An Omani Faculty of national defense delegation visited the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Headquarters in Rabat on Sunday 3 March 2024.
The delegation, headed by Ambassador Ahmed bin Salim Ba Omar from the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was received by Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, in the presence of Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. Salim Bin Hilal Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO.
During the meeting, Dr. Benarfa highlighted the unprecedented turnout of visitors to the exhibition and museum since its public opening in November 2022. He noted that people of all ages from across the kingdom, as well as residents and tourists of Morocco, visit it regularly.
Dr. Benarfa added that ICESCO’s decision to host this great Museum, which is headquartered in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, stems from a strategic tripartite partnership between the Organization, the Muslim World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars, and marks the first edition of its kind outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the tour, the delegation received explanations about the various sections and pavilions of the exhibition, which included a detailed simulation depicting the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. They learned about the importance of the exhibition and the museum, which is to convey the message of Islam through values such as justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, and coexistence. The exhibition utilizes cutting-edge technologies to immerse visitors in the dimensions of the Prophet’s Seerah and historical scenes and artifacts, providing an experience akin to being in the heart of the Prophetic era.
Ambassador Ahmed bin Salim Ba Omar and the accompanying delegation expressed their joy at visiting the exhibition and the museum. Amb. Ba Omar commended the organizers for their efforts in enabling visitors to learn about the Prophet’s Seerah and virtually experience life during His time.
At the end of the visit, the Omani Ambassador presented commemorative shields to representatives of ICESCO, the Muslim World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars, as a token of appreciation for their valuable efforts.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a Yemeni delegation from the Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief (BCHR), headed by Mr. Fahmy Salmeen, the Executive Director of the BCHR, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday 28 February 2024. The meeting reviewed the results and developments in the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project” in Yemen, being implemented by BCHR, funded by Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) and overseen and monitored in its executive phases by ICESCO.
During the meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik renewed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting Yemen in the fields of education, sciences and Culture through the implementation of a set of programs and practical and well-defined activities in cooperation with the competent authorities in Yemen and in coordination with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik lauded KSRelief for funding the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project” and expressed appreciation for BCHR’s efforts to implement it.
The delegation of BCHR briefed ICESCO Director-General on the latest developments in the Project, which was implemented in 7 Yemeni governorates, and pointed to its success as it exceeded its goals on all levels. Initially, the Project targeted 19,000 girls, while 21,500 girls have benefited from it thus far. Additionally, the Project aimed to train 350 instructors and will now build the capacities of 500 instructors by the end of the Project in two months. Likewise, the project worked on equipping several classrooms and supporting girls’ families in establishing small income-generating economic activities.
At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination to explore prospects for implementing the Project in other Yemeni governorates or similar projects in cooperation with the Yemeni Ministry of Education.
The delegation of BCHR handed a memorial shield to Dr. AlMalik in recognition of the efforts of ICESCO to ensure the success of the Project.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of National Education in Charge of Civics Training and the National Commission of the Gabonese Republic, launched a project to promote women and girls’ literacy and economic empowerment through income-generating projects and activities. The project benefits 50 women and girls at the Literacy Center in Libreville.
The three-month project, which kicked off on Monday, February 26, 2024, aims to consolidate the gains of newly literate girls and women through programs of educational support in reading, writing and arithmetic. It also aims to build their professional capacities through applied workshops on running small income-generating projects, provide them with the necessary modern technical skills in the fields of sewing and embroidery, and supply them with literacy programs’ machinery and equipment, in addition to tools to furnish the training hall.
During the Project’s launch ceremony, Ms. Camélia Ntoutoume-Leclercq, Minister of National Education in Charge of Civics Training, commended ICESCO’s leading roles in fighting social vulnerability, improving newly literate girls and women’s income resources, countering unemployment and investing in marginalized groups’ education.
For his part, Mr. Aziz El-Hajir, Program Director at ICESCO’s Education Sector, stressed the significance of literacy programs, small projects and income-generating activities and highlighted their socio-economic impact in developing countries.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (ICESCO), received Dr. Hervé Ndoum Essingone, Gabonese Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technological Innovation, President of the Gabonese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, to discuss the recent advancements in the partnership between ICESCO and Gabon in areas of mutual interest.
