Category: News

The International Conference on the Role of Customs Authorities in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, kicked off today, Monday, June 30, 2025, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. Organized in collaboration with the Qatar National Library, the General Authority of Customs of Qatar, and Morocco’s Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration, the ICESCO Conference saw high-level participation including ministers, officials, and experts specializing in cultural heritage protection.

The conference aims to highlight the pivotal role of customs authorities in protecting cultural property, foster cooperation and coordination among customs agencies and relevant stakeholders, and exchange expertise and information. Over the course of six days, the Conference will feature a series of scientific sessions and panels focused on core skills for safeguarding cultural heritage, the use of customs tools and technologies in handling cultural property, as well as specialized training workshops on digital documentation techniques, temporary storage of seized cultural items, and the preparation of confiscation reports.
During the opening session, Dr. AlMalik stressed the urgent need to intensify efforts to preserve cultural heritage, stating alarming statistics that reveal that over 80% of artifacts exhibited worldwide are either of unknown origin or have been looted. Dr. AlMalik stated, “Preserving cultural property means safeguarding the essence of a nation, protecting its memory, and preserving its identity amid the storms of change.”

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of cooperation among various international stakeholders and coordination between countries in the recovery of looted cultural property. He noted that ICESCO is developing a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property across the Islamic world, which focuses on building expertise, linking databases, and leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor and track artifacts, thereby restricting their circulation in suspicious markets.

The opening session began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Morocco’s Minister of Justice, who highlighted his country’s ongoing legislative efforts to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, culminating in the enactment of a new law for the protection of cultural heritage. He also emphasized the critical importance of building the capacities of professionals working at key institutions to effectively address cross-border criminal activities.

For his part, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, underscored the Kingdom’s strong commitment to cultural heritage, describing it as a living testament to human history. He explained that illicit trafficking networks exploit legal loopholes, political instability in certain countries, and advanced technologies to conduct their criminal operations. He also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen oversight of international art auctions to curb these activities.

The Director-General of Morocco’s Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration, Abdellatif Amrani, stressed, in an address read on his behalf by the Director of Prevention and Disputes, Mr. Chafik Essalouh, that the Customs Administration plays a crucial role in protecting cultural property by enforcing strict controls on the cross-border movement of such items and actively participating in international initiatives aimed at recovering looted artifacts.

Speaking next, Mr. Talal Abdullah Al Shaibi, Assistant Chairman for Customs Affairs at the Qatar Customs Authority, underscored the pivotal role of customs authorities in combating the smuggling and illicit trafficking of cultural property, stressing the vital importance of international cooperation among relevant institutions.

The Executive Director of Qatar National Library, Ms. Tan Huism, addressed the growing threats to cultural heritage, highlighting the important roles played by both the media and community members in preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

For his part Jamal Lakrimat, Superintendent General of General Directorate for National Security (DGSN) and General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) of Morocco, reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to supporting international initiatives aimed at cutting off the sources of illicit trafficking in cultural property. He emphasized that this commitment is part of a security vision that integrates cultural considerations within policing efforts.

On Thursday, 26 June 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Marielle Sander, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss the development of joint cooperation mechanisms in the field of social development.

The meeting, held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, focused on proposals for joint programs and projects aimed at empowering youth and women and equipping countries to benefit from the qualified demographic dividend as a strength of societies.

Discussions also included organizing conferences and seminars that articulate realistic visions for achieving sustainable development.

The meeting also addressed mechanisms for initiating the implementation of these initiatives in the Kingdom of Morocco as a first phase, then expanding them to other countries in the Islamic world, in accordance with the specific needs of each country.

In this context, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the great importance ICESCO places on empowering youth, considering them a fundamental pillar of development and progress and a tremendous human asset. He pointed out that ICESCO has made significant progress in this regard, stemming from its belief that youth are the source of creativity and innovation.

For her part, Ms. Sander presented the objectives and programs of the UNFPA in the Kingdom of Morocco, which aim to support families and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by improving population well-being and enabling youth and women through economic and social empowerment.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to continue bilateral discussions to explore mechanisms for implementing joint programs and projects and to study the best ways to finance them.

The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released the fourth series of specialized studies in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. This release is part of the “Specialized Studies” project overseen by the Center.

The new series comprises ten peer-reviewed books authored by a select group of experts and specialists from nine countries: Qatar, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, Syria, Türkiye, Morocco, Jordan, and Germany. The publications address contemporary linguistic and educational topics such as assessment strategies, language games, heritage language, and the integration of scientific content into curricula, among others.

These publications aim to support scientific research in the field of Arabic language instruction for non-arabic speakers and align with global trends in curriculum development and educational tools.

The fourth series includes the following titles:

• Integrating Nonverbal Communication in Teaching Arabic to Foreigners: “The Wise Understands the Gesture” – An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners.
• Feedback Strategies in Arabic Language Teaching Programs for Non-Arabic Speakers: An Approach Toward Using Authentic Assessment.
• Language Games: A Methodological and Practical Perspective.
• Heritage Language: Concepts, Competencies, and Practices – The Case of Arabic in Germany.
• Developing Educational Series in Light of the Reference Framework for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers: Authorship, Teaching, and Training – “Imta‘”.
• Towards a Functional Curriculum for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers Working in the Media Sector.
• Reading Comprehension in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers: Teaching Strategies and Testing Methods.
• Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Arabic Language Learners: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Models.
• Teaching Stories to Non-Arabic-Speaking Children.
• Scientific Content in Arabic Language Curricula for Non-Arabic Speakers: Toward an Integrated Didactic Approach.

