Category: News update

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a lecture titled, “The Kuwait Museum: Memory of a Homeland”. The Lecture, held Friday, May 7, 2021, via videoconference was presented by Dr. Sultan Mutlaq Al-Duwaish, Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature of the State of Kuwait, within the framework of ICESCO’s program, “Aspects of the Islamic World Heritage.”

The program consists of holding two monthly lectures throughout 2021, featuring a number of officials in charge of managing, promoting and preserving Member States’ heritage. The program will also be an opportunity to exchange successful experiences and raise awareness on the importance of cultural properties and civilizational heritage of the Islamic world.

This program is part of the implementation of ICESCO’s new vision aiming at extending full recognition to human and Islamic civilizational heritage, and in celebration of Heritage Month in the Islamic World for this year, under the theme: “United for Art and Heritage.” The Program also falls within the implementation of the second recommendation of the third extraordinary meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) (December 10, 2020), calling for the adoption of ICESCO’s initiative to celebrate Heritage Month in the Islamic World annually, spanning from April 18 (International Day of Monuments and Sites) to May 18 (International Museum Day).

On the occasion of African World Heritage Day 2021 and as part of its celebration of Islamic World Heritage Month under the theme “United for Art and Heritage,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a symposium on the theme: “International Organizations at the Service of African Heritage: Pleading for a Fruitful Cooperation,” to exchange views on forms of cooperation and partnership strategies between organizations concerned with African cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.

The symposium, which was held on Wednesday (May 6, 2020) via videoconference, saw the participation of Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Director of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO; Mr. Souayibou Varissou, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund, South Africa; Dr. Lupwishi Mbuyamba, Executive Director of the Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa, the Republic of Mozambique; Ms. Samia Djacta, Director of ICESCO Office and Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and Komi N’kegbe Foga Tublu, Coordinator of the Center for Linguistic and Historical Studies by Oral Tradition, Niger. The event was moderated by Dr. Mahamat Abba Ousman, Expert in the Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO.

During the symposium, the participants revealed the importance of celebrating African World Heritage Day which aims to raise awareness among decision-makers and professionals about the field of African heritage, to highlight the importance of encouraging the registration of natural and cultural sites and to develop mechanisms for the valuation and sustainability of cultural properties. They also stressed the importance of cooperation between African institutions specialized in the field of African heritage.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced that the International Conference on the Civilizational Values in the Prophet’s Seerah, due to be held under the theme “Towards a future vision for the Prophet’s Seerah,” on May 27, 2021, will be organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stated that the high royal patronage for such a key event, held in cooperation with the Mohammadia League of Scholars and the Muslim World League (MWL), is an honor for ICESCO, which receives the constant support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.

ICESCO DG reaffirmed that the Conference will witness high-level participation of the heads of States, distinguished international figures from the Islamic world and abroad, international institutions and organizations, Ulama and professors specialized in the Prophet’s Seerah, media and communication specialist, as well as the holders of prominent media and cultural initiatives for publicizing the Prophet’s Seerah.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Conference is a practical and scientific response to defamation of the Prophet (PBUH) within the frame of ICESCO’s vision and new strategy as the Organization is striving to present the true image of the Islamic culture and civilization and enshrine the values of coexistence and dialogue to achieve peace and build a bright future for the world.

The DG added that the Conference aims at drafting an outreach strategy to highlight the functional dimensions of the Prophet’s Seerah, tackle relevant subjective and objective issues, collect research works on the Prophet’s Seerah to build a renewed vision for its prospects. The Conference also aims at providing the organizations and bodies operating in the field of education, culture, science, and communication with systematic mechanisms and tools for the development of action plans and expertise in the field of publicizing the Prophet’s Seerah.

He also clarified that the Conference will tackle four major topics: the Prophet’s Seerah and scientific efforts; the Prophet’s Seerah and the functional dimensions; the Prophet’s Seerah and contemporary issues; and, international living testimonies on the Prophet and Islam.  Several Ulama and professors from other religions accepted ICESCO’s invitation to attend the Conference as credible specialists in the Prophet’s Seerah.

The Conference will issue a declaration and a set of recommendations which will be shared with all international organizations, institutions and bodies specialized in cultural and intercultural dialogue.  

