Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has been awarded the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication (KACCC) Award in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its fifth edition for the year 2025, under the category of international non-profit organizations and institutions. The recognition came for its initiative Peace 360, according to the announcement made by the Center in a press conference held on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, at its headquarters in Riyadh, attended by Dr. Abdullah Al-Fawzan, Secretary-General of the Center, and Mr. Ibrahim Al-Asmi, Deputy Secretary-General.

On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, expressed his joy at the Organization being honored with this prestigious award, stressing that it stands as a testament to ICESCO’s efforts in consolidating the values of peace, coexistence, and intercultural dialogue within the societies of its Member States.

Dr. AlMalik also praised the efforts and achievements of the KACCC in embedding the values of diversity, coexistence, and cohesion in the Kingdom, which has become a shining model in promoting peace and its noble principles. He also highlighted the cooperation agreement signed between ICESCO and KACCC last July, aimed at implementing pioneering initiatives that enhance intercultural dialogue, instill values of tolerance and coexistence, and support cultural diversity.

The Peace 360 Initiative reflects a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to peacebuilding that ICESCO is working to entrench by drawing on wide-ranging expertise across its programs and activities. The initiative seeks to nurture a culture of peace among key social actors, especially youth, while employing development as a tool for building peace and reinforcing its values.

ICESCO had also published a book on the initiative and its dimensions, entitled Peace 360: Exploring the Dimensions of Peace, which included messages from Heads of State of ICESCO Member States, the Organization’s Director-General, contributions from several distinguished international figures, as well as messages from ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors.

The KACCC Award aims to celebrate national and international achievements realized by governmental and private institutions, civil society organizations, international organizations, and individuals who have made outstanding and effective contributions to the promotion of the values of moderation, coexistence, tolerance, and civilizational communication with others.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to Afghanistan in the wake of the devastating earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives, injured thousands, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. This catastrophe has struck a dear nation persevering to advance and rebuild after years of war and crises.

While commending the significant efforts undertaken by the Afghan authorities to address the impact of this tragedy, ICESCO reaffirms its steadfast support for its brethren as part of its commitment to bolstering the fields of education, science, and culture, which have been affected by these dire circumstances.

In this context, ICESCO calls upon the governments of its Member States and the international humanitarian organizations to provide all possible assistance, affirming the values of human fraternity.

Allah is the Guarantor of success.

Based on its statement issued on 23 August 2025, expressing its sincere solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in light of the recent flood disaster it has faced, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirms its solidarity with the brothers and sisters in Pakistan, in support of the efforts undertaken to confront the consequences of this tragic catastrophe.

Recognizing the priority of advancing educational requirements during times of crisis, the Organization is pleased to announce the allocation of 100,000 USD to support the reconstruction of the dilapidated schools.

In this context, and in continuation of its declared commitment to stimulating and coordinating partnerships that support reconstruction and restoration efforts, ICESCO calls upon the governments of Member States and international donor institutions to contribute to the solidarity campaign alongside the efforts being undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during this critical stage.

May Allah guide everyone to what is good and just.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received H.E. Mr. Adil Gilani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Morocco. The meeting reviewed cooperation developments in the fields of education, science, and culture.

During this meeting, held on Monday, 1 September 2025, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s full solidarity with Pakistan and its willingness to support national recovery after the devastating floods that struck the country in late August.

For his part, Ambassador Gilani expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s supportive stance towards Pakistan in the wake of the floods, which resulted in the deaths of many people and the destruction of several buildings and educational institutions. He also commended the Organization’s role in supporting its Member States.

The two parties also discussed cooperation developments between ICESCO and Pakistan, agreeing to implement a number of joint projects and activities in the coming days, with a focus on youth capacity-building and the use of the latest AI technologies in education.

The meeting was also attended by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO.

A delegation of participants in the 19th edition of the Mohammed VI International Prize for the Memorization, Recitation, Tajweed, and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an visited, on Friday, August 29, 2025, the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat.

Prior to the Museum visit, ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim AlMalik received the delegation of more than 110 memorizers of the Holy Quran from 50 countries, in addition to the competition’s jury members, and expressed his appreciation for the memorizers of the Book of Allah Almighty.

The Director-General explained that the Organization’s hosting of the Prophet Seerah Exhibition is part of its efforts to present an accurate image of Islam. He highlighted several of ICESCO’s initiatives in this regard, including the “Read It To Understand It” initiative, launched as a proactive step to counter attempts to distort or misrepresent the Holy Quran. He also noted the upcoming organization of an international conference on Imam al-Bukhari in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, aimed at highlighting his scholarly and civilizational contributions.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik presented an overview of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet Seerah and highlighted its role in casting light on the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, through educational and interactive content that employs the latest AI and VR technologies. He also noted that the Museum has welcomed nearly 9 million visitors.

Afterwards, the delegation toured the exhibition halls, where they received detailed explanations about the various pavilions and sections.

At the end of the visit, the ICESCO guests expressed their delight at visiting this major scientific and cultural institution, which takes its visitors on a spiritual journey to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his noble companions.

The Saudi Society for Opinion Writers hosted, at its diwaniya in Riyadh on Sunday, 24 August 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), where he reviewed the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its most prominent initiatives, programs, and activities for its Member States. He also highlighted the updates made to its organizational structure over the past five years in order to keep pace with global developments and the aspirations of the Islamic world.

During the intellectual evening, which was attended by a large number of the Kingdom’s leading opinion writers, Dr. AlMalik praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for the Organization, extending his highest thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The ICESCO Director-General also commended the distinguished partnership between the Organization and several institutions in the Kingdom, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, which resulted in the implementation of a set of pioneering programs and activities for the benefit of the Islamic world, including the launch of the Riyadh Charter for AI in the Islamic World.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed that ICESCO has made wide strides in its pursuit to become a beacon of international civilizational and knowledge-based enlightenment, noting that the Organization has adopted an approach of openness to all. This is embodied in its programs and initiatives, which are designed and implemented to serve humanity without discrimination, as well as in the accession of countries from outside the Islamic world to ICESCO’s membership as observer states.

The ICESCO Director-General stated that the Organization communicates directly with its Member States through national commissions in order to design programs and initiatives that meet these countries’ needs and aspirations. He also pointed out that ICESCO has established several new specialized centers to serve the Islamic world in the fields of foresight and artificial intelligence, Arabic language, translation and publishing, preservation and valorization of heritage, civilizational dialogue, calligraphy and manuscripts, and poetry and literature.

Dr. AlMalik explained that the development witnessed by ICESCO is the result of attracting outstanding competencies in all fields from across the globe and succeeding in making it an organization of young professionals, as more than 45% of ICESCO’s staff are under the age of 35. Moreover, women hold 50% of leadership positions in the Organization. He also shed light on the prestigious international certifications the Organization has received in innovation, creativity, governance, and knowledge, stressing that these constitute international recognition of ICESCO’s achievements.

The meeting featured rich discussions between Dr. AlMalik and the opinion writers, during which he answered the audience’s questions about ICESCO’s efforts to contribute to the development of its areas of competence.

From ICESCO, the meeting was attended by Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector, Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Director of the Translation and Publishing Center, and Dr. Abdulhakim Alsenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.
It is worth noting that the Saudi Society for Opinion Writers regularly hosts in its diwaniya a group of the Kingdom’s most prominent officials and decision-makers, in addition to distinguished Saudi figures at the international level, where it features direct and insightful dialogues with leading Saudi media professionals.