Category: News

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the first scientific symposium held in tribute to the scholar Moulay Mustapha bin Ahmed Alaoui (1912–2007). The event was organized by the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes under the theme: “Moulay Mustapha Ben Ahmed Alaoui: Patriot, Scholar, Politician, and Educator.”

Several national and academic figures took part in the symposium. The first session, opened with a lecture by Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, reviewed the intellectual and activist career of Moulay Mustapha Alaoui. This was followed by contributions from Dr. Mustapha El Ktiri, High Commissioner for Former Members of the Resistance and the Liberation Army; Dr. Idriss Khalifa, university professor and member of the Higher Council of Scholars; and Dr. Hamou Ouramo, President of the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes. Each highlighted different stages of the late scholar’s life and his contributions in service of the faith and the Ummah.

Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the Director-General of ICESCO, shared a special testimony about the relationship between Mr. Alaoui and his father, the late Dr. Mohamed El Mokhtar Ould Bah, recounting their work together at the Foundation of African Scholars, as well as other shared scientific and national experiences.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa also recounted his experience as a young student of Mr. Alaoui, attending his classes at the Institute of Quranic Studies, known as Dar al-Quran, in Rabat. The institute was established—alongside Dar El Hadith El Hassania—by the late King Hassan II to promote Quranic and Hadith sciences.

During the second session, several academics and professors revisited the life of Mr. Alaoui, recalling his scientific contributions and pioneering role in education, preaching, and politics.

Over the course of his life, Mr. Alaoui held several prominent positions, including Director of the newspaper Al-A’ahd al-Jadid, appointed in 1957 by the late King Mohammed V. He later served as Head of the Sahara and Mauritania Directorate at the Ministry of the Interior in 1959, and subsequently as Director of the Political Directorate in the same ministry. From 1963 to 1965, he served as a Member of Parliament for the Gheris Basin constituency. Under the reign of His Majesty King Hassan II, he was appointed Director of Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania (1966–1977), then served as Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Advisor to the same ministry, President of the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes, and President of the League of Scholars of Morocco and Senegal.

Mr. Alaoui also distinguished himself through his work in verification and interpretation. He verified the first and tenth volumes of the book “Introduction to the Meanings and Chains of Transmission Found in the Muwatta of Mâlik,” by Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr al-Qurtubi, and provided interpretations for around fifty verses of the Holy Qur’an.

This scientific symposium is part of a series organized by Scholars Councils across Morocco to celebrate prominent Muslim scholars, preserve their heritage, and highlight their scholarly contributions.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, met in Dushanbe to discuss the signing of a joint action plan as a framework for cooperation in the coming period, and ways to enhance cooperation between the two parties in the educational, scientific, and cultural fields.

The meeting, held on Saturday, 31 May 2025, reviewed the future action plan between the two parties, including supporting ICESCO’s initiative to establish a regional observatory for glacier data in the Central Asian region; supporting Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon’s climate action initiatives; and organizing a series of cultural days at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat to highlight Tajikistan’s cultural diversity.

During the bilateral meeting, Dr. AlMalik thanked Mr. Muhriddin for the kind invitation to attend the International Conference on Glacier Conservation, praised the address of H.E. President Emomali Rahmon to the conference, and reiterated ICESCO’s full appreciation for his leading initiatives and efforts in combating climate change.

The ICESCO Director-General also affirmed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen its cooperation with Tajikistan in the Organization’s areas of competence, noting that Tajik talents may be recruited to work at ICESCO, in addition to the implementation of training programs for a group of Tajik young people at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat.

For his part, Mr. Muhriddin highlighted the status of ICESCO and its leading roles in Tajikistan, stressing his keenness to sign a joint action plan between the two parties as soon as possible.

In his address to the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Conservation, held from 29 to 31 May 2025 in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), praised the forward-looking vision of H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, who has made the issue of glaciers a national and international priority.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that, thanks to the vision of its President, Tajikistan has established itself as a key player in global water diplomacy, playing the role of guardian of one of the largest glacier reserves in Central Asia. He also recalled that President Rahmon’s initiative, behind the United Nations’ proclamation of the “International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028), marked a decisive turning point in the mobilization of global efforts to tackle one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

ICESCO’s Director-General pointed out that over the last fifty years, the world has lost more than a third of its glaciers, with Central Asia alone losing almost 30% of its glaciers since the 1960s, noting that Tajikistan’s glaciers supply more than 60% of the water resources of the Amu Darya basin, a vital source for more than 43 million people.

In view of this pressing situation, Dr. AlMalik called for immediate collective action, stating: “The figures are alarming, but they bear a common call to unite science with solidarity, and development with sustainability.”

In this spirit, he announced ICESCO’s full commitment to supporting Tajikistan’s efforts, including the implementation of scientific research and joint glacier monitoring programs; the launch of an educational campaign in Member States to raise environmental awareness among young people; support for local knowledge and traditional practices in water resource management; and the creation of a regional glacier data observatory to serve the whole of Central Asia.

In conclusion, Dr. AlMalik commended the efforts of H.E. President Emomali Rahmon in holding this crucial conference, noting that the initiative embodies Tajikistan’s moral leadership and highlights the profound harmony between its people and its natural environment. He called for inspiration to be drawn from this model and for united efforts to protect what remains of the glaciers and restore the ecological balance of our planet.

His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, received, on Friday, 30 May 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on the sidelines of the opening of the high-level International Conference on Glacier Conservation, held in Dushanbe. The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the educational, scientific, and cultural fields.

At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. the President of Tajikistan emphasized that his country attaches special importance to expanding cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and scientific research with international partners, expressing Tajikistan’s willingness to strengthen its cooperation with ICESCO to contribute to the efforts to develop the cultural and scientific fields in the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s deep appreciation for President Emomali Rahmon and his great efforts to preserve glaciers, noting that under his leadership, Tajikistan has become a leading voice in global water diplomacy and a guardian of the largest glaciers in Central Asia.

The meeting also touched on the development of a set of joint initiatives and programs in the fields of preserving and valorizing heritage, promoting traditional industries and crafts, and enhancing scientific efforts to protect historical monuments.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Abdulhakeem Al Senan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku; and Mr. Azamsho Sharifi, Assistant to the President for International Relations.