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    ICESCO Launches Series of Seminars to Discuss Cultural Heritage Issues in Islamic World

    The Center for Heritage in the Islamic World, under the aegis of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), launched a series of digital seminars aimed at discussing the challenges facing cultural heritage in the Islamic world and providing an open platform for experts and specialized international organizations to exchange expertise and build bridges of cooperation in this field.

    The seminars will be held periodically every three months. The ICESCO Center for Heritage in the Islamic World organized the first of these seminars on Friday 10 October 2025, under the theme“Risk and Disaster Management for Cultural Heritage Sites.” The session was inaugurated by Dr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre at UNESCO, who praised ICESCO’s role in supporting global efforts to protect cultural heritage. He emphasized the need to discuss current challenges and the importance of digital spaces in facilitating the exchange of knowledge among experts worldwide.

    For his part, Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director of the ICESCO Center for Heritage in the Islamic World, noted that these seminars contribute to capacity building and to creating a network of communication among Member States. He added that the series provides a vital platform for strengthening cooperation between institutions working in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

    The first seminar, moderated by Mr. Mohamed Al-Absi, Expert at ICESCO’s Center for Heritage, featured a distinguished group of international experts from UNESCO, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.

    ICESCO Calls for Early Integration of Vocational Skills in Education at the Gulf Forum on Incubator Management

    The Gulf Forum for Empowering Vocational Training Institutions in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Incubator Management concluded in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on 15 October 2025. The Forum was organized from 13 to 15 October by the Omani Ministry of Labor, in cooperation with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). It aimed to promote scientific research, intellectual property, and digital transformation, and to develop the incubator ecosystem to empower and enhance staff competencies in the labor market.

    During the opening session, Mr. Waqas Afridi, expert at ICESCO’s Education Sector, emphasized that the Organization’s initiatives in education and innovation have benefited hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and policymakers across Member States. He noted that the Forum reflects the strategic orientations of ICESCO’s Education Sector for 2025–2030, stressing the importance of integrating skills learning from early school stages to foster youth competencies, confidence, and creativity.

    Mr. Afridi added that ICESCO’s Education Sector will present the first draft of the “Strategy for Skills, Technical and Vocational Education and Training” at the Regional Conference on Education and Vocational Training (Middle East and Arab World), scheduled for early 2026 at Doha University of Science and Technology, in cooperation with UNESCO’s Regional Office in Qatar. The strategy aims to align skill development with labor market needs and prepare youth for a rapidly evolving work environment.

    For his part, Dr. Khalid Ambusaidi, Director General of Vocational Colleges at the Ministry of Labor, reaffirmed Oman’s and ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening the role of education and vocational training in development, in line with Oman Vision 2040. Dr. Mahmood Al-Abri, Secretary-General of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, explained that the Ministry of Education in Oman has integrated technical and vocational education into the school education system, aligning with ICESCO’s approach to making vocational education a tool for achieving sustainable development goals.

    The Forum brought together over 100 experts and representatives from Oman and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, along with several international organizations. It featured workshops on the role of training institutions in supporting entrepreneurship, establishing and operating incubators, developing their programs and services, and discussions on teaching methods that foster entrepreneurial mindsets, impact assessment, and ways to enhance regional and international cooperation.

    ICESCO Publishes New Book on Arabic Language Teaching Featuring Contributions from 47 Researchers

    The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published the book entitled “Research Papers of the First International Conference: Language Skills in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers – Challenges of Reality and Prospects for Development,” featuring the contributions of 47 researchers, representing 20 countries, who participated in the conference that ICESCO organized, in cooperation with Bursa State University, in Bursa, Türkiye, in February 2025.

    The two-volume publication, comprising 1,050 pages, includes 40 peer-reviewed academic papers authored by experts and university professors. It is a valuable reference in Arabic language teaching and skills for non-Arabic speakers. It aims at enriching scientific research in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and keeping pace with global trends in the development of curricula and teaching methods.

    The new book covers the following topics:

    • Successful strategies for teaching and learning language skills;
    • Analysis of language skills in Arabic textbooks for non-Arabic speakers;
    • Assessment of language skills;
    • Modern technologies in language skills teaching;
    • Problems related to language skills teaching.

