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    Category: Front Page

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    ICESCO, Lebanon Discuss Ways to Strengthen Cooperation in Youth Capacity Building and Heritage Protection

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Ambassador Hala Keyrouz, Chargée d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon to the Kingdom of Morocco, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Organization and Lebanon in training and youth capacity building, as well as heritage protection.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to advancing its bilateral partnership with Lebanon, given the country’s rich culture and promising youth who can contribute to building a bright future. He reviewed ICESCO’s success stories in advancing education, science and culture through pioneering initiatives and programs, and highlighted the importance of joint cooperation in developing a professional training program for Lebanese students within the specialized sectors, divisions and centers of the Organization, with a view to strengthening their leadership and creative skills.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik handed Ms. Keyrouz an official invitation for Dr. Fadi Makki, Lebanon’s Minister of State for Administrative Reform, to attend the “Youth Knowledge Forum,” jointly organized by ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme on 7-8 September 2026 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. The Forum aims to support youth and foster creativity and innovation in knowledge transfer, dissemination and localization worldwide.

    For her part, Ambassador Keyrouz commended ICESCO’s contributions in recent years to fostering innovation and mainstreaming the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence across various fields in its Member States, affirming Lebanon’s readiness to cooperate in developing and implementing a number of activities of common interest.

    The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Ambassador of Russian Federation to Morocco

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Igor Belyaev Alekseyevich, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Morocco. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen joint cooperation in youth capacity-building, provide scholarships for students from the Islamic world at Russian universities, and enhance the protection of heritage sites.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the Organization and Russia share a strong partnership based on mutual respect for the specificities of both the countries of the Islamic world and Russia. He highlighted ICESCO’s role in building bridges of communication, coexistence and cultural exchange between its Member States and the rest of the world, given its in-depth knowledge of their needs and priorities in the fields of education, science and culture.

    Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik noted the Organization’s celebration of the city of Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, as the 2026 Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, and Kazan’s hosting of the 15th session of ICESCO General Conference, with the attendance of His Excellency Rais Rustam Minnikhanov.

    Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in building the capacities of youth and women and preparing them for future professions, developing space sciences and their applications, and mainstreaming the use of modern technology in cultural and academic fields, in addition to supporting the protection of heritage sites in danger in the Islamic world.

    For his part, Ambassador Belyaev commended ICESCO’s efforts to develop and implement activities with tangible impact, reaffirming his country’s readiness to cooperate in developing programs and projects in artificial intelligence, exchanging expertise in the areas of civilizational dialogue, and recruiting Russian talents to work at ICESCO.

    During the meeting, the two sides agreed to explore the launch of a joint program to provide scholarships at Russian universities for students from the Islamic world.

    The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the DG’s Office, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, Head of the Science and Environment Sector, and Mr. Murad Aliyev, expert at the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

    ICESCO, KSGAAL Release Translated Reports on the State of Arabic Language Education in Nine Countries Across the Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), has published five reports in English on the state of Arabic language education in Malaysia, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ghana, as well as four reports in French on the state of Arabic language education in Senegal, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

    The reports include detailed data on educational institutions, covering the number of faculty members, learners, curricula, teaching methods, technologies used, and assessment methods, in addition to an analysis of the professional value of graduates. They also identify the most significant challenges facing Arabic language education, proposing practical solutions to develop educational policies and strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders.

    These reports represent a significant step toward building a comprehensive knowledge base on Arabic language education. They also serve as a reference for academic institutions in developing curricula and educational programs, while further strengthening the global standing of the Arabic language as a medium of communication that showcases Arab culture and Arab-Islamic civilization.

    It is worth noting that these reports are part of a series of 30 reports discussed during the International Symposium on the State of Arabic Language Education in the World, which was held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat in February 2025.

    The reports are accessible via the link below:

    https://icesco.org/qe8f

    ICESCO, Sierra Leone Discuss Prospects for Cooperation in Education, Digital Transformation, Youth Capacity Building

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education of the Republic of Sierra Leone, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Organization and the Ministry in developing education, building youth capacities, advancing digital transformation, and supporting institutional innovation in Sierra Leone.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, via videoconference, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO, as part of its strategic vision, seeks to develop initiatives and programs focused on the priorities and specific needs of its Member States. He reviewed the Organization’s contributions to promoting the use of innovation and digital transformation in government institutions and bodies through training programs for ministries in countries of the Islamic world.

    Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s readiness to develop a joint action plan with the Ministry to implement programs and projects in education and youth skills development, in addition to training a number of young talents from Sierra Leone at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat.

    For her part, Dr. Wurie reviewed recent developments in the technical and higher education sector, commending ICESCO’s efforts to support the national objectives of its Member States, particularly in education, and describing the Organization as a strategic partner in education, science, and culture.

    She also affirmed the Ministry’s desire to cooperate with ICESCO in developing a joint program to leverage artificial intelligence and modern technologies in schools, expressing her readiness to take part in the Youth Knowledge Forum, to be held by ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and the United Nations Development Programme next September in Morocco.