At the outset of the meeting, held on 27 February 2024, Dr. AlMalik warmly welcomed Dr. Essingone to ICESCO headquarters. In attendance were Mr. Sylver Aboubacar Minko Mi Nseme, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to Morocco, and the accompanying delegation of the Minister. Dr. AlMalik expressed gratitude for the gracious reception he received during his recent visit to the capital, Libreville. He highlighted the successful meeting he had with General Brice Oligui Nguema, Transitional President of Gabon, which marked a promising start to the cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon in the fields of education, science, and culture.
The Gabonese Minister expressed his appreciation to ICESCO and its Director-General for their keenness to cooperate with his country, stating that his visit to the Organization was in line with the instructions of the President of Gabon to reaffirm the commitment to a fruitful partnership with ICESCO, as previously agreed.
The meeting explored various proposals to enhance the partnership between ICESCO and Gabon, including organizing a meeting for the First Ladies in Libreville, hosting ICESCO’s forthcoming Executive Council meeting in Gabon, and collaborating to prepare for the Summit of the Future scheduled at the United Nations headquarters in New York in September. Additionally, the discussions tackled supporting Gabon’s strategy to promote culture, enhance cultural establishments nationwide, and contribute to the modernization of educational institutions.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to form a joint working team to continue coordinating, developing executive plans, and monitoring the programs and projects of cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon.
Afterwards, an expanded meeting took place involving the Gabonese Minister, his accompanying delegation, and the heads of sectors, centers, and departments at ICESCO. During this meeting, they reviewed the Organization’s ongoing initiatives and programs, as well as ICESCO’s strategic plan for 2024 and 2025. Additionally, they discussed and identified Gabon’s priorities and needs in the areas of education, science, and culture.
Subsequently, Dr. AlMalik accompanied the Gabonese Minister to visit the halls of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at the headquarters of ICESCO in partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL) and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, launched the first phase of the Program, “Promoting the Arabic Language in the Bilingual Education System of the Union of Comoros”.
The program, which was launched at a major ceremony held in Moroni, on Monday, February 26, 2024, features a variety of activities, including a meeting of educational experts and officials, on “Promoting the Arabic Language in the Bilingual Education System of the Union of Comoros”, technical and consultative meetings on revamping the headquarters of ICESCO’s Delegation in Moroni, and educational workshops and meetings in the field of teaching Arabic in Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli, over the period 1-5 March 2024.
At the Program’s launch ceremony, at Imam Chafiou Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Moroni, Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the Director-General in Charge of ICESCO’s External Bodies in the Field of Arabic, conveyed ICESCO’s full support for promoting Arabic in bilingual education systems (Arabic-French), noting that the Program comes in application of the outcomes of ICESCO Director-General’s visit to Moroni last July.
For his part, Mr. Suleiman Saleh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Education, Scientific Research, Training and Professional Integration in the Union of Comoros, commended ICESCO’s initiative to support Arabic in the Comorian education system, calling for capitalizing on the Program’s launch activities, particularly the meeting of educational experts and officials, to build national capacities in the field of training Arabic teachers and developing specialized national school curricula.
The training session organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication kicked off on Monday, 26 February 2024, with the rallying call, “Inclusive Wellbeing in Practice.” The training aims to build the capacities of youth centers’ directors and facilitators in Marrakech–Safi region and to train them on psychosocial first aid and skills to deal with vulnerable groups and crisis scenarios.
At the outset of the three-day training, held in El Koudia Youth Center in Marrakech, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector, praised the fruitful partnership between ICESCO and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, stressing the importance of prioritizing psychological and mental health, especially in the post-Covid era and amid the climate change concerns, natural disasters and continuous tensions.
For her part, Ms. Kenza Abourmane, Head of Youth Department at the Ministry, stated that this training is part of the efforts and orientations of the Ministry aiming to advance the status of social and cultural facilitators and ensure their training and continued professional development.
