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Amid a festive Ramadan atmosphere and the joyful laughs of children in their traditional attires highlighting the richness and diversity of the Islamic world, the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted a celebration day under the theme, “ I am fasting today,” welcoming 90 children from a number of its Member States.

The day, organized by ICESCO on Saturday, April 15, 2023, aimed at introducing the participating children to the role of fasting in consolidating the values ​​of compassion, cooperation and solidarity among Muslim individuals and communities.

The event saw the participation of children between the ages of 7 and 12, from among the children of members of diplomatic missions and expatriates from the Member States residing in the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as children of ICESCO staff members.

The day served as a platform to share insights about the customs and traditions of their countries during the holy month of Ramadan.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, was keen to attend this celebration and accompany the children in various cultural activities.

He also encouraged them to talk about their artistic and cultural hobbies and shared with them the benefits of fasting such as self-discipline and teaching lofty values ​​and morals.

The program featured cultural, educational and artistic activities, which kicked off with two reciters reciting verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a segment of madih, performed by a group of youngsters participating in the ceremony.

The children were introduced to several religious values, the significance of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr.

They also participated in various cultural activities in an atmosphere of fun and joy, notably drawing and coloring workshops, and decorating girls’ hands with henna, in addition to educational games and contests suitable for young ages.

The children also listened to a number of tales and stories related to fasting in the month of Ramadan, narrated by the storyteller Muhammad Soussi Alawi Hashem, known as Baba Ashour, a research professor in heritage in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Following the activities, ICESCO held an Iftar reception in honor of the participating children.

The celebration concluded with the distribution of gifts to the children, including books on the Prophet’s Seerah and copies of the Holy Qur’an.

The International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which is hosted by the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), will return to the visiting hours that were followed before the blessed month of Ramadan, after a week-long holiday on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr starting from Monday, April 17. It will open its doors to the public again as of Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

After this holiday, visiting hours for the Exhibition and Museum will start from 10:00 am and finish at 6:00 pm Rabat time, from Tuesday to Sunday.

The International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters is witnessing an increasing interest from all age groups from different Moroccan cities and residents and guests of the Kingdom, as the number of its visitors has now exceeded one million and 200 thousand visitors since its opening to the general public on November 28, 2022, which is the first of its kind outside its headquarters in Medina, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ICESCO’s headquarters hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization is the fruit of the strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League (MWL) and Morocco’s Mohammadia League of Scholars, Under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.

The International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization seek to showcase the message of Islam and its values of justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence and moderation from the Holy Quran, Prophet’s Sunnah (PBUH) and the bright Islamic history through using the latest technologies and artificial intelligence.

The Exhibition and the Museum receive visitors for free by booking tickets for individuals via the link: http://tickets.ma.salamfairs.com.sa/. For booking a group visit, please contact the customer service representative on the phone number:  00212761222222.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has won the Grand Prize for Heritage in its first edition, in the category of international organizations, which is awarded by the Association for the Protection and Promotion of Moroccan Heritage, in recognition of ICESCO’s initiatives in the field of preserving and safeguarding the Islamic world heritage, publicizing it and inscribing it on heritage lists.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), received the Prize from Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, during a ceremony held on the evening of Friday, April 7, 2023, at the archaeological site of Chellah in Rabat, attended by senior officials, public personalities and heritage experts.

The Grand Prize for Heritage in the category of personalities was won by Mr. André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, President of the Three Cultures Foundation and President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, in recognition of his efforts in creating the House of Memory in Essaouira.

The award was received on his behalf by Dr. Said Amzazi, former Minister of National Education, Vocational Training and Higher Education and Scientific Research, while the Al Moultaqa Foundation won the award in the category of non-governmental organizations.

The ceremony witnessed the awarding of a commemorative shield to the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, in recognition of his efforts in the field of cultural heritage protection and safeguarding in the Kingdom of Morocco.

In his address at the ceremony, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s key efforts in promoting culture and enhancing the tangible and intangible heritage of the countries of the Islamic world, as well as contributing to its protection and safeguarding through the establishment of a specialized heritage center and the inscription of more than 600 historical sites and cultural heritage elements on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists, stressing that the Organization is working to inscribe 1000 sites and elements by the end of 2025.

