Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Kamil Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ms. Solikul Silukizy, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco, where mechanisms for developing cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan in the fields of science, higher education, and scientific research development were discussed.
During the meeting, held on Wednesday (October 11, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. Al-Malik commended the distinguished relations between ICESCO and the Republic of Kazakhstan, stressing the Organization’s keenness to enhance cooperation through implementing a set of programs and projects to develop scientific research and provide scholarships for students from countries of the Islamic world to study in Kazakh universities, and encourage them to explore the horizons of space science, new technology and artificial intelligence.
He highlighted the successful organization of the first session of the International Conference on the Islamic World Scholars, jointly held by the two parties, under the theme “Al-Farabi and his contributions throughout human history,” at ICESCO Headquarters, which saw the presence of Dr. Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan. For his part, Dr. Akathov praised the Conference’s sessions, which discussed the contributions of Al-Farabi and his role in developing science and philosophy for the renaissance of the Islamic world, stressing Kazakhstan’s aspiration for further cooperation with ICESCO through the establishment of scientific chairs in Kazakh universities, and the organization of conferences and seminars in the field of education and scientific research.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, hosts the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, on Thursday (October 19, 2023), in Jeddah, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in the presence of environment ministers of ICESCO Member States and the representatives of regional and international environment organizations to discuss avenues of strengthening joint Islamic action and addressing the effects of climate change and the environmental challenges facing Earth.
The agenda of the Conference, held under the theme, “Toward Achieving Green Transformation in the Islamic World,” features the discussion and adoption of several documents submitted by the ICESCO General Directorate, including the Executive Work Plan for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, the Draft Guidance Document on the Best Practices for Green Transformation in the Islamic World and the Draft Strategy for Smart Sustainable Cities in the Islamic World. The Conference will issue a Declaration on Environmental Matters at its close.
Furthermore, the Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World will elect the Members of its Bureau and decide on the date and venue of its forthcoming session.
Prior to the Conference, the Executive Bureau for the Environment in the Islamic World will hold its Sixth Meeting, in Jeddah, on 18 October 2023, bringing together the nine Member States of the Executive Bureau and many regional and international organizations. Moreover, an exhibition will be organized on the sidelines of the Conference.
The conference also features the awards ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World for 21 winners from 18 Muslim countries in these categories: Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices, Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs in the Member States, Women’s leading activities in environmental action, and the Environmentally Friendly and Green Cities.
Dr. Salim AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. During the meeting, they explored prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in the fields of culture, science, and youth capacity building.
Dr. AlMalik initiated the meeting, held at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday 11 October 2023, by expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the Republic of Tatarstan, His Excellency President Rustam Minnikhanov, and the officials for the warm reception he received during his recent visit to the capital, Kazan, last August.
The Tatarstan Republic delegation, including Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Timur Suleymanov, Aide to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Head of All-Russian Public-State movement of children and youth in the Republic of Tatarstan “Movement of the first”, and Mrs. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, expressed their thanks to ICESCO and its Director-General for inviting them to attend the first edition of the International Conference on Islamic World Scholars, themed “Al-Farabi and his contributions throughout human history.” The meeting delved into discussions regarding potential collaboration between ICESCO and Tatarstan, with a particular focus on youth capacity-building and skill development to align with global advancements. The Tatarstan delegation noted that a major youth festival is scheduled for March 2024 in Sochi, featuring the participation of 20,000 young individuals, half of whom are from the Russian Federation and the other half from around the world. They also underlined ICESCO’s involvement and organization of a range of activities throughout this event. Additionally, the delegation confirmed their ongoing preparations for a cultural program to coincide with Russia’s presidency of the BRICS group in 2024. Furthermore, they discussed the possibility of registering several historical sites of the Islamic civilization in the Republic of Tatarstan on ICESCO’s World Islamic Heritage lists.
At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to maintain coordination to formulate comprehensive implementation plans that would oversee and guide the collaborative programs and projects jointly agreed upon between ICESCO and the competent parties in the Republic of Tatarstan.
The meeting was attended by Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, from ICESCO. Representing Tatarstan were Ms. Dilbar Sadykova, Chairwoman of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, and Ms. Alla Kondrateva, Deputy head of All-Russian Public-State movement of children and youth in the Republic of Tatarstan “Movement of the first”.
The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the first edition of the International Conference on the Islamic World Scholars, under the theme: “Al-Farabi’s and contributions throughout human history,” on Wednesday 11 October 2023. The two-day Conference is organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Rabat.
