Category: Front Page

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has launched its revamped official website that is equipped with the latest technologies for compatibility with modern web browsers and smart devices. The new site also introduces a virtual assistant called “ALEM” to assist visitors navigate through it and get easy access to information about all ICESCO’s sectors, departments and centers, as well as its various programs and activities, answering their questions about the Organization through artificial intelligence and “GPT Chat” technology.

ICESCO’s official website ( https://icesco.org/en ) was launched on Friday June 2 from the Organization’s pavilion at GITEX Africa 2023 in Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco, in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Organization, and Dr. Said bin Mohammad Al-Barami, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as several ICESCO sector and department heads, and representatives of Avaya Company, which helped in revamping the website which uses its technology.

During the launch ceremony, a presentation was made on the main features of the new website, which ICESCO has enhanced with attractive, consistent technical features and high-quality technologies that offer visitors a flexible user experience enabling them to access information quickly.

The ceremony was also marked by questions from the audience, which were answered accurately by the “ALEM” assistant.

The website includes a series of sections presenting ICESCO’s main areas of competence and sectors, namely education, science and technology, culture and communication, and human and social sciences. It also features the Organization’s various departments and specialized centers, including the Arabic Language Center for non-Arabic speakers, the Strategic Foresight Center, the Center for Civilizational Dialogue and the Islamic World Heritage Center, in addition to a regularly updated news section and a section for publications and scientific reports.

The Organization has also developed a modern and innovative application dedicated to the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture in its Member States, to improve communication and the exchange of expertise, and speed up administrative processes based on pioneering technology that provides countries with an advanced digital environment helping them to interact and cooperate with each other in a more flexible way with a view to making the most of pioneering experiences. The application is also equipped with cutting-edge protection technologies that ensure the confidentiality and security of information and data.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Agency for Digital Development in the Kingdom of Morocco signed an agreement for joint cooperation, in coordination with ICESCO Member States to build the capacities of young people in the fields of technology and innovation, raising awareness of the digital requirements of the jobs of the future, highlighting the opportunities provided by digital transformation applications, and improving smart and proactive electronic services. It also provides for building electronic platforms that support the transfer of knowledge, best practices for distance education, and artificial intelligence applications for education.

The agreement was signed today, Thursday, June 2, 2023, at GITEX Africa 2023 in Marrakech, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Mohamed Idrissi El Meliani, Director-General of the Digital Development Agency, in the presence of several ICESCO heads of sectors and departments and officials at the Agency.

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Al-Malik and Dr. El-Meliani reaffirmed that the agreement gives great impetus for joint cooperation between the two institutions during the coming period as it will constitute a lever for digital transformation in the field of education, the transfer of knowledge and best practices to enhance the applications of modern technology and artificial intelligence related to education. They added that it will contribute significantly to building the capacities of young people in the field of innovation, preparing them for the jobs of the future, and contributing to the improvement of smart electronic services in ICESCO Member States.

The provisions of the agreement, which will be implemented over a period of two years, include co-organizing workshops, seminars and specialized training sessions in the areas of cooperation, conducting studies in the fields of technological development, supervising and supporting young entrepreneurs and innovators, and exchanging expertise and experience with ICESCO Member States in the field of digital and technological development.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the 28th Edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair, organized in Rabat by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him. The Fair, held over the period between June 1 and June 11, was opened by Mr. Mohamed Al-Mahdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, along with several heads of sectors and advisors at the Organization. This year, ICESCO’s pavilion at the Fair will feature a rich cultural and artistic program, under the theme, “The Book in ICESCO’s Year of Youth,” in reflection of the great interest the Organization attaches to the issues of books and publishing, and in celebration of the Year of ICESCO for Youth, granted the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

This program includes fifty activities, which will be implemented at ICESCO’s pavilion with the participation of a host of distinguished intellectuals, writers and poets from a number of Member States, who will present lectures on a range of current cultural and intellectual issues, and readings of several recent publications. ICESCO will also organize contests and prizes will be awarded to winners daily.

Moreover, ICESCO’s pavilion also includes screens to broadcast videos produced by the Organization on a number of its projects and initiatives, notably the hosting of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at the ICESCO Headquarters. The pavilion also includes a special space for children to welcome children with talents in writing, storytelling and drawing. Many activities will be dedicated to children with disabilities to showcase their successful experiences.

Likewise, ICESCO’s pavilion will see the participation of heads of sectors, departments and specialized centers, as well as experts at the Organization and some supervisors of ICESCO’s scientific chairs in universities, to discuss the pressing issues in the educational, scientific and cultural fields.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Musa Al-Maqrif, Libyan Minister of Education, President of the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and his accompanying delegation, where they discussed partnership developments between ICESCO and the State of Libya in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held on Thursday (June 1, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to strengthen communication and coordination with Member States’ National Commissions to identify their priorities and needs and accordingly design appropriate programs and projects for each country for maximum benefit.

He also reviewed ICESCO’s major current programs, most notably the youth support program in the fields of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, explaining that ICESCO’s Year of Youth focuses on programs and initiatives geared toward building the capacities and skills of young people in the Islamic world to meet the requirements of the profession of tomorrow and contribute to addressing future challenges.