He also pointed out that ICESCO uses modern technology and artificial intelligence applications to overcome the challenges of preserving cultural heritage in the Islamic world.

ICESCO DG expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Association for the Protection and Promotion of Moroccan Heritage and Al Multaqa Foundation, stressing his pride that ICESCO has won the Grand Prize for Heritage in its first edition, given the fact that it came from the Kingdom of Morocco which is one of the countries that exert the highest efforts in celebrating culture and promoting heritage.

On the occasion of World Health Day, the Science and Technology Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held today, Friday, April 7, 2023, a symposium under the theme, “Health for All” to discuss ways and mechanisms to promote healthcare in the countries of the Islamic world.

The symposium saw the participation of several experts and specialists in the fields of healthcare, genetics, modern technology and artificial intelligence.

In his opening remark at the Symposium, held via videoconference, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to contribute to improving healthcare in its Member States, through a number of programs and projects, notably, ICESCO Program for Improving Water and Sanitation and Hygiene Services in 1000 Rural Schools in the Islamic World, the Health Consortium Initiative, which includes research centers and institutes specialized in the field of health in some Member States, and scientific networks that aim to organize training sessions for the benefit of workers in the field.

The event brought together scientists from Pakistan, Malaysia, Ghana and the United States of America, who stressed the need to intensify international and regional efforts to increase investment in modern technology and artificial intelligence to benefit from their applications in the field of health.

They also highlighted the importance of involving governments, international and regional organizations and individuals in the process of innovation and training of specialized professionals in the health sector.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) expresses its sincere thanks and profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for the unwavering support to the Organization’s efforts, plans, programmes and activities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, commended the outstanding partnership between the Organization and many Saudi institutions, in close coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, as presided by Prince Badr bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Culture, which is manifested in many forms of strong cooperation. Such productive relation is in line with the endeavor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance the roles of international organizations, especially those operating in the fields of education, culture and science, and in harmony with the Kingdom Vision 2030 aimed at exploring new prospects for intelligent creativity in various socio-economic and cultural activities.
Dr. AlMalik added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set an example for the efforts geared towards supporting the Organization by fulfilling all its financial obligations to ICESCO, amounting to eighteen million seven hundred thousand dollars, which constitutes an unprecedented initiative mirroring the steady progress and successful achievements within ICESCO.

In this regard, Dr. AlMalik has sent two letters of thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, expressing the Organization’s pride in this continued support, which will certainly result in remarkable achievements, Allah willing, in many parts of our Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Ibrahim Letos, Director General of the European Academy for Development and Research, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and the Academy.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday (April 5, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Hisham Bachiri, External Relations Officer at the Academy, Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue at ICESCO, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department at ICESCO, the two parties discussed the mechanisms for implementing their agreement and enhancing communication with intellectuals and thinkers in the European Union countries to enrich moderation and develop cultural relations.

The meeting touched on the arrangements for holding the International Forum of the Centers for Civilizational Dialogue in cooperation between ICESCO and the Academy.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties stressed the need to promote and expand their partnership.

Each year on April 7, the world commemorates World Health Day to raise awareness of the importance of promoting the health sector worldwide despite adverse social and economic circumstances. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) joins the international community in celebrating this year’s theme: “Health for All,” to confirm its commitment to developing programs and activities that contribute to the improvement of the health sector in the Islamic world countries.

Believing that health is a basic human right and a necessary component of sustainable development, ICESCO seeks to strengthen the efforts of its Member States in developing healthcare systems, implementing comprehensive health coverage policies and raising awareness about sanitation and health education, through launching programs to build Health Consortia that include research centers and institutes specialized in the field of health in several Member States, as well as scientific networks and training sessions for the benefit of health professionals.

ICESCO calls on governments, international and regional organizations and individuals to innovate in the field of health and to benefit from modern technology applications, artificial intelligence and genomics in order to anticipate genetic diseases and find their cures as well as prevent infectious diseases. The Organization also stresses the need to increase investment in entrepreneurship in the field of health and to qualify health professionals.

