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Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education, Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, discussed ways to enhance their cooperation with a view to rebuilding the educational system in Syria. The discussions included reconstructing damaged schools, capacity-building for teachers, standardizing curricula, and reintegrating school dropouts.

During this meeting, held on Monday 18 August 2025 at the Ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, Dr. AlMalik underlined the Organization’s support for the development of education in Syria, emphasizing its commitment to contributing to the reconstruction of the Syrian educational system. He also highlighted several ICESCO programs implemented to promote education in its Member States, most notably the “Remedial Education Project for Dropout Girls in Yemen”, benefiting 19,000 girls, besides the project aiming to provide “Educational and Social Support for Displaced and Boarding School Girls” in the Republic of Burkina Faso.

The ICESCO Director-General highlighted the importance of integrating artificial intelligence applications into educational curricula, emphasizing that science and artificial intelligence are at the core of the Organization’s concerns. This has prompted ICESCO to issue the Riyadh Charter on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World and to devise programs and activities that keep pace with the latest developments in the digital field. He also proposed ICESCO’s participation in a conference on educational curricula development in Syria, with the aim of showcasing success stories from countries that made progress in this regard and benefiting from international best practices. The Director-General expressed the Organization’s readiness to receive a group of Syrian youth for training at its headquarters and participation in its various capacity-building programs.

During the Meeting, the two parties agreed to form a joint committee to study the needs of the Syrian Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Syrian National Commission, and to explore ways for ICESCO to contribute to providing the needed resources for educational development, in accordance with the identified priorities.

For his part, the Syrian Minister of Education indicated that the Ministry’s current priority is building schools, followed by devising and standardizing curricula and training teachers. He emphasized Syria’s openness to successful international experiences to keep pace with the developments, especially in the digital and artificial intelligence areas.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), leading a high-level delegation from the Organization, met with Mr. Mohammed Yassin Saleh, Minister of Culture of the Syrian Arab Republic. The discussions focused on joint cooperation projects in the fields of heritage preservation and valorization, foremost among them being declaring Damascus as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2027, and the restoration of the Waqf Library in Aleppo.

At the outset of the meeting, which took place on Monday 18 August 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep conviction that Syria is moving in the right direction with regard to its recovery and development efforts. Moreover, he reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting all aspects of national cultural activity, including arts, heritage, poetry, and literature, stressing that the proposal to designate Damascus as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World comes within the framework of the Organization’s ongoing support for Syria in this critical stage.

Dr. AlMalik also presented ICESCO’s offer to participate in the rehabilitation of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, under his personal supervision, in cooperation with the Ministries of Culture and Religious Endowments. He further noted that ICESCO is preparing to convene an international conference to launch the project for the restoration of the Waqf Library in Aleppo.
The DG emphasized that ICESCO is ready to dispatch a team of international experts to survey archaeological and heritage sites, assess their technical condition, and issue an accredited technical report. Such a report, he explained, would provide credible evidence of the damage sustained by these sites before the relevant institutions of the international community.
In this context, Dr. AlMalik urged the swift registration of Syrian heritage sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists, during the upcoming annual meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, to be held soon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

For his part, Mr. Saleh welcomed ICESCO’s initiative to support Syria in the cultural field, expressing his hope for the establishment of a permanent ICESCO office in Damascus. He also referred to the Ministry’s efforts to restore numerous heritage sites that were damaged over the past years.

At the close of the Meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Saleh exchanged shields and commemorative gifts.

AlMalik: We Seek to Be Part of the Efforts to Restore Syria to its Glory and Civilization

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the head of a high-level delegation from the Organization, met with Mr. Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen joint cooperation in the educational, scientific, and cultural fields.

At the beginning of the meeting, which took place on Sunday, 17 August 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Damascus, Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s keenness to support the Syrian State in its fields of competence, in logistical, technical, and financial aspects, and to establish distinguished international partnerships with the aim of implementing Syria’s programs, initiatives, and activities, stating: “We seek to be part of the efforts to restore Syria to its glory and civilization.”