    ICESCO provides the book for free download on its website at: https://icesco.org/bfk1

    ICESCO Director-General, Former Prime Minister of Mali Discuss Promotion of Peace and Security

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, H.E. Abdoulaye Idrissa Maïga, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting, which saw the presence of H.E. Salaheddine Mezouar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, explored prospects for joint development initiatives in light of the security, educational, and human development challenges facing countries in the African Sahel region.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s steadfast commitment to promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and intercultural dialogue as core pillars of the Organization’s strategic vision. He highlighted several flagship initiatives implemented by ICESCO in this regard, including the award-winning “360° Peace” initiative, the Encyclopedia for Deconstructing Extremist Discourse developed in partnership with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in Morocco, the publication of ‘‘Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa’’, and the Leadership Training Programme in Peace and Security (LTIPS), which has trained more than 180 young men and women from 68 countries, who were selected to serve as ICESCO’s Peace Ambassadors.

    For his part, Mr. Maïga expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s efforts in fostering peace and security through education, science, and culture. He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with the Organization in initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Sahel region.

    At the close of the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue coordination on developing a joint initiative focused on peacebuilding and sustainability, contributing to regional and international efforts to support stability and development in the region.

    In attendance from ICESCO were Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Dr. Abdoulaye Al Maïga, expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

    Saudi Ambassador to Thailand Hosts Banquet in Honor of ICESCO Director-General

    H.E. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Kingdom of Thailand, held a banquet in honor of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Friday , 10 October 2025.

    The banquet was attended by His Eminence Sheikh Arun Boonchom, Sheikh of Islam of Thailand, a number of senior officials and ambassadors accredited to Bangkok, as well as university presidents and officials of cultural and educational institutions.

    In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Suhaibani welcomed Dr. AlMalik, commending his fruitful meetings during his official visit, especially with a number of parliamentary, academic and religious leaders in Thailand, which resulted in important understandings in the fields of education, culture, science, environment, and the holding of the Civilizational Dimensions Forum between Thailand and the Islamic world. This also includes the acceptance of the Speaker of Thailand Parliament to join ICESCO Goodwill Ambassadors as well as the prospect of proclaiming one of Thailand’s cities as the Culture Capital in the Islamic world in the coming years.

    For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to HE the Ambassador for the generous invitation, warm reception and hospitality, commending the efforts of the Kingdom’s Embassy in strengthening ICESCO’s presence in Thailand and bridging the views between the Islamic world and the Kingdom of Thailand.

    The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere marked by mutual appreciation and a common desire to foster more fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the cultural, scientific and educational institutions in Thailand, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bangkok along with the embassies of the Islamic world countries.

    ICESCO and Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation Launch New Arabic Language Program for Non-Arabic Speakers in 14 Countries

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, has launched a new annual training program entitled “Mishkat Educational Leadership in Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers” to train a select group of educational leaders in 14 African and Asian countries.

    The program was launched on Thursday, 9 October 2025, at ICESCO headquarters, during a preparatory meeting bringing together the program’s experts and coordinators, in the presence of Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to ICESCO’s Director-General and Supervisor of the “Mishkat Al-Arabia” platform, and Dr. Mohammed Ismail Alaoui, Director of the University Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers at Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Morocco, with the participation of 22 experts and educational officials from a number of countries.

    The new “Educational Leadership” program consists of 10 specialized training workshops spanning from October 2025 to June 2026. The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, 15 October 2025. A team of 10 international experts will train the program beneficiaries using modern practical methods.

    ICESCO Director-General and Thai Minister of Culture DiscussHeritage Protection and Creative Industries

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Mrs. Sabida Thaiseth, Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Thailand, on Thursday 9 October Bangkok, Thailand, on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on “Contemporary Arabic Language: Knowledge, Prospects, and Challenges.”

    During the meeting, the ICESCO Director-General reviewed the Organization’s flagship programs and initiatives in the cultural field, particularly pertaining to cultural indicators, creative industries, and cultural economies. These are fields in which ICESCO has achieved remarkable success and contributed to strengthening culture’s role as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

    Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s readiness to provide technical and professional support for training Thai specialists in the areas of documenting, preserving, and restoring cultural heritage. He also proposed the inclusion of Islamic heritage sites in Thailand in ICESCO’s Heritage List in the Islamic World.

    For her part, the Minister of Culture commended ICESCO’s role in promoting culture and fostering civilizational dialogue, affirming her country’s interest in developing cultural cooperation with the Organization and its commitment to participating in ICESCO’s international conferences and forums.

    She also expressed the Ministry’s desire to review the cultural indicators adopted by ICESCO and to benefit from its programs for training youth and national cadres in the protection and inscription of heritage.

    At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik extended an official invitation to the Minister to visit ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, reaffirming the shared commitment to expand the horizons of cultural cooperation between the two sides.