ICESCO considers that the health sector is an accurate indicator of our societies’ resilience. Therefore, the Organization stresses the importance of adhering to the values of fairness and equality, respecting the privacy of individuals in this field and encouraging scientific research to provide comprehensive health care for all.

On the sixth of April of every year, the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is an opportunity to discover the positive role that sport and physical activity play in strengthening social ties, achieving sustainable development and consolidating the values of coexistence, peace and human rights all over the world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) seizes this opportunity to stress the pivotal role of sports in building more inclusive and prosperous societies and calls for concerted efforts and joint action to enhance the positive impact of sports. This contributes to ensuring physical and mental health and achieving well-being within peaceful and sustainable societies by encouraging innovative initiatives aimed at developing the skills of women, youth and children.

As part of its great interest in sports, ICESCO has launched several programmes and activities that hinge upon sports as a main tool for achieving social change and integration, most notably the Programme for the Rehabilitation of Street Children through Football, and the ICESCO Marathon for Social Cohesion. The Organization also held the “Women in Sports Forum,” which emphasized the importance of promoting women’s participation in sports.

Moreover, ICESCO strives through its “Sport for Social Change” initiative to mobilize efforts and launch practical programs and projects aimed at qualifying women, encouraging girls to become leaders in their fields of work, building more resilient societies and achieving positive change through sports activities. The Organization also seeks to launch the Sports Diplomacy Programme and the Programme of International Youth Volunteers in Sport.

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of meetings in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, with a group of officials in several ministries and institutions, namely Dr. Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, Technology Transfer and National Education, Chair of the Gabonese National Commission, and together they reviewed the latest developments in the partnership between ICESCO and Gabon and discussed the implementation plans for joint programs and projects for the period from 2023 to 2027.

During their visit to Libreville on March 27-30, 2023, at the invitation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Gabonese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, the ICESCO delegation, which comprised of Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department, discussed the mechanisms for implementing the bilateral action plan stipulated in the partnership agreement signed between ICESCO and Gabon, along with the arrangements for launching the ICESCO Chair “Girls, Women and Society” at Omar Bongo University.

The ICESCO/Gabon 2013-2017 Action Plan is aimed at implementing a set of programs and projects in the areas of culture, education, science, technology and the Arabic language, while prioritizing the development of human capital, particularly by building the capacities of women and youth, supporting women’s issues, promoting peace and dialogue, valorizing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, integrating technology into educational systems and training teachers of Arabic to non-Arabic speakers in Gabon.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that the Organization’s programmes and projects are the fruits of sustained consultations with the Member States National Commissions to promote capacity-building and encourage creativity and innovation in a world that is heading towards a new development model in which new professions and artificial intelligence are a major focus.

This was part of the speech he delivered on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, at the opening of the Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, under the chairmanship of Dr. Chakib Benmoussa, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chairman of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and in the presence of Mr. Jamal Dine Elaloua, Secretary General of the Commission, and members of the Commission.

ICESCO DG began his address by congratulating the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture on the occasion of its 65th anniversary, commending the strong and fruitful relations of cooperation and coordination between the Organization and the Commission.

He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting development efforts in the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, namely the seat country, the Kingdom of Morocco, in which ICESCO enjoys continuous support from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, and the Moroccan government.

He pointed out that the Organization adopted the theme “the ICESCO you want” as a recognition of the key role assumed by the National Commissions in guiding international organizations towards making their efforts more efficient and more responsive to their national needs in their fields of competence.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by calling for pooling efforts to strike a balance between the preservation of the components of heritage, cultural and linguistic originality, and encouragement of innovation and creativity, wishing success for the Commission’s meeting.

Then, a Special Session was dedicated to celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, to announce the winners of the first edition of the National Commission’s Awards, which were launched in 2022 in partnership with ICESCO, as well as the publishing of a book in French, sponsored by the Organization and the National Commission, entitled “If the Wall of Fez Could Speak”, by Ms. Naima Berrada.