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    Category: News update

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    ICESCO and Space Foundation Hold Working Session to Discuss their Partnership Agreement

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Space Foundation, Monday, May 10, 2021, held a working session to explore areas of cooperation and agree upon the key axes of the partnership agreement the two parties will sign in the upcoming period.

    ICESCO Director-General (DG), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Space Foundation Chief Operation Officer, Shelli Brunswick, chaired the working session, held via videoconference, with the participation of several ICESCO heads of sectors and departments as well as several executive directors at the Space Foundation attended the meeting.

    During the meeting, the Space Foundation team presented the major initiatives and programs the Foundation launched and implemented, particularly regarding the use of space technology in developing the fields of agriculture, environment protection, entrepreneurship, education and communication, data analysis, health, and energy. The team also addressed the challenges facing the use of space technology and the opportunities of this advanced technology.

    The team reaffirmed the Space Foundation’s keenness to build a partnership with various institutions, bodies, and governments to achieve mutual goals.

    For his part, ICESCO DG underlined the importance of cooperation between the Organization and the Space Foundation in ICESCO’s areas of competence. He explained that such cooperation will be based on practical and goal-oriented programs with measurable results, such as girl integration in science and space technology education, stating that space is the future.

    Several ICESCO heads of sectors put forth several ideas pertaining to cooperation in organizing several joint seminars and workshops and inquired about the details of some areas of cooperation, which the Foundation team answered.

    AlMalik: ICESCO Strives to Publicize and Ensure Sustainability of Islamic Civilizational Heritage

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that the Organization’s new strategic cultural plan pays great attention to the human tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The DG added that “ICESCO’s efforts aim to ensure heritage management and preservation through modern mechanisms and appropriate strategies to publicize the successful experiences in conserving and sustaining heritage to serve as a lever for cultural and socio-economic development in the Islamic world.”

    The statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the opening ceremony of the First Celebration of the International Day of Argania that the UN General Assembly adopted on March 3rd, 2021, at the initiative of Morocco and with the support of UN Member States. The celebration was organized at the Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University, in Rabat, under the theme “Three decades of research and development for sustainable development of the Argan tree,” yesterday, May 10, 2021, with the participation of Dr. Saaïd Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Mohamed Ghachi, President of Mohammed V University; and Dr. Mohammed El Ragragui, Dean of the Faculty of Science of Mohammed V University, as well as a host of researchers and experts in the field.

    Dr. AlMalik praised Morocco’s initiative to preserve the Argan tree, which is a new achievement added to its accomplishments in preserving its environmental and architectural treasures, defending its socio-cultural symbols, and promoting its tangible and intangible heritage. The initiative reaffirms the strong international support for the Moroccan national strategy, entitled “Forests of Morocco” that His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched, and which includes an ambitious project to plant 10,000 argan trees over a six-year period.

    ICESCO DG also stated that the Organization will support women’s enterprises in Morocco, particularly women’s agricultural cooperatives in rural areas, including the argan cooperatives. Such support, he stated, is part of the Organization’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, which includes many programmes and activities to enhance the participation of women in building the future and achieving sustainable development and falls within the framework of its partnership with the Alwaleed Philanthropies.

    At the close of his address, Dr. Al-Malik called on the competent authorities in Morocco to submit the file of the Argan tree for its inscription on the Islamic World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, stressing that ICESCO is fully prepared to support the scientific research works relevant to the tree.

    ICESCO Strongly Condemns Israeli Violations at Al-Quds Al-Sharif

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    As Muslims are observing the last days of the holy month of Ramadan with its spiritual moments during which they spread out love and peace symbolizing their respect for the teachings of Islam that calls for kindness and goodwill, the Palestinians in Al-Quds Al-Sharif are being subjected to the oppression and suppression of the Israeli occupation forces.

    With these recent developments, ICESCO strongly condemns the violations of the Israeli occupation army to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and denounces such actions which spill over in more violence and bloodshed among innocent people. ICESCO also holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the attacks against the defenseless civilians.

    Besides, ICESCO draws the attention of all defenders of peace and human rights to this human tragedy, calling for a firm position to protect the relevant rights and holy places. It also recalls that Al-Quds Al-Sharif has remained for centuries a symbol of love and peace and the crossroads of all monotheistic religions. Thus, the entire humanity is summoned to defend the rights of the people of Al-Quds Al-Sharif to live in peace.

    The Organization stresses its firm position in support of the victims and their families and calls on the international community to assume all its responsibilities to put an end to these heinous acts which fuel hatred and threaten international harmony and peace.