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Implementation of the National Action Plan Project in the Field of Democracy and Human Rights in Morocco, yesterday, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The meeting was part of implementing the outputs of the partnership framework agreement that ICESCO signed with the Ministry of State in Charge of Human Rights and Relations with the Parliament.

Representing ICESCO in the meeting, held via videoconference, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs, gave an address hailing the remarkable significance of the partnership between ICESCO and the Ministry of State in Charge of Human Rights and Relations with the Parliament. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s intention to embrace the action plan, which, he stated, falls within the Organization’s areas of competence, particularly with regard to education on human rights and protection of human rights in cyberspace. The ICESCO representative also highlighted the importance of cooperation with all partners represented in the Project’s Steering Committee.

ICESCO and the Ministry of State in Charge of Human Rights and Relations with the Parliament have signed a partnership framework agreement for coordination and cooperation to give essence to the common goals of the National Action Plan in the Field of Democracy and Human Rights in Morocco.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the Workshop on “Towards a new vision for cultural heritage management,” that the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council held yesterday, May 6, 2021, to explore the role of international organizations in preserving and promoting heritage.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO Director-General, along with Dr. Osama Al-Nahas, Heritage Expert at the Culture and Communication Sector, represented the Organization during the workshop. Dr. Benarafa delivered an address wherein he reviewed ICESCO’s efforts in preserving heritage in the Islamic world, including the establishment of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, the Committee of Archaeological Experts in Charge of Monitoring the Israeli Excavations in the Vicinity of Al Aqsa Mosque, the Heritage Observatory, and the Heritage Projects Support Fund.

ICESCO also launched a new strategic vision for heritage management in the Islamic world, which pays increasing attention to all forms of heritage, through the establishment of its Heritage Center, which is entrusted with preserving, rehabilitating, and promoting heritage and training the people working in all disciplines and branches of heritage.

Dr. Benarafa reviewed the efforts of ICESCO in the fields of heritage during the COVID-19 pandemic. “ICESCO has been among the first international organizations to launch and implement numerous distance initiatives, programmes and training courses, most notably ICESCO Digital Home and the virtual visits to the museums and heritage sites in the Member States,” he underscored.

Regarding ICESCO’s efforts in preserving and promoting the Moroccan cultural heritage, Dr. Benarafa indicated that the Organization fulfills an important supporting role to the relevant efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco. “The Organization has inscribed 21 sites and elements of the Moroccan cultural and natural heritage on the Tentative and Final Islamic World Heritage Lists,” he added.

 ICESCO also provides technical and material support to Morocco for restoring and establishing several museums and heritage projects, including the project of the first museum of intangible heritage, in Marrakesh, as well as the project of “Nuzhati: nature and culture,” in cooperation with Agdal District.

In conclusion, Dr. Benarafa reaffirmed that ICESCO is exerting every effort to support Morocco in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.

Today, May 03, 2021, ICESCO celebrates its 39^th anniversary. On 03 May 1982, the Organization held its Founding Conference, in Fez, Morocco, which approved its Charter, in the implementation of the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, held in Fez, in May 1979, and the decision of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Makkah and Taif, in January 1981, which called on and urged Member States to support and join ICESCO.

Since then, ICESCO has endeavored to promote joint Islamic action in the fields of education, science, and culture, seeking to achieve noble objectives for the Member States and showcase their outstanding civilization potentials and remarkable contributions to human progress.

Despite the various regional and international transformations, ICESCO has exerted every effort to fulfill the aspirations of the Islamic world for a bright and prosperous future for its young generations in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the previous year, which witnessed major global changes, ICESCO passed a milestone through its wide range of activities, programmes, and improvements in the light of the urgent need for crucial changes in its vision and regulations. These changes have allowed the Organization to counter the negative aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of these efforts, ICESCO has regained respect from similar organizations and the approval of its Member States.  The Organization is determined to consolidate these achievements and further expresses its gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to this successful process, in particular the unwavering support from the seat country, Morocco.

On this great occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirms its commitment to preserve and promote the educational, scientific and cultural treasures of the Islamic world.