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    Category: News update

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    Inscription of 91 historical sites and cultural elements on ICESCO Heritage Lists in Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) announced the inscription of 91 historical sites and cultural elements on the tentative and final lists of tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world. This announcement was part of the Final Report of the 12th IWHC Meeting, held in Shusha, Republic of Azerbaijan, on 8-9 October 2024. With this latest addition, the number of cultural properties inscribed has reached 724 sites and elements.

    Upon examining the nomination files submitted by ICESCO Member States, the IWHC adopted the inscription of 69 historical sites and cultural elements in the Final List from 23 countries, namely, Jordan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Nigeria, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Iran, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, Afghanistan, Guinea, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Niger, and Syria.

    The Committee also adopted the inscription of 22 files on the Tentative List submitted by four countries, namely Uzbekistan, Palestine, Mauritania and Egypt.

    Likewise, the 12th IWHC adopted the Report of the Activities of the Heritage Centre for 2024; the Heritage Center Vision and Strategies for the Next Biennium; and the Proposal Methods and Process of Inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List. The Committee also issued decisions to adopt the “Heritage Fund in the Islamic World”; “Green heritage”; “Museums and illicit trafficking in cultural property in the Islamic World”; and “The Cultural and Intellectual Register of the Islamic World”.

    At the close of the meeting, hosted by Shusha as part of its celebration at the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, the Committee issued a number of recommendations, notably, dedicating a number of programs to raise the awareness of students and youth of the importance of cultural heritage; holding intensive training workshops for workers in heritage sites and museums in the Member States; and submitting more files on heritage sites and cultural elements for inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List. The Committee also recommended publicizing heritage sites, and cultural elements inscribed on the Final List of Heritage in the Islamic World; ensuring their update using alternative means and modern technologies; and enriching the Portal of Heritage in the Islamic World.

    ICESCO participates in organizing a round-table on occasion of World Mental Health Day

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    In celebration of the World Mental Health Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, WHO, European Union Delegation in Morocco, Arab Voluntary Union in Bahrain held a round-table under the theme: “All for the Mental Health and Well-Being of Youth”, to raise awareness of the importance of concerting efforts at all levels to address mental health issues and support people suffering from mental disorders.

    In his speech at the opening of the round-table, today, Wednesday (9 October 2024) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Youth and Culture – Youth Sector – in Rabat, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, touched upon the relationship between mental health and culture, stating that cultural activities contribute to reducing mental illnesses and disorders. He gave an overview of ICESCO’s anti-bullying programme, which includes holding a series of educational workshops, lectures and various competitions.

    For her part, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector at ICESCO, praised the fruitful partnership between ICESCO, the Ministry and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, which culminated in holding this roundtable. She also reviewed ICESCO’s efforts in the field of health and psychological care.

    Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mustafa Al-Masoudi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Youth Sector, praised the distinguished partnership between the Ministry and ICESCO, translated in a number of programmes and projects.

    For his part, Mr. Ismail Taqi, Head of Trade Facilitation Department at the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, pointed out that mental health is one of the determinants of social balance to achieve development at various levels, and that the Centre pays great attention to youth.

    Mr. Fouad Chafiqi, Inspector General of Educational Affairs at the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in the Kingdom of Morocco, reviewed the Ministry’s strategy to combat school violence.

    Following the opening session, the participants officially launched the Psychological First Aid Guide, and the graphic story “Show Me Your Smile”, by the Egyptian writer Hegra Mahmoud Al-Sawy Ahmed, which deals with the phenomenon of bullying in schools. Then the winners of the story illustrations competition were announced, with artist Badr Rahawi came first, Osama Otrot second, and Youssef Rahali from the Kingdom of Morocco came third.

    The winners of the Innovation Lab-Youth Changemakers Initiative 2024, launched in partnership between ICESCO, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, were also announced as part of ICESCO’s International Forum “From Youth for Youth”.