    The meeting was attended, from ICESCO, by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Director-General’s Office, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, and Dr. Issam Krimi, Expert at the Science and Environment Sector, and, from the Ministry, by Dr. Mohamed Combo Kamanda, Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO.

    ICESCO Holds Training Session on Islamic Manuscripts With Specialists From 54 Countries

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Tahqiq scientific platform, organized a virtual training session titled “The Islamic Manuscript: From Paleography to Critical Text Editing,” benefiting hundreds of researchers and specialists in Islamic manuscripts from 54 countries.

    In the opening session of the three-day training, which concluded on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, said in a recorded address that serving the Islamic manuscript requires careful and continuous analysis of its components, drawing inspiration from its values and ideals, publishing it through sound scholarly methods, and ensuring its protection and preservation.

    Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of nurturing generations of researchers who are aware of the value of this heritage and equipped with the necessary scholarly tools and methodologies. He also commended the role of ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center in this regard and expressed his satisfaction with the strong interest in the training session, given its important topic.

    The training featured five scientific lectures covering the geography, codicology, paleography, and cataloguing of manuscripts, as well as the fundamentals of critical editing, auxiliary sciences, and supporting technologies. The lectures were delivered, respectively, by Dr. Idham Hanash, Head of ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center; Dr. Ahmed Abdelbaset, expert at the Center; Dr. Mustapha Toubi, Professor of Manuscript Studies at Mohammed V University in Morocco; Dr. Nizam Yaquby, a Bahraini researcher and editor of manuscripts; and Dr. Bashar Awad Marouf, an Iraqi scholar specializing in Islamic heritage studies.

    The closing session witnessed strong engagement from participants. It featured a number of proposals for future training sessions and activities.

    ICESCO Director-General Congratulates Member States on the Inscription of New Sites on the World Heritage List

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulated the Organization’s Member States on the inscription of nine new sites of Outstanding Universal Value on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, Republic of Korea, which concluded on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.

    Dr. AlMalik extended his sincere congratulations to the Union of the Comoros on the inscription of its first World Heritage site, and to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on the inscription of their first natural World Heritage sites. He stressed that these achievements reflect the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Islamic world and demonstrate ICESCO Member States’ commitment to safeguarding and preserving heritage for future generations.

    The Director-General welcomed the inscription of four World Heritage sites from ICESCO Member States on the List of World Heritage in Danger. However, he expressed concern over the growing threats facing cultural and natural heritage worldwide and called on the international community to continue providing the necessary technical and financial support to Member States. He underscored the importance of developing a clear roadmap to facilitate the future removal of these sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

    Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to continuing its support for Member States through technical assistance, capacity-building programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing the promotion, preservation, and management of World Heritage sites.

    ICESCO Member States succeeded in securing the inscription of seven cultural sites and two natural sites.

    Cultural sites:

    Ancient Towns of the Union of the Comoros.

    Alamut Castle and Related Fortifications, Islamic Republic of Iran.

    Jabal Amel Castles, Lebanese Republic.

    Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau, Republic of Kazakhstan.

    Sebastia Archaeological Site, State of Palestine.

    ashkent Modernist Architecture: Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia, Republic of Uzbekistan.

    Sidi Bou Said Village, Republic of Tunisia.

      Natural sites:

      Aqaba Marine Reserve, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

      Wadi Wurayah, United Arab Emirates.

        The new sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger include:

        • Tyre City and the Jabal Amel Castles, Lebanese Republic.
        • Sebastia Archaeological Site, State of Palestine.
        • Historic Inner City of Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname.

        New ICESCO Scientific Publication on the Role of Digital Technologies in Inclusive and Sustainable Development

        Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published a scientific policy recommendation titled “The Role of Digital Technologies in Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Focus on SMEs and Cooperatives.” The publication was supervised by ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector and prepared with contributions from experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Zeroe, and Act4Community.

        This publication draws on practical experience and the views of international experts to provide a strategic reference for leveraging digital technologies to strengthen the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives in creating employment opportunities, supporting social cohesion, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

        The publication aims to support the efforts of policymakers and institutions to develop inclusive digital transformation strategies capable of responding to local needs. It also seeks to place SMEs and cooperatives at the heart of national development agendas in order to promote the inclusion of women, youth, and communities in technological advancement.

        It is worth noting that this recommendation reflects ICESCO’s commitment to supporting scientific research and innovation and to enhancing the participation of SMEs in achieving economic and social development.

        The scientific recommendation can be accessed via the following link:

        https://icesco.org/en-ki5b

        ICESCO Launches Quantum Science Experts Network

        Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the ICESCO Quantum Science Experts Network to strengthen collaboration in scientific research and innovation in quantum technologies, promote knowledge exchange, and build the capacities of professionals working in the field across the Organization’s Member States. The launch took place during a high-level dialogue held virtually on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, with the participation of 30 experts, researchers, academics, and specialists in quantum technologies from 21 countries.