ICESCO offers these publications for free download on its website at the following link:
https://icesco.org/vjxt

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that the Organization is proud of the remarkable development in its relations with the Kingdom of Morocco over the past five years. This is clearly reflected in the activities, initiatives, and programs carried out in cooperation with relevant Moroccan bodies, totaling around 370, some of which received the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah protect him.

Dr. AlMalik made these remarks during his address at the regular session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, held on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at the Centre des Formations et des Rencontres Nationales. The session was chaired by Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

Moreover, the ICESCO Director-General presented an overview of the key activities implemented in partnership with Moroccan bodies, covering the fields of education, science, environment, culture, humanities, civilizational dialogue, and foresight. He noted that ICESCO’s hosting of numerous regional and international conferences in Morocco has contributed to establishing the Kingdom as a leading destination for global events and activities.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ICESCO established five academic chairs at several prestigious Moroccan universities and signed over 20 cooperation agreements with ministries and institutions involved in education, science, and culture. He also expressed pride in the growing presence of Moroccan professionals at ICESCO, which has significantly increased since 2019.

On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a virtual meeting with Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), to discuss arrangements for organizing a preparatory meeting aimed at coordinating the visions of ICESCO Member States ahead of the Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, scheduled to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia later this year.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership between ICESCO and the UNAOC, emphasizing the importance of joint cooperation in implementing programs and initiatives that foster dialogue and intercultural coexistence, especially in light of growing global challenges.

The meeting addressed the necessary arrangements for holding the preparatory meeting, which will be hosted by the Republic of Tunisia in partnership with ICESCO and the UNAOC. The goal is to formulate a unified vision for the Islamic world on fundamental issues such as promoting peaceful coexistence, combating extremism, and supporting international peace and security, in preparation for presenting it at the Global Forum.

The two sides also discussed the most suitable timing for holding the meeting and the formation of a joint committee to handle financial and logistical aspects, in addition to ways to enhance the participation of Member States, thereby contributing to intensified efforts aimed at consolidating the values of peace, coexistence, and dialogue among civilizations.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, to cooperate in areas of shared interest, primarily artificial intelligence and strategic foresight for future cities.

The agreement was signed via videoconference by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Eng. Abdulrahman Hisham Al-Asfour, Secretary-General of the Arab Towns Organization, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik said that cooperation with the Arab Towns Organization is an important step toward developing urban policies focused on heritage protection, building resilient and smart cities, and enhancing community partnerships. Dr. AlMalik noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to more sustainable and human-centered cities.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed data and insights on global urban growth, stressing the need to build sustainable smart cities that prioritize quality of life and human well-being. Moreover, he highlighted ICESCO’s ongoing initiatives to protect cultural and urban heritage and build local capacities in artificial intelligence and urban planning.

For his part, Eng. Abdulrahman Al Asfour welcomed the signing of the MoU, describing it as a sign of both sides’ commitment to cooperation in support of cities and communities in the Arab and Islamic worlds. He noted that this partnership is grounded in ICESCO’s strong international reputation and leading role in education, science, and culture, and that it will help create new opportunities for impactful initiatives that enhance cities’ resilience to present and future challenges.

Founded on 15 March 1967 and headquartered in Kuwait, ATO is a regional, non-governmental, and independent body that specializes in the affairs of cities and municipalities in the Arab world. It seeks to design future cities with contemporary architecture while preserving Arab-Islamic identity and heritage, and works to strengthen the role of modern cities as attractive places to live and work.

In a major ceremony held on Monday, June 23, 2025, on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) released an academic book titled “Al-Farabi and His Contributions Throughout Human History”.

The book features several themes addressing Al-Farabi’s influence on human philosophy, his concept of the utopian state, and modern interpretations of his thought, along with his unique ability to unite the arts and sciences. It was authored by 25 researchers from various countries of the Islamic world.

In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, emphasized that the book serves as an invitation to revive encyclopedic thought and reclaim Islamic philosophy, which has contributed significantly to the development of human civilization and paved the way for the advancement of knowledge in both the East and West. He noted that Al-Farabi left behind a timeless scientific legacy that combined philosophy, logic, music, and politics.

Dr. AlMalik also explained that the book’s four themes aim to highlight the diverse intellectual dimensions of Al-Farabi, including his contributions to the development of a comprehensive philosophical vision, his theories in political and scientific philosophy, and his work in the philosophy of music and the harmonization of art and science.

The Director-General further stressed that this publication marks the first phase of an ambitious project through which ICESCO seeks to revive the legacy of leading thinkers and scientists of the Islamic world, through a series of conferences and academic publications designed to bring their contributions to life.

For her part, Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, stated that the book is the result of tireless efforts to honor the legacy of a great thinker who profoundly impacted the spiritual heritage of humanity. She congratulated ICESCO on this outstanding publication, which coincides with the anniversary of Al-Farabi’s birth, and described it as a valuable addition to the intellectual and cultural repositories of the Islamic world’s libraries.

Speaking next, Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, highlighted the university’s commitment to reviving Al-Farabi’s legacy on the global intellectual and cultural stage. He noted that the book is the product of international academic collaboration and stands as clear evidence of the growing interest in Al-Farabi’s enduring intellectual contributions.

This publication is a key outcome of the International Conference on Islamic Scholars, organized by ICESCO in October 2023, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Rabat, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. The Conference recommended the promotion of Al-Farabi’s rich intellectual legacy across various scientific fields.