For his part, the Libyan Minister commended ICESCO’s efforts, which are recognized and appreciated by its Member States, noting that the Organization’s headquarters hosts the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which features knowledge treasures and highlights the biography of the Prophet, peace be upon him, calling for providing such contents online for the benefit of new generations.

The meeting discussed the preparations for proclaiming Benghazi as Culture Capital in the Islamic World, and the salient current and future joint programs and projects between ICESCO and Libya.

The meeting also brought together Mr. Najib Rhiati, Cultural Adviser to ICESCO Director-General, Dr. Salim Al-Habsi, Programs Manager at the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and Dr. Adel Smaida, Expert at the Science and Technology Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Dr. Hamad Abdulwahab Hamad Al-Adwani, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Kuwaiti National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, to discuss ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kuwait in the fields of education, science and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, which took place on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the Kuwaiti Minister, stressing the Organization’s keenness to strengthen partnership in its fields of competence with the State of Kuwait, which was one of the founding countries of ICESCO.

He reviewed the main elements of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations and its key programs and activities to serve its Member States and Muslim communities around the world, stressing the interest it accords to investing in modern technology, artificial intelligence and applications of space science in modernizing the fields of education, science and culture in the countries of the Islamic world, as well as the Organization’s focus on youth capacity-building in these areas.

For his part, Dr. Al-Adwani commended the development and modernization of ICESCO’s action mechanisms, and its new forward-looking vision for the future, noting that the State of Kuwait attaches great importance to cooperation with the Organization and support its efforts.

The two parties agreed to sustain coordination to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kuwait during the next stage.
Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Al-Adwani on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which is currently hosted at ICESCO headquarters, and listened to detailed presentations on the contents of the Exhibition’s various pavilions using modern display technologies, which narrate and document in detail the biography of our Prophet (PBUH).

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Ms. Ameenah Garib-Fakima, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, during her visit to ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, on Thursday (June 1, 2023).

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks and appreciation to Ms. Garib-Fakima for her permanent participation in ICESCO’s forums and activities through videoconference, noting that the Organization will launch and implement several programs and activities aimed at building the capacities of women and youth, developing the skills for future professions, building human capital, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and consolidating the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.

He added that ICESCO, within the framework of its vision and strategic orientations, adopts a policy of openness to non-Member States to serve Muslim communities around the world, welcoming the Republic of Mauritius to join ICESCO as an observer.

For her part, Ms. Garib-Fakima expressed her happiness at participating in ICESCO’s activities, appreciating the Organization’s efforts to serve Muslim countries in its areas of competence, and reaffirmed that she would convey the message of ICESCO Director-General to the competent authorities in Mauritius to consider joining the Organization as an observer.

Afterward, the former President of the Republic of Mauritius toured the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Darem Tabbaa, Minister of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic, explored ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Syria in the educational field, mainly the use of modern technology in the process of preparing curricula, building youth capacities and the inscription of historical schools on Islamic World Heritage Lists.

At the outset of the meeting, which took place on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations and highlighted the key programs and projects being implemented for the benefit of its Member States in its areas of competence, mainly developing the education sector, building youth capacities, developing their knowledge and preparing them for tomorrow’s jobs, as well as holding training sessions in the field of space science and its applications and consolidating the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue.

ICESCO Director General reaffirmed the Organization’s eagerness to cooperate with the Syrian authorities and support them in facing the risks related to the educational process, mainly school dropouts and educational loss, as well as providing educational opportunities for the displaced population.

For his part, Dr. Tabbaa valued ICESCO’s role in contributing to the development of education, science and culture in its Member States, noting his intention to inscribe historical schools and elements of the Syrian intangible heritage related to religious education on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists.
The meeting touched upon means and mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and Syria in preparing school curricula, implementing joint programs and projects to employ modern technology and artificial intelligence in preparing these curricula, in addition to cooperation in building youth capacities.

The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Supervisor of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and together discussed the latest developments in cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt, especially in the field of building the capacities of teachers and developing their skills to keep up with the advancements of technology applications and capitalize on them in modernizing the educational process.

The meeting was held on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Ambassador Yasser Othman, Ambassador of Egypt to Morocco, the delegation accompanying the Minister, Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General and several heads of departments at the Organization. During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik stressed the Organization’s keenness to continue fruitful cooperation with the Arab Republic of Egypt in the fields of education, science and culture, commending the patronage of His Excellency President El-Sisi for ICESCO’s Year of Youth, which will be marked by the launch and implementation of numerous initiatives, programs and activities for the benefit of young people in the Islamic world. He added that this year-long event will be officially launched in a major international celebration in Cairo in the coming period.

For his part, Dr. Hegazy expressed his delight at visiting ICESCO Headquarters, commending the Organization’s role in supporting the efforts of its Member States within its areas of competence, and its keenness to contribute to the modernization of educational strategies.

The meeting discussed the latest developments regarding the programs and projects implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt in the field of education, notably the International Professional Teaching Certificates Project, which will benefit 2,000 teachers in a number of Egyptian governorates. They also discussed the implementation of ICESCO’s project to improve water and sanitation services in many Egyptian schools.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain coordination to explore more cooperation opportunities.

Afterward, Dr. Al-Malik accompanied Dr. Hegazy on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO Headquarters. The Egyptian Minister expressed his admiration for the rich information provided by this great scientific edifice on the Seerah of the Noble Prophet, using the latest display technologies.