The Conference’s opening ceremony saw high-level attendance, including officials and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as a group of distinguished researchers and university professors from several countries. Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO, began the opening session with an overview of the world-renowned scholar Abu Nasr Al-Farabi, his unique contributions, and his significant role in enriching global thought and the Islamic renaissance.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, emphasized that Al-Farabi has left an unmatched wealth of scientific knowledge in language, philosophy, and music. “He authored nearly 100 books on most of the subjects of his era, tackling the legacies of Plato and Aristotle, and faithfully translating their work into Arabic. The body of his work, thus, became the channel through which ancient and Islamic philosophies were passed on to the European Renaissance era. Even today, he is highly regarded and studied by researchers and philosophers and is often referred to as the “Second Teacher” after Aristotle,” underline Dr. AlMalik.
ICESCO Director-General highlighted that Al-Farabi’s homeland, Kazakhstan, is characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity and that it has brought up many other prominent leaders and scholars, adding that it encourages and promotes dialogue among different religions and cultures. He concluded his remarks by stressing ICESCO’s keenness to underline the pioneering role played by Islamic scholars throughout the ages as an inspiration for youth.
For his part, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mohamed Khalfaoui, the Ministry’s Secretary-General, highlighted that the Conference is an opportunity to showcase the role of Al-Farabi in shaping human thought, reviewing the Ministry’s efforts to encourage scientific research.
In his address, Dr. Kamil Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, pointed out that the Ministry strives to highlight Al-Farabi’s scientific legacy by supporting numerous scholars in studying his contributions and research in innovation and science, considering the wealth of scientific knowledge that this great scholar left, which serves, to this today, as a reference to advance scientific research.
Following this, Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Akatov, and Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Rabat, presented awards to the winners of the competition for the best research papers on the intellectual contributions of Al-Farabi. The first prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Zadash Dukenbayeva from Kazakhstan and Dr. Salem Ayadi from Tunisia, while the second prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Ahmed Attia from Egypt and Dr. Ahmed Saadi from Morocco. The third prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Huda Mubarak Aldayri from the Sultanate of Oman and Dr. Iqbal Maulana Alfiansyah from Indonesia, and lastly a recognition award was given to Dr. Anis Meddeb from Tunisia.
The opening session also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, affiliated with ICESCO, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, science, and technology. The MoU was signed by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General in charge of the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, and Dr. Ainur Kurmanalieva, the Executive Director of the university.
In his address via videoconference following the signing ceremony, Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in the Republic of Kazakhstan, praised the significant legacy left by this scholar, through which he laid the foundations for inter-civilizational dialogue.
Afterward, the participants watched an introductory film on Al-Farabi and enjoyed a musical performance from the Republic of Uzbekistan. Following that, the names of the winners of the second phase of the Turathy Photography Competition in Egypt and the Islamic world were announced. The Competition, which focuses on the ” Architectural and Urban Heritage of Islamic World Cities,” and was launched by ICESCO and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, exhibited its winning photographs at ICESCO Headquarters.
The first day of the Al-Farabi Conference continued with sessions covering “Al-Farabi and his Impact on humanist philosophy” and “Al-Farabi’s theories in the fields of the philosophy of science and political philosophy.” These sessions featured rich discussions that explored Al-Farabi’s contributions in various areas and their impact on human thought throughout the ages.
The Center of Strategic Foresight at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, have signed a partnership agreement to establish the ICESCO Chair for Innovation and the Future in Africa, at the University. The aim of this partnership is to promote scientific research, training, information exchange, and documentation in the field, as well as to encourage collaboration among experts, researchers, and university professors in South Africa.
The agreement was signed via videoconference, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, by Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight, representing ICESCO, and Dr. Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management at the University of Witwatersrand.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Hammami delivered an insightful overview of the Center and its mission, emphasizing the importance of utilizing foresight tools in building the future, and the pivotal role of the Chair in disseminating knowledge, promoting research, and shaping a pioneering future for Africa. For his part, Dr. Cohen expressed his delight in collaborating with ICESCO through this Chair, which strengthens the impact of foresight in the attainment of sustainable development goals.
The Chair seeks to contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals pertaining to industry, innovation, and sustainable cities. It also seeks to analyze trends in the field of foresight and innovation in Africa, and develop research programs and educational resources in this area.
The first session of a series of training sessions for professionals working in the field of girls’ education, kicked off in Yemen, as part of the activities of the Girl Dropouts School Reintegration in Yemen Project. The Project came to fruition following an agreement signed among the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Yemen and the Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief (BCHR), which provides for offering training sessions for the benefit of 20 teachers and school counselors in Hadramout in order to address the school dropout phenomenon and work towards supporting girl dropouts and giving them a second chance at education.
The training session, which kicked off on Sunday (October 8, 2023) in the Yemeni city of Al-Mukalla, was attended by Mr. Abdulaziz Bawazir, Director of the KSRelief Coordination Unit in the Hadramout Governorate, and a number of Yemeni officials, who stressed the key role played by the Center, in cooperation and coordination with ICESCO, which oversees and follows up on the Project implementation, and with the BCHR, its local partner in the Republic of Yemen.