Moreover, Aziz Moatassim, Regional Director of the Youth Sector in Marrakech-Safi, confirmed that the youth centers in the region remain ever-engaged in the dynamism of building capacities and supporting professionals in the field.
Following these opening remarks, the morning sessions tackled the psychological and mental impact of crises and disasters and first aid intervention. In contrast, the afternoon sessions focused on the principles and rules of providing assistance responsibly while observing peace, human rights and dignity.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mrs. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Mayor of Marrakech, Minister of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy of the Kingdom of Morocco. The two parties reviewed ways of ensuring the success of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024, under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
During the meeting, held this Friday, February 23, 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik underlined ICESCO’s commitment to implementing a rich and distinctive program highlighting the artistic and cultural elements that distinguish the Red City. This program aims not only to strengthen the city’s cultural capital, but also to contribute to the promotion of its historic status as a global cultural destination, promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue.
The Director General of ICESCO noted that the Organization is working to implement numerous activities and programs, including cultural and artistic competitions, training workshops and symposia on the heritage of Marrakech, as well as international conferences on the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue. For her part, Ms. El Mansouri welcomed the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, and reaffirmed her full commitment to cooperating in the implementation of the year-long celebration program, in line with the city’s historical and cultural status.
At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to maintain coordination between ICESCO and Marrakech City Council to ensure the success of this major cultural event.
Following two days of working sessions and rich scientific discussions on the concepts, values and latest developments in media and information education, the International Conference, “Media Education: Horizons and Aspirations”, concluded its proceedings with a series of practical and applicable recommendations. These include the importance of consolidating the values of global citizenship to help build a more just and peaceful world through the development of media education, calling for the development of a series of guidelines to strengthen the presence of this type of education, raising young people’s awareness of digital ethics in the production and circulation of content, and establishing a professional, legislative and ethical code of honor for the use of artificial intelligence in the media field.
ICESCO and the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organized this two-day conference at ICESCO headquarters, in cooperation with the League of Arab States represented by the Information and Communication Department of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information, and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco. The conference produced a series of recommendations, including calling on educational authorities to integrate media education into curricula in order to raise a generation capable of understanding the media field; training curriculum developers, teachers and media professionals; capitalizing on artificial intelligence to produce responsible media content; and supporting research and studies in the field of media education.
The recommendations of the international conference, attended by eminent international figures and specialized researchers from 16 countries, stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation between the media and educational and security institutions, consolidating the role of the media in promoting human values, urging media institutions to contribute to media education programs, and creating interactive digital spaces that bring young people together.
The second day of the conference opened with a session on, “Prerequisites for integrating media education in the education system”, followed by a session on, “The foundations for the conscious management of media, social networks and information sources”, and a session on “Artificial intelligence and the future of media education”. During these sessions, scientific papers were presented and rich discussions took place in which participants exchanged ideas and proposals on media education.
At the closing session, Dr. Ahmed AlBanyan, Head of the Section of Education for All at ICESCO’s Education Sector, read out the conference’s recommendations. Dr. Koumbou Barry, Head of the Sector, along with Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Alharfash, Vice President for External Relations at Naif Arab University, gave closing remarks commending participants’ valuable input and the quality of the Conference’s recommendations.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Farid Chourak, Wali of Marrakech-Safi Region. The Officials discussed cooperation between ICESCO and the Wilaya, as part of celebrating Marrakech as a Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
At the outset of the meeting, held today, Thursday 22 February 2024 at the headquarters of the Wilaya in Marrakech, Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s appreciation for the support of the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi in ensuring the successful launch of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, which will continue throughout the year. ICESCO Director-General further emphasized the Organization’s keenness to cooperate with relevant civil society institutions to implement programs, activities, and launch various competitions highlighting the cultural momentum of the Red City.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik presented the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi Region with a commemorative plate engraved with a poem in Arabic titled “Marrakech of Glories,” which Dr. AlMalik composed himself, on the occasion of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, and recited at the end of his address during the launch ceremony.
