Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Takiddine Youssouf, Minister of Youth, Employment, Labor, Sports, Arts and Culture of the Union of Comoros, following their participation in the 22nd Session of the Conference of Ministers in Charge of Cultural Affairs in the Arab World that the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth held in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

The two parties reviewed the programs and activities that will be implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the competent parties in the Comoros, including the proposal to establish a regional Arabic center aimed at promoting the teaching of Arabic and enhancing its position in the Comoros. The two parties also discussed arrangements for sending experts from the Organization to hold training sessions for the benefit of young people on preparing nomination files for inscribing heritage sites and cultural elements on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists, as well as ways to publicize the working areas of the ICESCO’s Center for Heritage in the Islamic World and procedures and mechanisms for safeguarding historical sites.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to promote cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and the Union of Comoros. The Minister reaffirmed his country’s support for ICESCO’s vision and new action strategy, commending the Organization’s distinct initiatives, programs and activities geared towards supporting its Member States, noting that Comoros will pay its contribution in ICESCO budget soon.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Ahmadou Youssoufa, Secretary of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture of the Union of Comoros.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), toured the pavilions of the Organization’s Member States participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. The visit took place during ICESCO DG’s participation in the opening session of the Arabic Language Summit and the 22nd Session of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab World that the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth held in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

Dr. AlMalik toured the pavilions of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt, and Mauritania. During the tour, ICESCO DG was introduced to exhibits reflecting the progress of the civilization, culture and identity of each country, and portraying its abundant heritage and tremendous potential.

Dr. AlMalik hailed the pavilions’ sophistication and splendor which reflect the richness and authenticity of their respective countries’ heritage. The elegantly designed pavilions also reflect the countries’ forward-thinking approach through far-sighted, scientifically founded visions, and mirror the importance that their leaders attach to the countries’ heritage, culture, and human capital.

During his tour, ICESCO DG emphasized the Organization’s keenness to work closely with its Member States on valorizing the Islamic world’s heritage, promoting cultural industries, preserving identity, and providing a true portrayal of the Islamic civilization and culture founded on coexistence, peace, civilized dialogue and tolerance.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized the role of culture in instilling hope and strengthening identities through a positive and dynamic approach, towards addressing identity conflicts in various parts of the world and countering extremism and egocentrism.

This statement was part of his address during the opening of the 22nd Session of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab World that the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth held, on Sunday, December 19, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The Conference brought together several ministers of cultural affairs from Arab countries and representatives of different specialized organizations and bodies.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of the conference, held in conjunction with the Arabic Language Summit, under the theme ‘Bridging Cultures, Connecting Civilizations’. “My participation in this conference reflects ICESCO’s endeavor to build solid bridges for cooperation and complementarity with ALECSO and the Member States of the two Organizations. We aim to raise joint cultural action to the Arab peoples’ level of aspiration, and accelerate sustainable development in the Islamic world,” explained ICESCO DG.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s major cultural programs and initiatives geared towards safeguarding the Islamic world’s culture, heritage and historical treasures, notably the establishment of the Heritage Center adopting international standards and norms in heritage inscription, the creation of the Network of International Chairs for Thought, Letters and Arts in cooperation with universities and research centers. In addition, ICESCO launches the “Roads for the Future” Program, the Contemporary Art Gallery, the International Laboratory for rethinking the world through culture, and the Center for Civilizational Dialogue to address the urgent need for an institution that promotes creative work, coexistence and peace, and fosters international partnership with humanitarian organizations.

At the close of his address, ICESCO DG reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness and commitment to developing strategies promoting heritage, cultural creativity, digital economy, publishing and training, as well as mechanisms to support cultural rights, governance and cultural tourism. “We welcome partnerships with international organizations and take pride in cooperating with ALECSO in areas of common interest,” added Dr. AlMalik.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for the adoption of sound language policies that accord Arabic its rightful place in the social, scientific, educational and cultural fields.

“The cultural and linguistic identity of countries and populations is one of the backbones of national security. Arab populations are exposed to an overwhelming load of cultural and value-related information online, some positive, some negative,” emphasized ICESCO DG.

This statement was part of his participation in the opening session of the two-day Arabic Language Summit, which kicked off on Sunday, December 19, 2021, under the theme “Bridging Cultures. Connecting Civilizations.” The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth of the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Dr. AlMalik noted that the Arab world’s contribution to digital content and website creation does not exceed 1.2%, ranking 11th in the world after other languages of limited diffusion, stressing that ICESCO’s new vision and amended Charter attach great importance to Arabic. He added that the Organization works on disseminating the language by contributing to the development of education curricula for non-Arabic speakers all over the world and fostering coordination among educational institutions by supporting the establishment of coordinating bodies and integrating Arabic calligraphy into schools and universities.

ICESCO DG noted the compelling need to develop Arabic translation in the Arab and Islamic worlds to keep pace with the latest innovations, emphasizing that the establishment of national observatories or higher councils of the Arabic language mandated with diagnostic, guidance and foresight will pave the way towards the development of national language policies.

Dr. AlMalik also noted the importance of strategic foresight in anticipating future transformations in the Arabic language, adding that the ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, established in 2020, carries out foresight studies in the field of language policies.

In response to an official invitation from the International Camel Organization (ICO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and his accompanying delegation, visited ICO’s 6th edition of King Abdulaziz International Camel Festival, held in cooperation with the Saudi Camel Club. The Festival includes international competitions that attract participants from all over the world and activities valuing the cultural heritage related to camels and desert culture.

Dr. Mubarak Al-Suwailem, ICO Secretary-General, received ICESCO DG and his accompanying delegation, reviewing ICO’s major initiatives, programs and efforts geared towards publicizing and promoting the history and heritage pertaining to camels.

ICESCO DG commended ICO’s achievements, stressing ICESCO’s willingness to continue cooperation between the two parties as part of their partnership agreement signed in April 2021, and the implementation plans of the cooperation programs, mainly the programs on the civilizational and cultural heritage associated with camels and desert culture as well as its inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List.

ICESCO delegation visited the heritage exhibition, held on the Festival’s sidelines, under the theme “Do they not look”, which includes a large number of collections and tools related to camels heritage and culture, as well as one of the Festival’s races. The 6th edition witnessed a remarkable development in its activities and competitions and large participation from all over the world.

ICESCO delegation will also participate in King Abdulaziz International Conference on Camels (Camel Economics and Studies), which will kick off on Sunday, December 19, 2021, with the participation of a group of specialists, intellectuals and other parties interested in camel cultural heritage.

The delegation representing ICESCO at the Conference consists of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; Dr. Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation; and Mr. Najib Riati, Cultural Adviser to the Director-General.