Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, explored prospects for cooperation between the University of Malta, ICESCO and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

The meeting was held on Friday, 4 March 2022, at the Presidency of the University of Malta during the visit of ICESCO DG to the University at the invitation of its Rector, following their participation in the Second Global Forum for a Culture of Just Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the auspices of Dr. George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta.

The two parties discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the University of Malta, in several areas, mainly establishing a chair related to civilizational dialogue at the University, strengthening cooperation between the University and the Organization’s FUIW, granting scholarships for students from the Islamic world and participating in international conferences and forums held by the two parties.

Ambassador Khaled Fateh Al-Rahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue attended the meeting.

The University of Malta is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. It originates from “Maltese College,” which was founded in 1592 AD, and witnessed several stages until it took its current name.

In his closing remarks during the 2nd edition of the World Forum for Culture of Peace, held under his auspices, H.E. Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, commended the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). He delivered the address during a session on the role of international organizations in promoting a culture of peace.

The Maltese President noted that ICESCO DG raised an important point, which is that stability is the most crucial factor for achieving peace. He added that development requires stability, which is the cornerstone of peace.

Dr. Vella also praised the participants and speakers in the forum sessions, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation in Malta on 3-4 March 2022, under the theme: “Leadership for Just Peace.” He extended his thanks to the Foundation and the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Sheikh Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, noting that peace must prevail in the world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for giving due attention to culture as a basis for a just peace, a goal the global community aspires to achieve. Dr. AlMalik stated that it is important to promote global human values in education systems, noting that ICESCO strives to anchor the foundations of peaceful thinking and steer away from extremism and hatred in the promotion of the spirit of intercultural dialogue.

Dr. AlMalik made this statement in an address he gave on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Second World Forum of Just Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the theme “Leadership for Peace.” The conference was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, and saw the participation of heads of states, international organizations, intellectuals and experts from different parts of the world.

At the outset, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of global forums aiming at pooling efforts to build a culture of peace, seizing the opportunity to thank Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation and the Republic of Malta for holding this international event to promote intercultural dialogue.

In addition, the DG stated that the Organization seeks to integrate peace in elementary education curricula, while focusing on AI applications in service of peace notions. He also reaffirmed the need to counter the growing videogame culture among the younger generations, which consolidate misconceptions that lead to crimes of violence and extremism, noting that ICESCO created a center dedicated to civilizational dialogue to accord due attention to this concept and promote its significance in the Member States.

Likewise, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s major programs and activities that aim to disseminate and promote the culture of peace, notably ICESCO’s Program for Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS), from which 30 young men and women from more than 20 countries graduated as ICESCO Peace Ambassadors. He announced that ICESCO will continue working on this program to reach 500 ambassadors by 2025.

At the close of his address, the DG reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to cooperate with all partners and civil society institutions in service of world peace and security, calling on young people across the globe to join the LTIPS program.

During their attendance of the Second World Forum for Culture of Just Peace, held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Malta, under the title: “Leadership for Just Peace,” Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Ilir Meta, President of Albania, and gave him a brief presentation on ICESCO’s vision. The two parties explored prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Albania and proposals for Albania to get observer status at the Organization.

The Albanian President expressed his gratitude and interest in building cooperation between his country and ICESCO, and assigned his advisor, Ms. Brunilda Paskali, to follow up on the matter and communicate with the Organization with the aim of preparing a detailed report on the prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

Within the framework of its new vision, ICESCO adopts an open approach to build partnerships and exchange experiences with all countries to serve its Member States and Muslim communities around the world. As part of ICESCO’s action in its fields of competence in education, science and culture, the Organization gives priority to promoting civilized dialogue, fostering a culture of peace and training and building youth and women capacities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Evarist Bartolo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Malta in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Malta, on the sidelines of ICESCO DG’s participation in the 2nd World Forum for Culture of Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the theme “Leadership for Peace,” under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the mainlines of ICESCO’s vision and action strategy, which is based on open-door policy will all parties, including non-Member States, by developing cooperation and partnership relations to serve the Organization’s Member States and the Muslim communities around the world.

Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO has set up a new Observer Status allowing non-Member States to join the Organization to ensure further cooperation and exchange of experiences with Muslim countries in the fields of education, science and culture, calling on Malta to join ICESCO as an observer.

ICESCO DG stressed that the Organization attaches special importance to promoting civilized dialogue, consolidating the values of coexistence and peace, and building the capacities of youth and women to contribute to sustainable development in their societies.

“ICESCO also promotes cultural diplomacy and the cultural heritage through its inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List, and supports Member States’ efforts to invest in space sciences and artificial intelligence applications,” Dr. AlMalik added.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta commended ICESCO’s efforts and roles in its fields of competence, stressing Malta’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization, especially in the youth leadership-training program in peace and security.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Sheikh Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, discussed the prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the Foundation in the fields of common interest.

The meeting, which was held today, Wednesday (March 2, 2022) in Malta, on the sidelines of the Second Global Forum for a Culture of Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the auspices of Dr. George Villa, President of the Republic of Malta.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed the mainlines of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations as well as its efforts to enshrine the values of coexistence and peace, consolidate civilized dialogue, support comprehensive and quality education for all, and build the capacities of youth and women in various fields through practical programs and activities.

ICESCO DG stressed that the organization also attaches great importance to the promotion of the Arabic language at the international level. “ICESCO Center of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers has recently published a series of academic studies on Arabic language teaching, within the framework of its project “Specialized Studies,” to address challenges and difficulties of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, namely the need to keep up with educational developments in its curricula and educational means,” he underlined.
The meeting considered the cooperation proposals in the fields of culture, poetry, Arabic language, publishing and digital content production. The two parties stressed their keenness to build a fruitful partnership.

The meeting also brought together Mr. Abdul Karim Saud Al-Babtain, Dr. Touhami Abdouli, DG of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, and Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilization Dialogue.