Category: Front Page|News

Amid the brutal Israeli killings and destruction, the rate of which is unprecedented, and the hardhearted stance of the Zionist government on turning a deaf ear to all the global appeals to halt the Palestinian bloodshed, the Islamic World Educational and Scientific Organization Culture (ICESCO) reiterates its condemnation of this barbaric behavior, which ignores all appeals, with no light at the end of this tunnel of oppression and injustice.

ICESCO calls upon the entire world, including policy leaders, international and regional organizations, and justice institutions, many of which still have a conscience, and upon humanity as a whole to stand united against this hostile Israeli behavior, which is heedlessly leading the world into anarchy that will spare no place or person.

Moreover, ICESCO renews with all confidence its firm and unwavering support for our people in Gaza, Rafah and all the Palestinian territories, and strongly condemns the ongoing policy of burning defenseless and displaced refugee camps without consideration for children, who have become deliberate targets of these massacres, or the elderly, who can no longer find any refuge amid the scorched-earth policy adopted by the Zionist entity, displacing the people of Gaza from their homes and chasing the wounded in Rafah, and ignoring the decisions of the International Court of Justice and other halls of global justice.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is pleased to announce the launch of its photography contest, “Marrakech Heritage through the Eyes of Youth”, as part of the celebration of Marrakech as Culture Capital in the Islamic for 2024.

The contest aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the city and encourage youth from the Islamic world and beyond to showcase their talents and creativity in documenting cultural heritage.

The contest offers prizes in two categories: Tangible Cultural Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the three winners from each category receiving USD 500, USD 350, and USD250, respectively. The Contest also offers incentive prizes for outstanding works ranking fourth and fifth, amounting to USD100.

A committee of experts will evaluate the participating works to select the winners, who will be awarded during the closing ceremony of the celebrations of Marrakesh Culture Capital in the Islamic World. Winning works will also be displayed in a special exhibition.

The contest is open for participants up to the age of 35 to submit 5 to 10 original, high-quality photographs that have not been previously published, along with a declaration of intellectual property rights to ICESCO. Deadline for submissions is set for October 30, 2024.

For more information on the Contest, please contact us at prixphotographie.kech@icesco.org

The two-day International Conference “The Dictionary and its Uses in Teaching Arabic to Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers: Assessment and Development,” organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Doha Historical Dictionary of Arabic Language Establishment, concluded its proceedings at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The Conference featured several scientific research, rich discussions, and an exchange of experiences and ideas among a host of scientists and researchers from diverse scientific institutions across multiple countries.

The Conference’s sessions, held in-person and live-streamed, revolved around five main themes: “Approaches to the Relationship between Dictionaries and Language Teaching,” “Educational Uses of Traditional Dictionaries for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers,” “Educational Uses of Modern Dictionaries for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers,” “Doha Historical Dictionary: Prospects and Educational Uses for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers, and “Standards for Developing an Arabic Dictionary for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers.” Moreover, Mishkat Hall hosted parallel sessions for international experts.

The participating experts issued a set of recommendations in the Conference’s closing statement. These recommendations called for benefiting from the experiences of previous dictionaries for Arabic and non-Arabic speakers, fostering a deeper and newer understanding and vision to develop innovative educational tools that advance and update the Arabic linguistic repertoire, and developing an Arabic dictionary with frequency-ranked lists of words.

Furthermore, the Conference’s closing statement emphasized the necessity of directing particular attention to dictionaries as an educational and pedagogical tool and ensuring their proper use by taking into account the cultural context.

The Conference called for educational reform based on communicative approaches to improve the teaching practices for Arabic and non-Arabic speakers, balancing the use of paper and electronic dictionaries and disseminating the Conference’s papers and recommendations to national, regional, and international institutions concerned with teaching and learning Arabic.

In addition, the International Conference will publish a two-volume proceedings book that compiles 35 peer-reviewed papers, selected by a dedicated scientific jury from a pool of 120 papers, authored by specialized experts and researchers from various universities and educational institutions worldwide. The papers of the proceedings book were organized into four chapters: “Educational Uses of Dictionaries for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers,” “Doha Historical Dictionary: Prospects and Educational Uses for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers,“ “Standards for Developing an Arabic Dictionary for Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers,” and “Approaches to the Relationship between Dictionaries and Language Teaching.”

Celebrated each May 18th, this year’s International Museum Day theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” highlights the role of these cultural institutions, which number 3,000 across the Islamic world, in advancing education, scientific research and heritage preservation.

On this occasion, which has been celebrated worldwide since 1977, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) calls upon its Member States and the world to strengthen the role of museums in education and research and to engage youth and students in heritage preservation. ICESCO’s call stems from its belief in the significance of museums to humanity, as they feature its intellectual treasures, preserve heritage, and convey cross-generational constructive messages.

