Category: News

At the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, received the Certificate of Honor of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in recognition of his efforts to support culture and the arts in the Islamic world.

In a ceremony held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Amb. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco, presented the Certificate to the Director-General on behalf of Mr. Amandos Aknaev, President of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This represents another recognition of Dr. AlMalik’s sustained efforts to promote culture, plastic arts, music, literature, architecture, poetry, and heritage, as well as his remarkable endeavors to consolidate the role of creativity as a pillar of sustainable development and civilizational dialogue.

In his remarks on this occasion, the Director-General expressed his sincere gratitude for being the recipient of such a certificate, stressing that it reflects appreciation of ICESCO’s message and role in preserving cultural identity, anchoring the values of beauty and knowledge, and fostering cultural cooperation among the Member States.

Moreover, the Director-General underlined ICESCO’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting culture and the arts as tools for bringing people together and promoting peace.

This occasion reflects the strong cultural ties between sister countries and the shared will to promote cultural action toward wider horizons of cooperation and synergy.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, to discuss mechanisms for jointly organizing several activities and international conferences in environment, heritage, and education.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the level of partnership between ICESCO and Kazakhstan, which has been reflected in the organization of international symposia, conferences, and exhibitions. He noted ICESCO’s commitment to ensuring a strong and impactful presence at the upcoming Regional Ecological Summit in Kazakhstan, scheduled for April, in line with the Organization’s efforts to advance regional solutions to climate change challenges and environmental preservation.

For her part, Ambassador Sailaukyzy commended ICESCO’s support for the efforts of its Member States to revive their history, highlight their cultures, and protect their civilizational heritage, in addition to raising awareness of the contributions of prominent figures of the Islamic world throughout history. She affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to jointly organize with ICESCO a conference on Abu Nasr Al-Farabi in Astana.

The meeting was attended by Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, held a regional workshop on “Printed and Digital Curricula and Educational Materials for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers.” The workshop benefited 184 trainees attending in person and online, from among educational professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers in 15 countries across Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Held at the Mishkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat on 10 and 12 February 2026, the workshop featured presentations by educational training expert Redha Arrejibi, who discussed the principles, foundations, and procedures for designing modern textbooks for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers that take into account diverse learning environments and respond to the needs of various learner groups.

Discussions focused on the role of educational supervisors in the preparation of educational content, the enhancement of teachers’ use of textbooks, and the development of both printed and digital curricula and materials.

Mr. Arrejibi also led practical sessions based on collaborative group work, during which participants trained on evaluating an educational program that integrates printed textbooks and an electronic platform to teach Arabic to non-Arabic-speaking primary school students, using the Granada Educational Foundation platform as a model.

This workshop is the sixth within the “Mishkat Educational Leadership Programme” for the 2025–2026 academic year, implemented by ICESCO in partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences and in academic cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Beni Mellal, Kingdom of Morocco. The programme aims to train hundreds of leading professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

The Media and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Open University in the State of Kuwait (AOU) held a meeting to explore potential avenues of cooperation in media, the exchange of expertise, and capacity-building for media professionals.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the University’s headquarters, Dr. Barakat Al-Wegyan, Director of the Communication Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, reviewed the Organization’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading universities across the Islamic world and to enhance communication, as well as knowledge and scientific exchange, among them. He noted that the Sector is implementing training programs and pioneering projects with specialized faculties in the field of journalism and media for the benefit of young media professionals and journalists.

For his part, Dr. Salah Alhammadi, Director of the Arab Open University in the State of Kuwait, emphasized the importance of cooperation between academic institutions and international organizations, noting the University’s commitment to mobilizing its academic and media capabilities to support joint programs, achieve their objectives, and employ artificial intelligence applications in daily practices.

The two sides discussed a set of quality media projects scheduled for launch in the upcoming period to support a number of initiatives in the fields of media, communication, culture, and science, in addition to leveraging digital media and modern social media platforms to disseminate knowledge, enhance societal awareness, and build media capacities in the countries of the Islamic world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), held a specialized masterclass titled “Pioneering Intelligent Connectivity for the Future of Generative AI,” with the participation of more than 40 researchers from ICESCO’s Member States.

