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Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in several cultural activities during his official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to attend the launch of the Celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

These activities are part of the year-long celebration program, which features many activities, including intellectual and cultural fora.

In this regard, Dr. AlMalik took part in the symposium “Mauritanian knowledge as an ambassador,” held at the Palais des Congrès, in Nouakchott, on Friday evening, January 6, 2023.

This symposium discussed the roles of Mauritanian cultural diplomacy and the impact of Mauritanian scholars on science, culture and thought around the world.

In his opening speech, Dr. Mohammed El Mokhtar Ould Bah, chair of the symposium, whose writings and research have served the Chinguetti culture, expressed his gratitude to the Mauritanian authorities and ICESCO for having proclaimed Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

He also called for the mobilization of all efforts so that the contribution of Mauritania to the Islamic and human civilizations is recognized.

The symposium included three sessions, the first on the image of Chinguetti in modern Arabic sources, the second on ” Pilgrims’ Route: Characteristics of Influence and Impact,” and the third on the concerns of the homeland and nation through scientific communication between Mauritania and the Islamic world.

Prior to the symposium, Dr. AlMalik and Ms. Fatimetou Bint Abdel Malick, President of Nouakchott Region, visited the Cultural Village, which represents a typical village of the Mauritanian lifestyle and includes Al-Mahdara tent, which is an important symbol of the traditional teaching mechanisms in Mauritania.

They also visited the artisans’ tent, which aims to support and preserve handicrafts, the tent of traditional Mauritanian gastronomy and other aspects of Bedouin life, traditions, customs, and ways of living.

Dr. AlMalik expressed his admiration for the valorization of Mauritanian intangible heritage in the cultural village, the opportunities it offers to artisans and the support it provides to the continuity of traditional crafts, stressing that the celebration of Nouakchott is an opportunity to highlight and strengthen these efforts.

During an artistic ceremony, organized by the National Union of Mauritanian Employers to welcome the guests of the celebration of Nouakchott, in the presence of a large number of officials, private sector as well as cultural and media figures, Mr. Mohammed Zinelabidine Ould Cheikh Ahmed, President of the Union, honored ICESCO Director-General and some prominent personalities in recognition of their efforts to serve the culture and preparation of the celebration.

On Friday, 6 January 2023, Nouakchott’s Convention Center (Palais des Congrès) hosted the launch of the city’s celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023 under the auspices and chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. This celebration is part of the programme of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.

The launching ceremony witnessed the high-level participation of the Mauritanian Prime Minister, members of the government, heads of constitutional and national institutions, ministers of culture, delegations from some ICESCO Member States and a host of academics, thinkers, authors and media professionals.

The ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by artistic renditions highlighting the Mauritanian heritage, madih and creative performances by schoolchildren.

At the outset of his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), noted that Nouakchott is deserving of the title of Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023 given the valuable contributions of the city and the Mauritanian republic to poetry, literature, fiqh, grammar and morphology, adding that ICESCO will provide full cultural support to the year-long celebration through various activities.

He reviewed the main cultural activities to be supervised by the Organization throughout the year, most notably those geared towards preserving and valorizing the heritage sites and cultural elements inscribed on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, contributing to the restoration of several heritage sites and launching the ICESCO Young Poets Forum.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address with a poem entitled “The Flower of Cultural Capitals” which he composed on this occasion.

ICESCO DG then presented Mrs. Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick, President of the Nouakchott region, with the flag of Nouakchott, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

During the ceremony, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee supervising the celebration, reviewed the key axes of the celebration’s national programme which features cultural, scientific and educational activities to be implemented in cooperation with ICESCO and which are aimed at highlighting the capital’s cultural richness and diversity.

Mrs. Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick expressed her delight at the launch of this celebration and stressed that the region has established a specialized committee in charge of promoting Nouakchott’s tangible and intangible heritage in cooperation with all relevant authorities.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), indicated that thanks to ICESCO’s outstanding Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, the celebrated cities will become major cultural destinations.

In a video-recorded address, Dr. Nevine Al-Kilani, Egyptian Minister of Culture, stated that the selection of Nouakchott as culture capital in the Islamic world for 2023 is an opportunity to internationally promote the city as a major cultural hub.

In his address, Mr. Mohamed Ould Soueidatt, Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, Chairman of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, noted that the selection of the city as culture capital reflects ICESCO’s recognition of the cultural prominence of both Nouakchott and Mauritania at the regional and international levels.
Following the ceremony, H.E. Mauritanian President, accompanied by ICESCO DG and senior officials, visited the exhibitions organized as part of the celebration which showcase the Mauritanian heritage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of meetings with several Mauritanian officials on the first day of his official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to attend the launching ceremony of the celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

Dr. AlMalik and his accompanying delegation met with Dr. Houssein Ould Meddou, Head of Mauritania’s High Authority for Press and Broadcasting (HAPA), and together discussed a set of proposals to ensure the media’s contribution to the success of the celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023. During the meeting, which was held on Thursday, 5 January 2023, the two parties also explored means for fostering cooperation between ICESCO and the Authority in training and building the capacities of journalists and media professionals, particularly in consolidating peace and combating hatred, and harnessing modern technologies and artificial intelligence for the development of the media industry.

Dr. AlMalik visited the headquarters of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, where he was received by Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Commission, who welcomed ICESCO DG and his accompanying delegation and commended ICESCO’s support for Mauritania’s efforts in the educational, scientific and cultural fields.