    In Partnership with ICESCO: Regional Forum on Media and Information Literacy Concludes in Muscat

    The Regional Forum on Media and Information Literacy wrapped up in Muscat, Oman, following three days of discussions held from October 6 to 8, 2025, under the theme: Empowering Minds in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. The event was organized by the Omani Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, in cooperation with the Omani Ministry of Information, and in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

    The Forum aimed to raise awareness of the concept of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), highlight the role of international organizations in empowering users to understand their digital rights, and promote responsible and ethical media behavior. It also addressed current digital challenges and underscored the importance of national and regional policies in supporting media awareness.

    The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harrasi, Omani Minister of Information; Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science; and Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Harthi, Chairperson of the Media Committee at the Shura Council.

    During the event, Dr. Zaid Abu Shama’a, Supervisor of the Media Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, outlined ICESCO’s strategy for promoting media education. He explained that the Organization’s approach is participatory, respects the specific contexts of Member States, and focuses on providing practical solutions tailored to their needs and cultural and social settings.

    Dr. Abu Shama’a emphasized that ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector views media education as a strategic gateway to empowering individuals and communities to address emerging challenges such as misinformation, hate speech, and the digital divide. He also stressed the Organization’s efforts in this field and its upcoming initiatives, most notably the preparation of a specialized guide on media education that is attuned to the particularities of the Islamic world.

    As part of the Forum’s activities, ICESCO’s representative conducted a workshop titled: Discover the Truth Yourself, which aimed to equip participants with skills to verify news and images using simple digital tools. He also delivered an address during the Forum’s closing session on the ethics of using AI in research, academia, and journalism.

    The Forum targeted teachers, supervisors, curriculum designers, academics, and students in media-related fields, as well as journalists and editors from various media outlets, and communication and media professionals from public, private, and civil society institutions.

    ICESCO Director-General Visits Krirk University in Thailand and Explores Prospects for Academic Cooperation

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited the campus of Krirk University in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday 8 October 2025, as part of his official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand. He was received by Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, President of the University, his Deputy, the Deans of the Colleges, and several faculty members.

    During the meeting, the University’s administration presented a comprehensive overview of its history and academic achievements. Krirk University is the oldest private university established in Thailand, attracting students from various Asian countries and beyond. It also places significant emphasis on Islamic studies and is currently working on establishing a specialized faculty for Islamic and Arabic studies.

    For his part, Dr. AlMalik commended the University’s efforts in promoting education and advancing Islamic and Arabic studies. He also stressed the importance of conducting specialized research on the civilizational dimensions linking Thailand and the Islamic world and proposed the organization of an international conference dedicated to these civilizational aspects.

    ICESCO Director-General presented the University President with the official membership letter confirming Krirk University’s accession to the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), which operates under the Organization and includes more than 560 member universities. This was part of strengthening academic cooperation between the Organization and the University.

    At the conclusion of the visit, the two parties exchanged gifts, and Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the University’s administration and faculty members for their warm reception and generous hospitality.

    Attending the meeting from ICESCO’s side was Dr. Hani Al Balawi, Expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.
    It is noteworthy that Dr. AlMalik will participate tomorrow as a keynote speaker in the Third International Conference of the International Islamic College of Bangkok, under the theme: “Contemporary Arabic: Knowledge, Horizons, and Challenges,” organized by the University.

    Speaker of Thai House of Representatives Appointed as ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand, on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, in Bangkok, during the Director-General’s official visit to Thailand, which is an Observer State in the Organization.

    At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Matha welcomed Dr. AlMalik, emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO in various fields, particularly those related to promoting the values of coexistence, rejecting hatred, and respecting religions and cultures.

    He praised the importance of ICESCO’s presence in Thailand’s cultural and intellectual scene through seminars, lectures, and meetings, as well as its cooperation with academic institutions and Thai universities. He further expressed his welcome to hosting ICESCO meetings in Bangkok in the future.

    For his part, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s main programs and initiatives, and highlighted Thailand’s position as a leading model in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect, thanks to its rich history and contemporary experience. He also affirmed ICESCO’s keenness to engage Thailand in many of its future projects and initiatives, particularly those related to civilizational dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.

    At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik conveyed ICESCO’s intention to appoint Dr. Matha as one of the Organization’s Goodwill Ambassadors, in recognition of his distinguished career and outstanding efforts in promoting the values of coexistence and peace. Dr. Matha expressed his deep appreciation for this honor, voicing his pride in this recognition and his readiness to further support the close relations between ICESCO and Thailand, and to advancedevelop joint initiatives in this field.

    The ICESCO delegation included Dr. Hani AlBalawi, expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

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