    For the record, the first session of the roundtable discussed “Confronting Mental Health Challenges in Times of Crisis: Drawing Lessons from Best Practices and Case Studies”, while the second session debated: “ICESCO’s Anti-Bullying Programme: Enhancing Shared Knowledge to Build a Strong Psychological Future for Children and Youth”.

    Twelfth Meeting of Islamic World Heritage Committee kicks off in Shusha

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The 12th meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC), being hosted in Shusha, Republic of Azerbaijan, as part of the celebration of Shusha as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, kicked off on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The meeting will examine Member States’ nomination files of historical sites and cultural elements for inscription on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, review the vision and activities of ICESCO’s Heritage Center, present its 2024 publications, and discuss major challenges facing the Center.

    The meeting began with the address of Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), delivered on his behalf by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, in which he reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to support efforts aimed at preserving the Islamic world’s heritage through a series of books published to identify endangered archaeological sites and cultural elements, and inscribe more historical sites and cultural elements on the Islamic world heritage lists, which so far include a total of 637 sites and cultural elements.

    He explained that ICESCO, in cooperation with specialists and experts from various countries, is striving to achieve a qualitative leap in heritage preservation, and seeks through its action plans and its Islamic World Heritage Center to strengthen the capacities of heritage stakeholders by providing them with the necessary knowledge tools to carry out their activities in conformity with international standards.

    In his address, Eng. Mohammed Al-Aidarous, Chairman of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, thanked the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting the meeting, indicating that the meeting will discuss a number of major issues affecting the Islamic world’s heritage, which will support the restoration and preservation of heritage.

    In her address, Ms. Saadet Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, pointed out that heritage faces a number of challenges that may threaten its existence, particularly conflicts and wars, and that the preservation of this heritage is a right for future generations.

    Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, presented the Center’s next two-year strategy, its vision and priorities, and its key programs and activities. The Center’s experts presented a number of documents and reports on the finalization of the Islamic World Heritage Portal and highlighted the Center’s partnerships, in addition to a presentation on the major publications of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center for 2024.

    “Post-globalization thinking:” A conference at the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), delivered a lecture titled “Post-globalization thinking” this Monday, October 7, 2024, at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities of the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, on the occasion of the opening of the new academic year.

    In his lecture, Dr. Fathalrahman presented evidence of the decline of the “era of globalization” in favor of an emerging new structure, that is being experienced by the world, offering a systematic critique of the concept of globalization and its attempts at unilateral ideological stereotyping based on Western theory with its capitalist economic and democratic political pillars as threatened themselves by the Western behavior itself.

    He also highlighted the issue of “thinking” as a complex system that belongs to the realm of ideas, with all its requirements of intentionality and seriousness, in order to produce systematic visions based on the scientific framework. He also called on students and teachers to exercise the utmost diligence in creating new concepts in an age that allows for this kind of intellectual creativity, just as ICESCO has adopted the concept of “civilizational diplomacy”.

    The conference was attended by Dr. Abdeljalil Lokrifa, Dean of the Faculty, his deputy and a number of teachers and students of the humanities.

    ICESCO Deputy Director-General participates in Moulay Ali Sharif International Spiritual Forum in Marrakech

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the fourth edition of the International Spiritual Forum of Moulay Ali Cherif, who was buried in Marrakech, organized by the Moulay Ali Cherif Al Mourrakouchi Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, Cadi Ayyad University, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Regional Academy of Education and Training in Marrakech, in cooperation with Mohammed V University in Rabat, on the topic: “The Spiritual Heritage of the Prophet’s Family: Fundamentals and Innovations in the Contemporary Era: Study and Evaluation.”

    During the opening session of the forum held on Thursday (3 October 2024) at the Mohammed VI Museum of Water Civilization in Marrakech, Dr. Benarafa commended the topic of the Forum, which is held as part of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of culture in the Islamic world, noting that it is witnessing an intensive participation of a number of faculties, scholars and researchers from Morocco and several Arab, African and Western countries.

    The Forum featured two scientific sessions to reflect upon the origins of the spiritual legacy of the noble Prophet’s family and the extent of its importance and manifestations among Moroccans, as well as its effects on the Moroccan Sufism and its enlightened influence in its African and human sphere.