On his part, Dr. Chourak lauded ICESCO’s evolution, and its initiative to select Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for this year, commending the success of the official launch of the celebration last month. The Wali of Marrakech-Safi Region particularly expressed his admiration for the poem presented to him, thanking Dr. AlMalik for the words of beauty, praise, and appreciation it contained, and conveyed about the city of joy, its kind people, and its illustrious history.
During the Meeting, both sides agreed to implement a number of activities aimed at involving youth, women, and civil society organizations, and coordinating the participation of delegations from Islamic and non-Islamic countries in these activities, in addition to forming a team from ICESCO to visit the headquarters of the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi Region to develop executive plans for cooperation between the two sides throughout the year of celebration.
The International Symposium on Media Education: Horizons and Aspirations, kicked off today, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters and via videoconference. The Symposium is being held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the League of Arab States, represented in its Media and Communication Sector—Department of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Symposium, which brought together high-caliber participation from 16 countries, including ministers, prominent international figures, and experts specializing in the field of media, IT and security education, aims to disseminate and consolidate the concepts and principles of media and IT education and works toward integrating them in school curricula to develop critical thinking skills.
The Symposium opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the Address of Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who stressed the central role of media in all fields, noting that the media sector has the power necessary to design, develop and improve the quality of its mechanisms. Moreover, the Director-General highlighted new web media statistics, which show that more than 4.4 billion people, representing 64.6% of the world population, exchange news, and ideas via social media. He also noted that humans spend 15% of their awake time on social networks, with a total of 10 billion hours spent daily in the virtual world.
In the same vein, the Director-General stated that the unfolding waves of new media and the communication revolutions necessitate a closer look at their implications with regard to personal privacy violations and fake news propaganda, to find ways to fight these phenomena and establish for a media education that upholds the values of equality, justice and citizenship.
Speaking next, Dr. Khaled bin Abdulaziz Alharfash, NAUSS Vice-President for External Relations, reaffirmed that the University’s programs aim to translate its interest in the role of media in fighting and preventing crimes into a tangible reality that contributes to promoting the concept of intellectual security. He added that this interest stems from the University’s mission to implement Arab security strategies and plans and prevent crime, expressing his high hopes that this Symposium serve as a stepping stone towards an Arab strategic plan to mainstream media education.
In his address, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed Morocco’s commitment to addressing the issues of media and communication to promote critical media literacy among all social groups, especially young people, and empower them to positively use different media tools. The Moroccan Minister also highlighted his country’s efforts to promote media education and integrate it in school curricula.
In a recorded address, Mr. Jean Emmanuel Rimtalba Ouedraogo, Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism of the Republic of Burkina Faso, talked about his country’s great interest in media education, casting light on its efforts in this field, which include raising awareness of the proper way to handle social media.
Dr. Farid El-Bacha, President of Mohamed V University, also gave an address at this key event, on behalf of Dr. Abdelatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in the Kingdom of Morocco, where he addressed the theme of the Symposium, in light of the current world changes.
For his part, Mr. Hicham Bellaoui, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Public Ministry, addressed the Symposium on behalf of Mr. El-Hassan Daki, King’s Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, President of the Public Ministry in the Kingdom of Morocco, stressing the significance of media education in light of a global context characterized by a technological revolution in the field of media. The Secretary-General stated that media education aims to develop people’s abilities to analyze media messages, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in this field.
There followed the address of Mr. Boubker Sabik, Police Superintendent General, Spokesperson for the General Directorate of National Security and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, on behalf of Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Member of NAUSS Supreme Council, who underscored the need to shield society and raise shared awareness of the importance of media education to prevent crime, noting that the Directorate has exerted significant efforts to integrate development plans and modern approaches to collectively promote security.
Over the course of two days, the Symposium’s working sessions will discuss scientific papers on partnerships between the fields of media and education to build a knowledge society and achieve sustainable development; ethics of the freedom of expression in media legislations and charters; leading Arab and international experiences in disseminating media education; prerequisites of media education in Arab school curricula; and AI and the future of media education.