    ICESCO Undertakes to Support Efforts for Promoting Socio-cultural Rights in Countries of Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that “the Organization will continue its close cooperation with the Member States to develop, support, and keep up with all projects, initiatives, and efforts aimed at enabling the peoples of countries of the Islamic World to fully enjoy their socio-cultural rights while adding that the debate on such rights would no longer be raised in the immediate future.”

    The statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the webinar that the Human Rights Information and Training Center (HRITC) organized, in cooperation with ICESCO, on May 9, 2021, under the theme: “Towards a vision for strengthening the protection mechanisms of socio-cultural rights: challenges and prospects.”

    The webinar saw the participation of Ezzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of Yemen to Morocco; Dr. Muhammad Amin Maidani, Lecturer in Law at the University of Strasbourg; and Mr. Alaa Shalaby, President of the Arab Organization for Human Rights; in addition to a group of experts and activists.

    Dr. AlMalik explained that socio-economic and cultural rights are an essential part of human rights, which include the right to education, adequate housing, health care, food, and water as well as the right to employment. He also noted that “although the international instruments and treaties enshrining these basic rights are remarkably advanced, thanks to the considerable international efforts, we are still lagging behind.”

    ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s vision and efforts to create the appropriate conditions to enable all peoples of the Islamic world to fully enjoy their socio-cultural rights, highlighting that ICESCO has been working on a clear strategy to bring about a positive change in the field of human rights, including the socio-cultural rights, in the light of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “ICESCO has also launched several important projects and programmes in its Member States, particularly for youth and women, in cooperation with a group of donor institutions,” he underscored.

    Dr. AlMalik stressed that the international community still has much to do to find innovative ideas and visions likely to consolidate socio-cultural rights, support the role of organizations and the private sector to strengthen the integration of roles and build a society that can face the increasingly difficult challenges.

    ICESCO Inaugurates its Program, “Aspects of Islamic World Heritage”

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    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).

    ICESCO Celebrates African World Heritage Day

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    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.

    Under High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco ICESCO Will Hold International Conference on Civilizational Values in Prophet’s Seerah

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    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.  

    ICESCO Takes Part in Meeting of Steering Committee of Implementation of National Action Plan Project in Field of Democracy and Human Rights in Morocco

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    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.

    ICESCO Participates in “Towards a New Vision for Cultural Heritage Management” Workshop

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    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.

    Exploring Arrangements for Holding International Symposium on Smart and Resilient Sustainable Cities

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Regional Environment Department of Agadir, Agadir Prefecture, Agadir Municipality, and Ibn Zohr University in Morocco held a coordination meeting to explore the arrangements for organizing an international symposium on smart and resilient sustainable cities on June 3-4, 2021. The parties discussed holding the meeting face-to-face and via videoconferencing, in Agadir, Morocco, in celebration of the World Environment Day (observed on June 5).

    ICESCO took part in the meeting via videoconference, on May 5, 2021, and was represented by Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Adviser at the Sector of Science and Technology, and Dr. Foued El-Ayni, Expert at the Sector. Dr. Mohammad Alaoui, Head of the Department of Natural and Exact Sciences at the UNESCO Maghreb Office represented UNESCO, while Dr. Najat Zarrouk, Director of the Development Pole and the African Local Governments Academy (ALGA), represented UCLG.

    Dr. Mohamed Saidi from Mohamed V University in Rabat, Ms. Khadija Sami, Regional Director of Environment of the Souss Massa Region, Mr. Ahmad Sharmata, President of the Environment Department at Agadir Prefecture, Ms. Laila Ouabaali, Head of the Department of Environment Protection at Agadir City Council, and Prof. Dr. Abdelhamid Al-Mussadaq, Vice President of Ibn Zohr University in Charge of Scientific Research attended the meeting.

    Participants in the meeting discussed the possibility of implementing field awareness-raising activities on June 5, in cooperation with the civil society, organizations and other stakeholders, in a bid to contribute to the global efforts to protect the environment, raise awareness of environmental issues and ensure a better future for the next generations.

    At the close of the meeting, the parties agreed to pool efforts to allocate all logistic resources to ensure the success of the symposium, held as part of the celebration of Agadir as the Islamic World Environmental Capital for 2020-2021 and the celebration of World Environment Day, that Pakistan will host this year, under the slogan “Restoring the Ecosystem.” The celebration of World Environment Day aims to raise environmental awareness across the globe and shed light on pressing and current environmental issues.