Category: News update

The training program “Utilizing of AI Tools in News Writing and Quality Content Creation”, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the KUNA Media Development Center, kicked off on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, with the participation of 16 media professionals and content creators from eight Member States of the Organization.

The training program, sponsored by Kuwait Airways and Bukhamseen Holding Group – Crowne Plaza, aims to raise awareness of ways to employ artificial intelligence tools in news writing and digital content creation, foster ethics in the use of artificial intelligence in media and meaningful content creation, and develop participants’ skills in big data analysis through a series of lectures, panel discussions, and practical training sessions.

The five-day training program began with a lecture on the basics of artificial intelligence technology and its applications, presented by Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Khamis, director and expert in creative artificial intelligence, in which he reviewed the opportunities and challenges of mainstreaming the use of artificial intelligence in various professional fields.

At the end of the first day, Dr. Barakat Al Wegyan, Director of Communication Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, stressed the need to hone young people’s skills to keep pace with rapid technological developments, given their pivotal role in renewing media work.

For his part, Mr. Thamer Al-Furaih, Head of the Kuna Media Development Center, pointed out the importance of developing cooperation between international organizations, institutions, and training centers to build a promising generation of media professionals in the Islamic world.

As part of the program’s activities, participants met with officials from the General Department of International Media of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information. They reviewed the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with countries from the Islamic world and mechanisms for communicating with media professionals and experts.

This is the second training program organized by ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector for media professionals, content creators, and content creators in the Islamic world as part of the Sector’s strategic plan to enhance the capacities of media professionals to keep pace with media and technological developments.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 8th International Arabic Language Conference entitled “Teaching and Learning Arabic: Looking Towards the Future: Requirements, Opportunities, and Challenges,” organized by the Arabic Language Educational Sharjah Centre for Gulf States (ALECGS), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Education.

The conference, held on 28-29 January 2026 at the Center’s headquarters in Sharjah University City, saw the participation of 118 researchers and experts from 24 countries and representatives of five international organizations, with 85 research papers and studies presented, and 20 outstanding practices were presented during 33 scientific sessions, which discussed issues, studies, best practices, and scientific and practical experiences related to the reality of teaching Arabic.

ICESCO was represented at the conference by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers and Mr. Salem Omar Salem, Director of the Organization’s Regional Office in Sharjah. Dr. Majdi presented a scientific paper reviewing ICESCO’s key achievements and contributions in the field of Arabic language teaching and learning in line with its new forward-looking vision, leveraging all possible technological applications, methods, and techniques to disseminate Arabic across the world.

At the close of the symposium, Dr. Issa Al-Hammadi, Director of ALECGS, presented a shield of honor to Mr. Salem Omar Salem and Dr. Majdi Haj Ibrahim.

As part of the ICESCO Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched a new series of dialogue sessions entitled “World Artists, Guests of ICESCO,” with the aim of harnessing artistic creativity in efforts to promote intercultural dialogue by hosting contemporary artistic figures who contribute to enriching cultural debate and affirming the status of art as a universal language for peace and coexistence.

Dr. Mohammed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, opened the first discussion session, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with a speech highlighting that this series is part of the forum’s vision to make culture a space for action and reflection, stressing that artists are not merely creators, but partners in producing meaning, transferring experiences, and promoting rapprochement between peoples.

After that, the discussion session kicked off, featuring two prominent figures from the international art scene via video conferencing, Amadi Lagha, a world-renowned opera singer, and Manuel Delgado, a Spanish flamenco guitarist and composer, who presented their experiences and artistic careers in an interactive discussion with participants.

During his presentation, Amadi Lagha reviewed his academic and artistic career, which took shape in Tunisia, France, and Italy, emphasizing the need to renew approaches to music education in order to give emerging artists greater freedom and scope for innovation.

For his part, Manuel Delgado highlighted his career, rooted in Andalusian heritage, which he shaped through his education in several European cities, considering that fidelity to artistic identity is not incompatible with openness and emphasizing that music has a unique ability to bridge cultures.

The session was moderated by Mr. Frédéric Jambu, expert in cultural diplomacy at ICESCO, who presented the general framework of the new concept and its objectives, highlighting the strategic role of art in renewing contemporary cultural dialogue and promoting understanding between peoples.

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.