        In his opening remarks, Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, Head of the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO, stressed the importance of raising awareness of quantum technologies and advancing their application. He noted that the launch of the network marks an important step toward establishing a collaborative quantum technology ecosystem across the Islamic world and developing human capital in this strategic field.

        During the first session, Dr. Adel Smeda, expert at the Science and Environment Sector of ICESCO, explained that the ICESCO Quantum Science Experts Network operates within the framework of the ICESCO Center for Quantum Technologies. He outlined the Center’s roles, strategic objectives, and action plan, highlighting the establishment of the ICESCO Quantum Technologies Alliance Platform and the assessment of Member States’ readiness in this area among its key priorities.

        In the second session, participants delivered presentations on recent developments in quantum technologies, quantum computing, quantum algorithms, and cybersecurity, as well as the principles and ethics governing cooperation in the field of quantum technologies.

        ICESCO Holds Introductory Meeting on the “Culture International Smart City” Project with 40 Representatives of National Commissions

        Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an introductory meeting to present its new “Culture International Smart City” project on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The meeting was organized in cooperation with the General Delegation of Wallonie-Bruxelles in Morocco, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University of Saudi Arabia, and the Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology (ENSAM) in Paris. It brought together 40 representatives of ICESCO National Commissions, along with a number of experts from the Organization.

        The virtual meeting, chaired by Ms. Chiraz El Fassi, General Delegate of Wallonie-Bruxelles in Morocco, opened with remarks by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector. In his address, he reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to developing innovative cultural policies founded on international cooperation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. He noted that the new program represents a major step in implementing ICESCO’s strategic vision of positioning culture as a driver of development.

        This was followed by a detailed presentation on the “Culture International Smart City” project delivered by Dr. Mohamed Amine Hammami, an expert in cultural and creative technologies, and Mr. Christophe Claramunt, a professor at ENSAM in Paris. They explained that the project seeks to harness digital technologies and artificial intelligence to support the preservation, valorization, and promotion of cultural heritage while stimulating the creative economy and fostering innovation across ICESCO Member States.

        The presentation emphasized that the project goes beyond the digitalization of cultural heritage. It aims to establish a smart cultural ecosystem in which heritage, innovation, scientific research, cultural entrepreneurship, and citizen participation interact within an integrated and holistic framework.

        Representatives of the National Commissions welcomed the innovative initiative and expressed their interest in implementing it in their respective countries. Discussions focused on mechanisms for appointing focal points between ICESCO and its Member States to identify pilot cities, mobilize local partners, and develop a joint action plan to ensure the gradual implementation of the program at the national level.

        The “Culture International Smart City” project is part of ICESCO’s broader efforts to place culture at the heart of digital transformation by developing an innovative model for smart cultural cities capable of strengthening cultural heritage protection, supporting the creative economy, and promoting scientific research.

        ICESCO, UNESCO Foster Partnership to Develop Cultural Policies and Support Sustainable Development

        Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

        The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held, via videoconference on Thursday, 16 July 2026, the Fourth Meeting of the Joint Committee on Cultural Policies for Sustainable Development. The meeting was held as part of both parties’ efforts to promote cultural policy reforms in ICESCO Member States and to strengthen the role of culture as a lever for sustainable development at the regional and international levels.

        Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Sector of Culture, opened the meeting, reaffirming the key role of the Committee as a mechanism to measure the progress made in implementing the relevant international commitments, in line with the Doha Declaration (2023) on Renewing Cultural Action in the Islamic World and the Jeddah Declaration (2025) on the Impact of Culture on Development.

        Ms. Emmanuelle Robert, Expert at the Culture Sector of UNESCO, highlighted the Organization’s priorities in the fields of cultural rights, culture and education, creative industries, technological integration, climate action, and cultural response in times of crisis. For her part, Ms. Somia Djacta, Head of ICESCO’s Office at UNESCO in Paris, stressed the importance of the meeting, held prior to the upcoming signature of a partnership agreement between the two organizations. Likewise, Ms. Rime Jirari, Head of the Division of Organizations and Bodies at the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO, reaffirmed the Sector’s commitment to widening the scope of cooperation in the upcoming period.

        The meeting saw the presentation of ICESCO’s project, the “ICESCO Charter on the Development of Cultural Rights in the Islamic World,” and the Strategic Action Plan of the Culture Sector for the period 2026–2029. The meeting also shed light on key studies and analytical tools developed by ICESCO pertaining to cultural GDP, sustainable cultural and creative economies, the reference framework for cultural professions and skills, and ICESCO’s indicators for cultural and creative technologies.

        At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to launch joint workshops to foster cultural policies and development strategies, in partnership with the National Commissions, as well as to jointly prepare for the next session of the World Conference on Cultural Policies (MONDIACULT). They also agreed to coordinate efforts to strengthen cultural rights, citizenship, and education through culture, thereby contributing to the development of more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable cultural policies across the Member States.