Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a replica of a rare manuscript of the Holy Quran penned by Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Hilal ibn Abdulaziz, widely known as Ibn al-Bawwab, from Ms. Ratiba Sefrioui, a retired university professor, in recognition of ICESCO’s pioneering roles in preserving and promoting manuscript heritage in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik commended this initiative, describing it as a commendable step towards the protection of manuscripts of the Islamic world. He affirmed that such initiatives, which encourage the dissemination of knowledge, strengthen ICESCO’s efforts to preserve cultural elements from disappearance and deterioration, and to introduce the heritage of Muslim societies and their cultural, scientific, and civilizational contributions.

For her part, Ms. Sefrioui provided a detailed explanation of the components of the manuscript, which came into her possession from her late brother, Mr. Abdelhay Sefrioui. The manuscript includes an introductory booklet and a translated version of the meanings of some Quran surahs into French. Mrs. Sefrioui praised ICESCO’s role in promoting the civilization of the Islamic world and in raising awareness of the importance of preserving Arab and Islamic identity among future generations.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Amine Debbi.

Ibn al-Bawwab is one of the most prominent calligraphers of the third and fourth Hijri centuries. He developed the principles of the Naskh script and established aesthetic proportions governing the components of each letter. He also wrote 64 copies of the Quran, the most famous of which is the only surviving manuscript among the Qurans he penned. It was written in Baghdad in 391 AH and is preserved at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland, from which the replica donated to the Organization was produced.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the conference “Artificial Intelligence and the characteristics of the Arabic Language,” organized by the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language in cooperation with the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. The event aimed at exploring the complex relationship between the characteristics of Arabic and AI language models, contributing to the development of an integrated Arab knowledge system in AI related to language.

ICESCO was represented at the two-day conference, which concluded on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, by Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers. He delivered a presentation titled “Teaching Arabic and Artificial Intelligence in Light of Educational Policies,” in which he proposed several recommendations for improving educational and linguistic policies linked to curricula.

Dr. Hajj also outlined the requirements for integrating AI into Arabic language teaching, including establishing a digital infrastructure, offering necessary equipment, expanding awareness and training programs through seminars and workshops, and the allocation of research grants to support studies related to AI and modern technologies.

The Culture Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the fifth periodic meeting of the ICESCO Network of International Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Letters and Arts. The meeting reviewed the chairs’ scientific and cultural achievements, which included releasing more than 30 scientific publications and holding over 50 international events, such as conferences, seminars, and art exhibitions. These events were organized in collaboration with international universities and institutions between 2021 and 2025.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with the chairs participating in person and via video conferencing, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, commended the great efforts made by the chairs, urging them to continue their work. He also praised Dr. Bouazza Ben Achir, professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, for his chairmanship of the regular meeting.

Notably, the ICESCO International Network of Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Letters, and Arts spans several countries across three continents, including Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Germany, and Brazil.

The ICESCO International Platform, “Culture for Rethinking the World,” has strengthened the network’s efforts and influence by publishing more than 200 articles. The important contribution of the 15 research teams affiliated with the chairs is also notable. These teams include approximately 200 researchers and students who specialize in thought, heritage, literature, and the arts.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AGRI EDGE, the economic unit of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, specialized in the digital agriculture sector. The MoU aims to promote cooperation to support sustainable agriculture in the Islamic world.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Rabat, and provides for establishing a partnership framework in the areas of climate-smart agriculture, agricultural innovation, digital transformation, and capacity building, through the exchange of experiences, joint training programs, and agricultural solutions that capitalize on modern technologies and data.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General at the signing ceremony, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, emphasized that this partnership reflects the Organization’s commitment to supporting innovation-driven development and assisting Member States in addressing agricultural and environmental challenges.