Dr. AlMalik presented the possibility of declaring Damascus the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2027, within ICESCO’s program for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World. He stressed the Organization’s readiness to send a technical committee to survey the damage sustained by Syrian heritage sites during past years, in order to issue a detailed technical report that would constitute an admitted document contributing to Syrian efforts related to heritage restoration. In this regard, he called for the inscription of more heritage and archaeological sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

Dr. AlMalik also affirmed the Organization’s keenness to cooperate with Syrian entities in the fields of science, environment, and artificial intelligence, and to develop and reform the educational system by implementing training programs for teachers.

For his part, Mr. Al-Shaibani welcomed the ICESCO delegation, affirming that the visit is highly valued at all levels of the Syrian State, and that the Ministry is ready to cooperate with ICESCO during the coming period by providing all necessary facilities. Dr. AlMalik also addressed the possibility of preparing and training Syrian youth to work in international organizations through intensive training courses at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat.

The Syrian Foreign Minister explained that the State is giving the highest priority to education and its development during this period, within the framework of its vision based on investing in people, pointing out that the Ministry is working towards the return of Syrian competencies and scientific elites who had migrated, back to their homeland to contribute to rebuilding the Syrian State.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Mr. Al-Shaibani with ICESCO’s commemorative shield.

The ICESCO delegation included Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Sector of Media and Communication; Ms. Faizah Alaoui, Expert at the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence; Dr. Adham Hamawiya, Expert at the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers; and Mr. Mohammad Al-Absi, Expert at the Islamic World Heritage Center.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met on Sunday, 17 August 2025, with Dr. Marwan Alhalabi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Syrian Arab Republic, to discuss the development of cooperation in educational and academic fields, and support for higher education and scientific research.

This meeting, held in the Syrian capital Damascus, came within the framework of the official visit of the ICESCO Director-General at the head of a delegation from the Organization, reaffirming ICESCO’s support for the Syrian Arab Republic in its new phase.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere wishes for Syria to overcome its crisis, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to support Damascus in organizing various conferences and symposia, and the Organization’s readiness to cooperate in the field of academic studies and scientific research with the capabilities it possesses, particularly through strengthening partnership with the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, which is affiliated with the Organization and includes hundreds of prestigious universities, and to contribute to providing specialized training programs in cooperation with Syrian universities.

The ICESCO Director-General presented an overview of the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence and its role in conducting in-depth studies on the economy of the future and the new career paths, emphasizing that the future of sciences and AI constitutes a top priority for the Organization. He underscored the importance of aligning education with the rapid developments in these fields.

Dr. AlMalik also extended an invitation to the Syrian Minister to attend the Islamic Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to be held soon in Cairo, Egypt, and proposed dedicating a special session to discuss ways of developing education in Syria.

For his part, Dr. Alhalabi noted that Syria had suffered from academic isolation in recent years, which led to a major decline in scientific research. He expressed hope for strengthening communication and cooperation with all international bodies and organizations, foremost among them ICESCO, in order to provide scientific support in this regard. He also highlighted Syria’s efforts to achieve progress in the education sector, invest in youth, and enhance innovation through research incubators.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik invited Dr. Alhalabi to visit ICESCO headquarters in Rabat and presented him with the Organization’s shield in appreciation of his efforts.

The ICESCO delegation included:

• Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Sector of Media and Communication
• Ms. Faizah Alaoui, Expert at the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence
• Dr. Adham Hamawiya, Expert at the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers
• Mr. Mohammad Al-Absi, Expert at the Islamic World Heritage Center

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), announced the Organization’s full support for the efforts of the Syrian Arab Republic in the fields of education, science, and culture, through the provision of technical assistance and the establishment of international partnerships. This came during his participation on Sunday, 17 August 2025, at the head of a high-level delegation from the Organization, in the launch of the initiative “Give Me Back My School,” which was inaugurated by the Syrian Ministry of Education in a major ceremony in Damascus.

