Category: News update

**Renewal in religion calls for identifying constants and variables in religious texts and figuring out ways for their tangible adoption

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) underlined that current world changes resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak accentuated the dire need for religion.

The DG stated that determining the role of religion within today’s world calls for setting up new mechanisms for thought and communication and laying down clear-cut goals. He added that it also calls for identifying constants and variables in religious texts to adopt them in this ever-changing world, noting that this is the very sense of renewal that Islam promotes.

Dr. AlMalik made the statement at the “Virtual International Academic Conference” that the Spiritual Assembly of the Muslims of Russia organized yesterday, via videoconference. The theme of the conference was “Religion in a changing world: Education and the youth.” The event brought together religious and intellectual leaderships from 20 countries.

The DG called on Russia to become an active part of the Islamic world that defends the interests of its countries and peoples and cooperates with them in their quest for prosperity, progress and development. He noted that Islam is the second biggest religion in Russia, with 20 to 25 million followers out of Russia’s 140-million population.

“ICESCO has embarked on the implementation of the activities likely to showcase its new vision and orientations, most notably the organization of the International Virtual Forum on “Role of Religious Leaderships in Face of Crises,” highlighted Dr. AlMalik.

The theme was “Toward Global Moral Solidarity of Religious Leaderships,” which brought together His Excellency Mr. Idriss Deby Itno, President of Chad, and religious leaderships and institutions of different faiths representing the majority of the world population.

 The forum issued a historical document entitled “ICESCO Declaration for Moral Solidarity,” continued Dr. AlMalik.

Dr. AlMalik also stated that several global religious leaderships and institutions welcomed the declaration. ICESCO published the document in the Organization’s working languages (Arabic, English and French) and submitted this document to the leaders of G20 and the United Nations, he added.

ICESCO’s DG called upon the participants in the Conference of Spiritual assembly of Muslims of Russia to incorporate the “ICESCO Declaration for Moral Solidarity” into the outputs and recommendations of the conference.

He also commended its general guidelines and principles and calling for its translation into the Russian language and the languages of this region’s Muslim communities for wider benefit.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received yesterday, September 23, Dr. Botan Dizayee, Chargé d’affaires of the Iraqi Embassy at Morocco. The two officials explored avenues for cooperation between ICESCO and Iraq in education, science, and culture.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s new vision and strategy that promotes effective communication with the Member States. The Organization prepared country-specific programs that involve local authorities.

“ICESCO also involves non-Member States to capitalize on their expertise in education, science, innovation, and culture, and can join ICESCO as observer states,” he added.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the ICESCO’s major initiatives, programs, and activities to help countries counter the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Organization, in cooperation with donors, aided multiple Member States to ensure the continuity of schooling, provide prevention materials, establish best-cost sanitizer production units, and train local community members.

The DG also stated that the Organization held many ministerial conferences and international forums during the pandemic. Heads of states and renowned international figures took part in several events, underlined Dr. AlMalik, while commending the active participation of the Iraqi officials.

Dr. Hassan Nazim, Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities participated in last July’s “The International Conference on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property and its Restitution.”

“ICESCO has exerted great efforts to protect and conserve heritage through the establishment of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, the inscription of historic sites and intangible heritage on the Islamic World Heritage List, as well as the establishment of the Heritage Center,” explained Dr. AlMalik.

“Iraq is among the countries most exposed to looting and desecration of antiquities. We can cooperate in this regard to inscribe the largest number possible of Iraqi heritage sites on the List,” he stressed.

The Iraqi Chargé d’affaires commended ICESCO’s great efforts and support to the Member States while stressing his country’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization, particularly in the field of heritage.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met on September 23, with Mr. Traore Idrissa, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Morocco.

The Officials explored cooperation and partnership opportunities between ICESCO and the Republic in education, science, and culture.

ICESCO’s new strategy gives priority to and is expanding cooperation with the African Member States, underlined Dr. AlMalik.

The DG listed the major aspects of ICESCO’s new vision, including enhanced communication with the Member States for country-specific programs that are implemented in cooperation with each Member State’s local authorities.

 The DG noted that ICESCO’s initiatives, programs, and activities provided technological devices and equipment to 25 countries to support the production of educational content. The goal was to ensure the continuity of distance schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ICESCO also provided preventive equipment and hygiene products to 10 other countries, elaborated Dr. AlMalik. The Organization granted financial and technical aid to produce best-cost sanitizers units in several countries along with training for local communities.

Dr. AlMalik also highlighted the endeavors to modernize ICESCO’s work by introducing new operational models and implementing efficient strategies. One measure was to create specialized centers for strategic foresight, artificial intelligence, Arabic courses to non-native speakers, heritage, dialogue, and cultural diversity.