After the meeting, ICESCO DG and his accompanying delegation met with the higher committee in charge of supervising the celebration’s organization, which comprised mostly of representatives from Mauritanian ministries. The parties emphasized that they will pursue their joint efforts for a successful celebration and will follow up on the implementation of the activities planned throughout the year.

Dr. AlMalik then took part in a cultural symposium organized by the Mouhitt Center for Development, Women and Peace in Nouakchott, where he was received by Dr. Mekfoula Mint Akah, President of the Center, in the presence of a host of female and male authors and poets who discussed traditional Mauritanian literature and poetry.

His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Nouakchott.

At the outset of the meeting, which was held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, ICESCO Director-General (DG) expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to His Excellency the Mauritanian President for his generous patronage of the celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023, and his honor to preside over the launching ceremony of the celebration on Friday, January 6, 2023.

ICESCO DG also expressed his thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the Mauritanian government, the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and the Higher Committee for the celebration, in arranging and coordinating with ICESCO for the success of the celebration, noting the interest he had felt in the celebration since his arrival in Nouakchott.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main components of the new vision of the Cultural Capitals of the Islamic World Programme, which goes hand in hand with ICESCO’s priorities in anticipating the future, preserving and valorizing heritage in the Islamic world, encouraging innovation as well as investing in modern technology and its applications to achieve sustainable development.

He noted the importance of inscribing the Mahdara on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists and the Organization’s desire to introduce this experience of traditional education in Mauritania to the Islamic world countries and beyond.

For his part, His Excellency the Mauritanian President commended the development and modernization that ICESCO has witnessed in recent years, noting that His Excellency is following the Organization’s efforts in supporting its Member States, including Mauritania, in the fields of education, science and culture.

His Excellency the Mauritanian President also commended ICESCO’s efforts in inscribing historical sites and cultural elements on its Islamic World Heritage Lists, and the Organization’s awareness of cultural diversity in Mauritania when inscribing these sites.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Ms. Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of the Nouakchott Region, Chair of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (ULCG), on the first day of his official visit to Mauritania to attend the launch ceremony of the Celebration of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2023.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, 5 January 2023, the President of Nouakchott Region welcomed ICESCO DG and his delegation and expressed her happiness at celebrating Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2023.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his hope that Nouakchott would be a role model for other culture capitals in the Islamic world and contribute to enriching ICESCO’s Culture Capitals in the Islamic World Programme, within the framework of its new vision, which stresses the importance of cultural capital and endeavors to promote the image of these cities and turn them into cultural destinations.

Dr. AlMalik also reviewed the mainlines of the Programme and the activities that ICESCO will implement, in cooperation with the Mauritanian authorities, within the framework of the celebration, calling on Nouakchott Region to propose the programs or activities it deems appropriate for implementation, in line with the needs of the citizens of the Mauritanian capital.

Mrs. Fatimetou Abdel Malick stressed that the Nouakchott Region will exert every effort to ensure the success of this outstanding cultural celebration, noting that the city has many adequate facilities for the celebration activities, including the cultural village, which will host many cultural activities and festivals.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed on close cooperation and regular coordination to ensure the success of the programs and activities of the celebration.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), started an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania with a meeting with Mr. Mohamed Ould Soueidatt, Mauritanian Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, Chairman of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and together they discussed developments in cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania in the Organization’s areas of competence.

During the meeting, which was held on, Thursday, 5 January 2023, at the Ministry headquarters in Nouakchott, the two parties emphasized their keenness to pursue the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Mauritanian institutions specialized in the Organization’s areas of action, particularly in light of the celebration programme of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2023, which features a vast array of activities and projects that will be implemented in the capital and other Mauritanian cities.

Dr. AlMalik noted that selecting Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023 is an appreciation of the city’s rich heritage and history and outstanding luminaries and historians and its contributions to the cultural, artistic and literary heritage of the Islamic world throughout history, stating that ICESCO’s celebration of cultural capitals originates from its awareness of the importance of the cultural capital and rests upon an endeavor to enhance the image of these cities and help turn them into prominent cultural destinations.

The two parties reviewed the major programmes and initiatives to be implemented during the current year, which are geared towards preserving and valorizing the Mauritanian heritage sites inscribed on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, supporting heritage protection institutions in Mauritania, and training heritage professionals. The meeting also touched upon holding various cultural conferences, seminars, festivals and exhibitions, building the capacities of youth and women, supporting the cultural economy and tourism, and launching a range of cultural competitions and awards.

For his part, Mr. Soueidatt lauded ICESCO’s efforts towards supporting its Member States in the educational, scientific and cultural fields, and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the Organization’s selection of Nouakchott as culture capital in the Islamic world for 2023.
He reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s support for ICESCO and its keenness to pursue cooperation with the Organization.

The meeting brought together Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission and ICESCO DG’s accompanying delegation which was composed of heads of sectors and directors of departments at the Organization.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, Supervisor General of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, to discuss cooperation prospects between the two sides in order to enhance development and reconstruction efforts in Yemen.

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, 29 December 2022 at the headquarters of the Program in Riyadh, focused on cooperation between the two sides in the development of curricula, support for youth, preservation and promotion of heritage, and training for its protection.

The meeting also discussed the projects and initiatives of the Program in the different Yemeni governorates. Dr. AlMalik praised the contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the fields of education and culture as well as to the various vital sectors in order to strengthen the Yemeni capacities and executives through the said Program.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of coordinating development efforts and actions in Yemen in the upcoming days, in cooperation with the Yemeni government, to support efforts geared to improve the living conditions of the Yemeni people.

The two parties agreed that ICESCO would suggest and present some programs and projects to the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, for approval and agreement on their joint implementation during the year 2023.