ICESCO was represented at the session, held in person at its headquarters and online on Monday, 16 February 2026, by Dr. Adel Smeda, Supervisor of the Science and Environment Sector, and by sector experts Dr. Issam Krimi and Dr. Wissam Chehade.

The representatives of ICESCO stressed that this initiative falls within the Organization’s efforts to advance comprehensive digital transformation by supporting the expansion of connectivity infrastructure across Member States, in a way that promotes broader inclusion in the knowledge economy, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

They added that the workshop aligns with ICESCO’s endeavors to develop more inclusive digital ecosystems and broaden prospects for research cooperation in emerging technologies, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and efforts to reduce digital divides across regions and communities.

The masterclass was delivered by Prof. Merouane Debbah, 6G Research Center Director at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates, who presented the outlook for emerging connectivity solutions and their role in enabling AI-driven communication among devices and agents, in a manner that supports innovation and expands access to advanced digital services.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is launching its annual Ramadan series, “Ramadan Whiffs” and “Intellectual Sparks,” for 1447 A.H./2026 A.D. The videos form part of the Organization’s “ICESCO Digital Home” initiative and will be broadcast across its official social media platforms.

Throughout the holy month, episodes of the seventh season will be posted daily, except on Sundays. The series will feature prominent intellectual, cultural, and religious figures from within and beyond the Islamic world, who will present and reflect on key contemporary issues and challenges across fields with intellectual, cultural, and ethical dimensions.

Through this initiative, ICESCO seeks to promote cultural and religious values by delivering focused and meaningful messages grounded in an authentic religious perspective of peace, tolerance, and coexistence, and anchored in a close link between moral development and enlightenment. The Organization also aims to enrich dialogue on major issues and emerging ideas, contribute to renewing and enhancing the fields of thought, culture, knowledge, literature, and science, and build a bridge between leading religious, cultural, and intellectual figures and the wider public to disseminate sound knowledge.

Reflecting the bonds of brotherhood that unite the eastern and western regions of the Islamic world, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic signed a promising tripartite strategic partnership agreement aimed at rehabilitating 100 damaged schools and constructing 10 new educational facilities in Syria, with a total budget of USD 30 million, in support of the country’s recovery efforts.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General; Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan; and Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education and Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

The signing ceremony opened with remarks by Dr. AlMalik, who emphasized that the occasion reflects a spirit of genuine cooperation and a shared commitment to generously supporting the reconstruction of Syrian schools and strengthening a partnership that places education at the heart of development, expressing his deep appreciation to H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and to the Azerbaijani government for this noble initiative that demonstrates a deep understanding of the value of education and its impact on social stability and on shaping the future.

ICESCO’s Director-General noted that Syria is moving with unwavering determination toward rehabilitating its educational institutions and enhancing their readiness to serve future generations, particularly after the severe damage to more than seven thousand schools. He praised the national Syrian efforts under the leadership of H.E. President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the contributions of brotherly and friendly countries supporting these efforts, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, alongside support from several international organizations concerned with educational development.

For his part, Mr. Amrullayev affirmed that ICESCO and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Science and Education enjoy close cooperation built on mutual trust, noting that the partnership agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, expanding access to knowledge, and achieving sustainable development, as supporting Syria in strengthening its educational infrastructure aligns with his country’s firm belief that education is the driving force of development and social progress.

Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko expressed his deep appreciation to ICESCO, describing it as a civilizational beacon carrying out the cultural mission of the Islamic world, and commending the Organization’s relentless efforts in serving educational causes.

The Syrian Minister also extended profound gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan, its government, and its people for their noble support, which reflects the highest meanings of Islamic solidarity and human compassion, reaffirming his country’s unwavering belief that education is the key to sustainable development and the true bridge toward building a new Syria.

The agreement, which extends to 31 December 2030, establishes a strategic partnership among the three parties. Azerbaijan will provide financial support, while ICESCO will oversee the implementation of the agreement’s provisions in cooperation with the relevant Syrian authorities, with the goal of revitalizing the educational sector through rehabilitating its infrastructure and strengthening its institutions.