He stated that the aim is to turn ICESCO into an active contributor in guaranteeing the right to inclusive and equitable education and supporting scientific research and innovation.

The Organization also targets safeguarding cultural and civilizational heritage as a key element in preserving identity, while it. supports cultural dialogue to achieve peace and coexistence. The Organization assists the Member States in attaining sustainable development by building capacities among women and young people.

The DG lauded the active participation of Ivoirian officials in ICESCO’s conferences and international forums. The events bring together high-caliber participants including heads of states and prominent international figures.  

The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire commended the Organization’s distinguished work carried out during the pandemic. He also lauded the assistance ICESCO provided to the Member States, especially in Africa.

The Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s willingness to develop cooperation with ICESCO and benefit from its outstanding programs.

Habib El Malki: “ICESCO is a soft power with whom we share the same values and orientations.”

Mr. Habib El Malki, President of the Moroccan House of Representatives, commended the initiatives of the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) to support cultural development and international outreach.

Mr. El Malki expressed his confidence in ICESCO’s approach to promote inter-civilizational dialogue, asserting that “ICESCO is a soft power with whom we share the same values and orientations.”

The statement was part of Mr. El Malki’s Tuesday meeting with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director-General (DG), at the headquarters of the House of Representatives in Rabat.

Mr. El Malki highlighted the major role of the Late King Hassan II in ICESCO’s establishment in 1982.

“The Organization has significant international importance with its 54 Member States from all regions. The Organization’s efforts should be directed toward supporting the African countries in particular,” he stressed.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed Morocco’s status as a founding and supportive country of the Organization. He also reviewed the of ICESCO’s strategic framework and upcoming projects, while highlighting the transparent vision.

Morocco is a key partner for ICESCO, underlined Dr. AlMalik while commending the Organization’s project in Morocco in education, culture, and heritage conservation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on September 22, Mr. Nikolaj Harris, Ambassador Denmark to Morocco. The discussions explored cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Denmark in education, science, and culture.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the main aspects of ICESCO’s development and progress following the re-engineered strategy. The Organization implemented an inclusive partnership policy with Member and non-Member States, international organizations, and civil society institutions.

ICESCO adopted a new Charter allowing non-Member States to join the Organization as observers, explained the DG. The membership gives full access to ICESCO’s activities, albeit not voting rights.

Observers can also hold partnerships and exchange expertise with countries of the Islamic world. Dr. AlMalik called on Denmark to join ICESCO as an observer state.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s major initiatives, programs, and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic to aid Member States in sustaining schooling continuity, accessing prevention tools, and training in best-cost sanitizer production units.

ICESCO also organized ministerial videoconferences and virtual international forums during the pandemic, with a notable participation from the heads of states and renowned international figures.

Dr. AlMalik listed the Organization’s specialized centers for strategic foresight, Artificial Intelligence, Arabic courses for non-native speakers, heritage and cultural diversity.

“Denmark is one of the advanced countries in education and vocational training. Cooperation in this field can contribute to the development of educational systems in ICESCO’s Member States,” the DG stressed.

Ambassador Harris reaffirmed Denmark’s keenness to cooperate with ICESCO. He also commended ICESCO’s efforts and work during the pandemic and for the promotion of intercultural dialogue to achieve a much-needed coexistence worldwide.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim AlMalik, and the President of the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection in Saudi Arabia, Ali bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi, explored ways to develop the mechanisms of the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management” (KSAAEM). ICESCO oversees the General Secretariat for the award.

The two officials discussed the upcoming submission of applications for the 2020-2021 award. They also reviewed the preparations for the 9th Conference for Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, to be held in Jeddah in 2021.

Today’s videoconference discussed the ongoing preparations for KSAAEM’s 3rd staging and the roadmap for online applications. The meeting underlined the launch of the Award’s new website, the media plan, as well as academic, technical, administrative, financial, and logistical supervision.

The two parties also reviewed proposals to increase the award’s outreach at both the regional and international levels. The proposals will be discussed with local authorities in Member States to promote their efforts in environment protection and sustainable development.

One proposal is to nominate international figures as members of the award’s High Committee. The plan is also to invite institutions and corporations active on the environmental front to take part in the award.

The ceremony will be held during the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World.

The parties discussed the preparations both for Jeddah’s conference and Rabat’s the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment in 2021.

KSAAEM aims to consolidate the broad concept of environmental management, raise environmental awareness, and encourage civil society to protect the environment for future generations.
Nominees can submit their own applications or can be nominated by third parties (individuals or institutions). Eligible nominees include experts in environmental management and sustainable development from the Islamic world. They can be individuals, institutions, organizations, corporations, bodies, associations, both governmental and non-governmental entities.