The two-day session is part of a series of training sessions aimed at building the capacities of 350 workers in the field of girls’ education in 7 governorates, namely: Hadramout, Marib, Ad-Dali’, Abyan, Socotra, Lahj and Hajjah. The sessions will be implemented in coordination with the Girl Education Sector at the Yemeni Ministry of Education, and the offices of the Ministry of Education in the governorates, in order to build the capacities of workers in the educational field, and provide them with the necessary training to ensure and promote the quality of girls’ education.
A training session on the mechanisms for integrating environmental and health concepts in school program and curricula kicked off today, Monday, October 9, 2023, in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon. The session is held by the Sector of Education at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Cameroonian National Commission for UNESCO, and targets several school counselors and inspectors.
The four-day session aims to contribute to the development of national policies for the integration of environmental and health concepts in school programs and curricula, build officials’ technical and educational capacities in this field and capitalize on information and communication technology in teaching methods. It also aims to produce the necessary digital resources, share successful experiences and promote efforts in the field.
A number of Cameroonian officials spoke during the opening session, and commended the key role ICESCO assumes in promoting the educational process, and supporting its Member States, including Cameroon.
Also speaking at the opening session were Dr. Abdelaziz Yauba, Secretary General of the Cameroonian National Commission for UNESCO, and Dr. Youssef Abou Dakka, Program Director at ICESCO’s Education Center, who highlighted the significance of the session, expressing their wishes that it achieves its goals to activate the role of educational institutions in protecting the environment and health and anchoring sound environmental and health conduct among students.
The session focuses on the situation of environmental and health concepts in school programs and curricula, the prospects of their integration and ways to capitalize on ICT in teaching these concepts in Cameroon. It also focuses on highlighting the role of technology in promoting the quality of programs and curricula that integrate these concepts, the best educational practices in the field, e-training and learning and the importance of open-source educational material in fostering environmental and health education.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt, discussed enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry for building teachers’ capacities and developing their skills to capitalize on new technology developments intending to develop the educational process.
During the meeting, held on Sunday (October 8, 2023), at the Ministry’s headquarters, in the New Administrative Capital, in Egypt, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to enhance cooperation and discussed the implementation phases and the opening of nominations for the training program of international certificates for young teachers, in light of the major international celebration “ICESCO Year of Youth,” held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Higher education and scientific research, under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Dr. Al-Malik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to continue fruitful cooperation with Egypt in the fields of education, science and culture, noting the key position of Egypt among the countries of the Islamic world, announcing that the implementation of this ambitious program to build teachers’ capacities will kick off in Egypt. For his part, Dr. Hegazy explained that the project basically aims at providing teachers with the necessary teaching and learning skills, adding that the program will include 15 training packages. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to provide grants to the top ten distinguished teachers, continue coordination to establish mechanisms for implementing the project and implement more cooperation projects.
The meeting also brought together Mr. Assayed Al-Absi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of ICESCO Director-General, as well as several officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), concluded his visit to the Republic of Egypt by meeting Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Egyptian National Commission, President of ICESCO General Conference, to discuss the latest developments in the special partnership between ICESCO and the Arab Republic of Egypt in areas of common interest.
At the beginning of the meeting, held on Sunday 8 October 2023, Dr. AlMalik extended his sincerest thanks and profound gratitude to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting ICESCO Youth Year, and to His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his generous patronage of this event, which will feature a myriad of programs and projects for the benefit of youth in the Islamic world.
Dr. AlMalik also expressed his great appreciation for Dr. Moustafa Madbouli, Egyptian Prime Minister, for his presence at the launch ceremony on behalf of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and to Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour and his team for their remarkable efforts to ensure the success of the launch ceremony of the ICESCO Year of Youth.
For his part, Dr. Ashour stated that Egypt’s hosting of this major event is part of its new vision for building youth capacities and enabling them to assume their role in achieving sustainable development, noting that the Ministry seeks to support young talents and innovators. The meeting discussed the latest developments in the partnership between ICESCO and Egypt in the fields of education, science and culture and key programs and projects to be implemented during ICESCO Year of Youth.
The end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain coordination and expert-level meetings to develop executive plans and follow-up on joint initiatives.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the second edition of the Prophet’s Madih Festival, organized by the International Society of Arab Poets in Istanbul from 6-9 October 2023, under the theme “The Spring of the Universe Has Been Born ... We emulate his conduct.”
This edition of the festival witnessed a large turnout and participation of a number of prominent poets. The program of the festival featured evenings of poetry presentations and similar presentations for children and youth, and artistic performances of prophetic Madih. During this event, Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, guest of honor of the festival, was honored.
On the second day of the festival, ICESCO Deputy Director-General delivered a Madih poem at the opening of the festival, and a lecture entitled “Prophetic Madih in the Great Diwan of Ibn al-Arabi.”