In his address during the launch ceremony, which was attended by several ministers, representatives of international organizations, and civil society, Dr. AlMalik praised the steps of the Syrian leadership, which is giving utmost priority to knowledge and education at this stage, out of the belief that they represent both the solution and the true beginning of Syria’s recovery. He added that this was clearly reflected in the launch of today’s initiative, stating: “The clearest proof that the country is regaining its vitality is the revival of its schools with renewed activity and brilliance.”

The ICESCO Director-General also highlighted the historic and scientific stature of Damascus throughout the ages, as it witnessed the brilliance of many prominent figures of Islamic civilization in various fields. He pointed out that Damascus was among the first cities to know formal schools, stressing that education there never ceased, even amid the sounds of battles that the city historically witnessed.

For his part, Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education, affirmed that the greatest challenge lies in ensuring that every child receives his right to education, especially as the Ministry prepares to welcome 1.5 million students who will return with their families from abroad in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Syrian Minister of Finance, Mohammed Yassar Barniya, stated that the education sector has become a top priority in government spending at present, particularly with the approach of the new academic year and the urgent need to rebuild destroyed schools. He noted that discussions are ongoing with international donor institutions, chiefly the Saudi Fund for Development, for joint cooperation in restoring these schools and in developing the entire educational process.

The launch of the “Give Me Back My School” initiative comes amid unprecedented challenges facing the education sector in Syria, where more than 7,000 out of 23,000 public and private schools have been destroyed. This has had a direct impact on the future of 4.2 million students in pre-university education. Figures also indicate that there are currently 2.4 million students who have dropped out of school, with expectations that the number of new dropouts will reach 1.6 million during the current year.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ambassador Haider Shiaa Al-Barrak, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Morocco, on Thursday, 31 July 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, following the Ambassador’s assumption of his diplomatic duties in Morocco.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the Iraqi Ambassador, congratulated him on his appointment, and wished him success in his mission. He also reviewed ICESCO’s mission, strategic objectives, and the qualitative developments witnessed in recent years. He emphasized ICESCO’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Iraq and develop joint programs in the fields of education, science, and culture, lauding the solid partnership between the two parties.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major milestones in ICESCO’s transformation, including its new organizational structure and name, program development, and the recruitment of distinguished competencies from various Member States to work within the Organization. He underscored that women represent nearly 50% of ICESCO’s leadership while youth constitute the majority of its staff, which has positively reflected on its performance and dynamism. He also commended the contributions of Iraqi staff working at ICESCO, praising their expertise and excellence.

Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik touched upon ICESCO’s efforts to integrate technological advancements and artificial intelligence into its programs, as well as the establishment of new specialized centers, including the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, the Center of Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, the Center of Poetry and Literature, the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and the Heritage Center, which plays a key role in inscribing Member States’ historical sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists, which now include over 724 historical sites and cultural elements.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik shed light on his recent visit to Iraq, conducted in December 2022, during which he participated in the sixth edition of the Ancient Civilizations Forum and met with several high-ranking officials, including the President and the Prime Minister. He described the visit as fruitful and constructive, expressing his keenness to revisit Iraq, especially with the proclamation of Baghdad as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026 under ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Program.

For his part, Ambassador Al-Barrak expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and praised the qualitative leap achieved by ICESCO, as well as its civilizational role in serving the Islamic world and enhancing its positive image on the international stage.

The Iraqi Ambassador affirmed his country’s keenness to further strengthen cooperation with ICESCO and develop bilateral projects in areas of mutual interest. He expressed pride in the presence of active Iraqi staff within the Organization and Iraq’s readiness to provide ICESCO with more national expertise in its areas of competence.

Ambassador Al-Barrak also highlighted Iraq’s interest in having several of its archaeological sites included on ICESCO’s Heritage List. He praised the Organization’s response to the Iraqi government’s request in this regard, submitted last February, as well as its efforts in this area.

At the end of the meeting, the Director-General of ICESCO accompanied his guest on a guided tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at the Organization’s headquarters. The Iraqi Ambassador had the opportunity to tour the exhibition, which uses modern interactive techniques to highlight the Seerah of the Prophet.