ICESCO reiterates its unwavering support for museums across the Islamic world, bolstering their status as beacons of education and awareness-raising. This is achieved through the provision of technical support and training to museum professionals, and by fostering cooperation and exchange of expertise and knowledge between museums to amplify their role in achieving sustainable development and safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

Driven by a deep-seated belief in museums’ significance to the collective memory of Islamic world countries, ICESCO launched several initiatives in the field. These include the publication of the “Museums of African Region” in 2021, hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization in its headquarters since 2022, and issuing a guide on the protection and valorization of museum exhibits in the Islamic world in 2023.

ICESCO currently supports a pioneering project geared toward green transformation and the use of clean energy. The project involves converting heritage sites and museums in Egypt to solar energy, a sustainable alternative that does not affect the environment and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.

Monday, May 6, 2024, marked the launch of the International Conference on the Translation of the Meanings of the Holy Qur’an, organized by the Institute of the Holy Quran in Tripoli, Libya, spanning over three days. The Conference was held under the auspices of the Libyan Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, and with scientific guidance from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in the presence of a high-level delegation from the Organization, headed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG).

Held under the theme: “Accurate Translation of the Meanings of the Quran as a Means of Spreading Islam,” the Conference witnessed a high-level attendance of officials, scholars, and distinguished researchers from both Muslim and non-Muslim countries.

The Conference aims to study current translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran, discuss the difficulties associated with these translations and propose appropriate solutions. It also seeks to stimulate research in the field, plan the completion of simplified and reliable translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran into the most widely spoken languages, as well as to standardize translations of the Holy Quran’s meanings.

On its first day, the plenary sessions of the Conference kicked off with the participation of experts from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Nigeria, and Oman, to discuss the Conference’s topics, which include: the rhetorical characteristics of the Quranic text between translation and interpretation, the cultural characteristics of the language of the Holy Quran and the translation of its meanings, the Holy Quran as a factor of influence in translation throughout history, translation theories and their role in studying the Holy Quran, and the academic and research role in translating the meanings of the Holy Quran.

ICESCO’s scientific sponsorship for this international conference comes within the framework of the Organization’s efforts aimed at presenting the true and noble image of our tolerant religion and countering hate speech and violence. Among these efforts is ICESCO’s pioneering initiative “Read it to Understand it,” as a positive response to the despicable campaigns directing offense at the Book of Allah Almighty.

ICESCO’s delegation participating in the conference includes Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, Ambassador Khalid Fatahalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. AHMED Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the General Directorate.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the prestigious Ez-Zitouna University, in Tunisia, delivered a scientific lecture, entitled “Verifying heritage masterpieces: Ad-Dīwān Al-Kabir of Ibn al-Arabi as a model”, which saw the attendance of a large number of professors, researchers and students. The university leaders then paid tribute to Dr. Benarfa for his scientific contributions and on the occasion of receiving the Arab World Heritage Book of the Year Award 2024.

The lecture, organized by the Department of Fundamentals of Religion at the Higher Institute of Islamic Civilization at Ez-Zitouna University, came at the invitation of its president, Dr. Abdellatif Bouazizi, and was presented by Dr. Abdeljalil Salem, who elaborated on the biography of Dr. Benarfa, his scientific achievements and the occasion of honoring him.

The lecture constituted an opportunity to enhance communication and enrich discussion with students and researchers, and share ideas, proposals and experiences in such a way as to contribute to developing the scientific and academic skills of university students given the importance of the topic in enriching scientific research in this field of studies.

Following the lecture, Dr. Benarfa met with Dr. Bouazizi, to discuss aspects of cooperation between ICESCO and Ez-Zitouna University. ICESCO Deputy DG also visited the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts “Beit al-Hikma”, met with its President, Dr. Mahmoud Ben Ramadan, and discussed holding a joint international symposium between ICESCO and the Academy.

The verification of the four-volume Dīwān, of Ibn al-’Arabi, issued by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, won the “2024 Arab World Heritage Book Award” from the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts and ALECSO. ICESCO Deputy DG was honored during the official celebration of the Arab Heritage Day, on April 19, 2024, in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

The sixth edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, UNESCO, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization, is still ongoing. The Forum, hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1 to 3, 2024, features distinguished participation from the ICESCO delegation, led by the Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik.

During the course of the session titled ” Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity,” Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Civilizational Dialogue, stressed the need to revitalize interfaith dialogue mechanisms, update its discourse, and trust in its importance during a plenary titled ” Confidence building through Interfaith Dialogue.” Moreover, he called for the inclusion of comparative religion topics in curricula to cultivate competent scientific capabilities in interreligious dialogue. Amb. Fathalrahman concluded by outlining ICESCO’s role in supporting dialogue among diverse cultures.

Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Heritage in the Islamic World, provided an overview of the Organization’s efforts in protecting and preserving heritage from climate change, highlighting key initiatives in this regard. He further emphasized the necessity of involving communities in heritage preservation to ensure the continuity of cultural values. Dr. Ndoro underscored ICESCO’s view of cultural heritage as a vital element in community recovery and resilience.

During his participation in a session titled “Safeguarding Our Past and Future: Cultural Heritage in the Face of Climate Change,” Dr. Hisham Al-Askari, Advisor to ICESCO’s DG, addressed the threat posed by climate change to cultural heritage and historical sites. Furthermore, he urged the protection of cultural heritage by enhancing dialogue and international cooperation, noting that innovative solutions from earth system sciences, big data science, and the exchange of best practices can mobilize collective action to protect cultural heritage, ensuring its resilience and accessibility to future generations.

ICESCO held a discussion session titled “Bridging Horizons: Silk Road’s Modern Dynamics and Global Impact,” moderated by Dr. Nazim Samadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Morocco, with the aim of introducing the Silk Road as one of the ancient trade routes, and highlighting its pivotal role in the development of civilization and fostering dialogue among peoples.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for giving proper attention to Sufi or mystical poetry, considering it a stream of Arabic poetry, in the same vein as Madeeh (eulogy of the Prophet Muhammad), noting that despite its importance in the lives of Muslims throughout history, it has not received the attention it deserves in the books of Arab literary history and public education.

This came in a scientific paper titled “Sufi Poetry as a Translator of Divine Knowledge,” presented by Dr. Benarafa on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the scientific seminar of the World Poetry Festival program at the Faculty of Arabic Language affiliated with Al-Qadi Ayyad University in Marrakech. The festival is organized by the House of Poetry in Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, ICESCO, and the Marrakech City Council, as part of the celebration of the Ochre City as the capital of culture in the Islamic world for 2024, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

After reviewing the major historical milestones of Madeeh poetry, Dr. Benarafa drew a clear distinction between Madeeh and Sufi poetry, emphasizing the characteristics of the latter and its prominent figures. He also indicated that Sufi poetry is an expression of States, Stations, Openings, Tastings, stages of spiritual education, and wayfaring. It may ascend and transcend, under the guidance of the realized ones among the Knowers (of Allah), until it becomes a purely mystical poetry, gravitating around the stages of true knowledge, and the levels of existence.

The World Poetry Festival, held over three days under the theme “Marrakech: The Renewed Poem”, features broad participation of poets from Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Türkiye, Bahrain, Senegal, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Yemen, Mali, Djibouti, and Morocco.

The festival’s agenda includes two scientific seminars, as well as a number of cultural, artistic, and educational activities at historical sites in Marrakech, in addition to the launching of two poetry competitions for students.

Responding to an invitation from the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), headed a delegation from the Organization during the proceedings of the annual meetings of the IsDB Group for 2024, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The meetings commenced today, Saturday April 27, 2024, and will continue until the 30th, coinciding with the golden jubilee celebration of the IsDB, marking 50 years since its establishment.

This year’s meetings are held under the theme: “Cherishing our Past, Charting our Future: Originality, Solidarity, and Prosperity,” with the high-level attendance of ministers of economy, planning, and finance from the Bank’s Member States, as well as representatives of various financial institutions, Islamic banks, the private sector, development agencies, and international and regional organizations.

ICESCO’s participation in these meetings comes within the framework of the strong and robust partnership it shares with the IsDB Group, and its commitment to deepening this effective partnership in service of its Member States, in areas of mutual expertise, and in support of developmental programs in the Islamic world, engaging its youth in development and equipping them with the necessary future leadership skills in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group aim to provide a global platform for decision-makers to discuss the most pressing economic challenges facing Islamic countries, and to explore current and future opportunities to advance social and economic development in these countries, through organizing a series of seminars, sessions, and meetings focusing on social and economic development, as well as regional and international cooperation.

The delegation from ICESCO participating in this year’s meetings includes Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Dinara Guliyeva, an expert in the sector.

The training session, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) affiliated with ICESCO, was launched as part of a program to enhance educational and digital skills for faculty members in universities and higher education institutions. The Program aims to train 600 professor-researchers from 12 Moroccan universities in the use of digital tools and open educational resources in teaching.

During the launch ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General for FUIW, emphasized that this Program provides a valuable opportunity for new professors and researchers to acquire digital educational skills and be equipped with innovative educational tools aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education.

The Program’s launch comes in implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed by ICESCO and the Ministry last February. Beneficiaries will undergo four full-year training courses covering five key areas: educational sciences and university teaching methods, digital teaching methods, e-learning, teaching on remote learning management platforms, media coverage basics for studio production, open education and open educational resources (OER), copyright and open license, and professional ethics and scientific integrity.