Dr. Benarfa added that this partnership is an opportunity to leverage both expertise and action to support farmers, cooperatives, and local institutions, and to develop scalable solutions that increase productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

For his part, Mr. Faissal Sehbaoui, AgriEdge CEO, explained that institutional cooperation with ICESCO will contribute to expanding capacity-building programs and supporting the dissemination of digital solutions in the agricultural sector in a manner that serves food security and sustainable development.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, along with Dr. Essam Karimi, Dr. Adel Smeda, Dr. Wissam Chehade, and Dr. Fahman Fathurrahman, experts from the same Sector. Ms. Rim Jirari, Head of International Organizations and Bodies at the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, also attended the ceremony.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in a symposium titled “Multilingualism in International Organizations,” held on Monday, 15 December 2025, at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris. The event, which was organized by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) in cooperation with UNESCO, aims at highlighting the civilizational values and cultural achievements of Arabic language presence in international organizations and launching the “Multilingualism Framework.”

The symposium brought together representatives of international organizations and institutions concerned with the Arabic language, along with a group of experts and specialists in language planning and policy, to discuss the efforts of these organizations and institutions to preserve Arabic within the context of multilingualism.

ICESCO was represented by Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, who delivered a presentation titled “ICESCO’s Experience in Promoting the Presence of Arabic.” He noted that the Organization, which adopted Arabic, English, and French as the three main languages for communication with its Member States, treats Arabic not only as a means of communication but also as a cultural objective.

Dr. Majdi explained that through many of its programs and activities, ICESCO advocates for shifting Arabic from being merely a communication tool to becoming a cultural objective, a process that can be described as the cultural globalization of Arabic. He pointed out that ICESCO has established centers dedicated to this purpose, including the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, the Calligraphy and Manuscript Center, and the Poetry and Literature Center, in addition to the ICESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers Program “Mishkat.”

On the occasion of World Children’s Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a symposium at its headquarters in Rabat on Monday, 17 November 2025, under the theme “Addressing the Faces of Bullying: From Schoolyards to Digital Spaces.” The event was organized in partnership with Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), and the Conference of Ministers of Education of French-Speaking Countries (CONFEMEN), and brought together around 70 children alongside several education and psychology experts.

In his opening remarks delivered on behalf of ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Organization’s Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), emphasized that ICESCO places children at the heart of its strategic vision and considers the protection of future generations from violence and bullying a constant priority. He highlighted the Organization’s practical initiatives and programs that reflect its firm commitment to promoting mental health and well-being among youth, noting that the “Mental Health and Well-being” program is a key pillar of this approach.

Speaking during the symposium, Dr. Yousra Bint Hussain AlJazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Diplomatic Corps in Morocco, affirmed that every child has intrinsic value and uniqueness, and that each child carries a special light unlike any other. She stressed that differences in appearance, voice, or expression are not flaws but sources of distinction and beauty, offering children advice on self-respect and rejecting mistreatment.

In a recorded address, Ms. Bahar Avaz Muradova, Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to protecting children and combating all forms of violence. She outlined several ongoing initiatives, including “Child-Friendly Spaces” and “Family and Child Support Centers,” as well as nationwide anti-violence campaigns.

Next, Ms. Kenza Abourmane, Head of the Youth Department at Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, praised the ongoing collaboration with ICESCO in producing educational content for children and adolescents. She noted the alignment of ICESCO’s film “Show Me Your Smile,” which addresses school bullying, with national efforts to combat violence in educational settings.

In his recorded remarks, Mr. Abdel Rahamane Baba-Moussa, Secretary-General of CONFEMEN, stated that turning any story into an animated film provides an effective educational tool that resonates with all age groups in schools. Mr. Mustafa Ali, Secretary-General of GNRC, underscored that a safe child is the foundation of a safe world, affirming the convergence of this initiative with the GNRC’s vision to enhance children’s psychological and social protection.

The symposium featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. El Hajjami Hassan, expert in ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, with participation from educators, psychologists, and school administrators. The panel explored the latest educational and psychological approaches to combating bullying. The event concluded with a dedicated session for children, during which they shared their experiences and perspectives on confronting bullying.