion of receiving the Arab World Heritage Book of the Year Award 2024 for his book, “Ad-Diwan Al-Kabir”. The ceremony was held as part of the official celebration of Arabic Manuscripts Day, held under the theme “Our Written Heritage and the Elements of Civilizational Communication”, under the patronage of Dr. Mohamed Ould Ammar, ALECSO DG.

The event brought together a host of high-level guests, notably Mr. Mohamed El Mahdi Ben Said, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, and several diplomats, scholars and cultural figures from the Kingdom of Morocco.

Held on Friday (April 19, 2024), at the National Library in Rabat, the ceremony honored prominent figures and institutions from the countries of Morocco, Palestine, Egypt and Mauritania, for their research and practical efforts in preserving and casting light on the Arab manuscript heritage. The Institute stressed that Dr. Benarfa’s book was able to conduct a conscious investigation into one of the key works of the heritage of the Great Sheikh, which holds great significance in the intellectual heritage of the Arab world and Muslim Ummah.

Following the opening ceremony, ICESCO’s Deputy DG took part in a seminar on “The Elements of Civilizational Communication in Arabic Manuscript Heritage,” where he discussed the highlights of his book, “Ad-Diwan Al-Kabir”.

The seminar was followed by exhibitions on manuscript heritage and the elements of civilizational communication, and the Institute’s scientific publications.

Following three days of rich discussions and a positive exchange of ideas, the International Seminar on the Status of Girls’ Education in the Arab and Islamic World issued a set of recommendations, at the close of its proceedings on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. The recommendations focused on establishing gender equality at all levels of education, training educational staff on gender and equal opportunities, and providing psychological, social and financial support for groups affected by poverty, conflicts and social challenges.

The recommendations of the seminar, held by ICESCO and the Arab Women’s Organization, also included calling for strengthening the role of the media in changing the stereotypical image of women, supporting the efforts of governments in developing plans for gender and social protection issues and developing strategies to reform education to suit the multiple societal roles of women. It also recommended expanding their economic rehabilitation programs, especially in rural communities, ensuring wider participation of women in economic, social and cultural activities, calling on states to review education sector budgets, increasing allocations for the development of digital education, and organizing awareness campaigns and educational programs on the importance of learning.

The second and third days of the symposium included five sessions that presented working papers and discussed girls’ education, changing family perceptions, and devising policies to promote girls’ education, counter gender stereotypes in school curricula, and foster girls’ education in conflict and crisis situations.

Afterwards, Dr. Fadia Kiwan, Director-General (DG) of the Arab Women Organization, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of ICESCO DG, honored Asmaa Benfassi in recognition of her media efforts in defending women and girls’ issues and highlighting their creative and leadership potential.

At the end of the symposium, honorary shields were exchanged between ICESCO and the Arab Women’s Organization. The symposium participants then toured the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO’s headquarters.

Each year on April 21st, the world celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Day to stress the crucial role of creativity and innovation in finding sustainable solutions to economic and social challenges, and in adapting to the rapid global transformations. On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) sheds light on the importance of creativity and innovation in enhancing international efforts to build thriving, knowledge-based, and culturally diverse societies.

In this context, ICESCO calls for the integration of youth and women and the enhancement of their innovative capacities to broaden societal horizons and accelerate their developmental progress, by providing job opportunities and training, and implementing various initiatives and programs in science and technology.

ICESCO has launched an ambitious program to train youth in establishing small projects in technology and innovation, with the goal of promoting entrepreneurship in the Islamic world and contributing to sustainable and comprehensive development. Launched in 2021 across 19 countries, the program has already supported 54 start-up projects. Its ultimate objective is to reach 150 such companies by the end of 2025, while also enhancing the capacities of over 5,000 entrepreneurs.

The Organization has also introduced an award for converting bio-waste into food bars, aiming to support entrepreneurs and start-ups in developing innovative techniques to maximize the utilization of wasted food.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the Sultan, government and people of the Sultanate of Oman on the victims of the heavy rainfalls striking Oman and causing flashfloods and torrential waters.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, extends, on his behalf and that of the entire ICESCO staff, his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and beseeches the Almighty Allah for a speedy recovery for the injured and safety for the missing.

Dr. AlMalik reiterates ICESCO’s full solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman during this tragic disaster, which resulted in the death of several students in a school in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, North Al Sharqiyah Governorate.