    The Forum concluded with a spiritual ceremony celebrating the birth anniversary of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Moulay Ali Sharif Prize for Scientific Studies and Research was also presented at its first founding session.

    ICESCO Director-General Calls for Action to Ensure a Sustainable Future for Education

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized that no sector is more in need of being approached with a future-oriented perspective and addressed through the concept of sustainability than education. He noted that traditional schools will soon become a part of the past, giving way to schools driven by artificial intelligence, expanded virtual spaces, and remote learning environments. Future professions and jobs, many of which do not yet exist today, will replace about 85% of the current jobs.
    These remarks were made during his virtual address today, Sunday 6 October 2024, at the opening session of the international forum, “Education of the Future: Innovation and Technology for Sustainability.”

    The Event is organized by Al-Saad Foundation for Knowledge and Scientific Research, under the patronage of Sheikha Fadyah Saad Abdullah Al Sabah, Chairwoman of the Foundation, in cooperation with several ministries and bodies in Kuwait. The Forum will span two days, featuring high-level international participation.

    During his address, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Forum follows the conclusion of ICESCO’s Conference of Education Ministers, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman on 2-3 October 2024. This conference was one of the largest education events witnessed in the Islamic world in the past fifty years. One of its key outcomes was the reaffirmation of the close connection between education and upbringing, refuting all claims that call for a complete separation between the two. Education, he explained, is intrinsically linked to ethics and values, and the future demands that we adhere to frameworks that confirm the necessity of ethics, especially in the era of digitization and artificial intelligence.

    He also stressed the inevitable importance of maintaining ethical principles in education, particularly as the younger generation is the most engaged with technological tools and digital applications. Global curricula are rapidly moving toward the adoption of AI applications, making it essential to recognize the family’s critical role as a full partner in completing the four pillars of the educational process: student, teacher, school, and family; ensuring harmony among these four elements is key to safeguarding a future free of extremism and intolerance.

    In conclusion, Dr. AlMalik called for a balanced and well-thought-out approach to developing education, one that is open to learning from others while avoiding blind adoption of their methods. He noted that many Islamic countries still suffer from economic deficiencies that hinder their ability to meet modern educational requirements.

    According to a recent UN report, there are 250 million young people globally who are considered school dropouts or have received inadequate education, with the majority of them coming from Islamic countries. This is largely due to misguided policies and unjust wars, such as those waged by the Zionist entity in Palestine, which targets schools and educational facilities. Dr. AlMalik urged for a louder call to stop this injustice and reduce this tragedy, to ensure that future generations receive an education in a safe and supportive environment.

    ICESCO Director-General Holds a Series of Meetings with Participants in ICESCO Education Ministers Conference in Muscat

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of meetings with officials and representatives of major global organizations and companies specializing in education, on the sidelines of ICESCO Education Ministers Conference, held in Muscat, Oman, on October 2-3, 2024.

    These meetings centered on strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the entities represented by the Conference attendees, in line with the Organization’s vision and strategic directions, particularly in transforming education.

    The first meeting featured representatives of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), including Mr. Olli-Pekka, Director General, Mr. Haif Bannayan, Global Director of Business Development, and Dr. Shehzad Jeeva, Chief Education Officer. The discussions focused on cooperation to develop a joint policy paper on improving teaching quality and mechanisms for teacher training.

    Dr. AlMalik also met with Ms. Christine Ozden, Global Director of Climate Education at the University of Cambridge, and Ms. Jane Mann, Managing Director at the University’s Partnership for Education, and discussed the Green Education Project in ICESCO Member States.

    Additionally, Dr. AlMalik received a delegation from NewGlobe Education, which included Dr. Shannon May, President of the company, Mr. Jay Kimmelman, CEO, and Mr. Isfundiar Kasuri, Director of Policy and Partnerships. The meeting tackled a project aimed at improving the quality of education.


    Dr. AlMalik met with Dr. Wendy Kopp, CEO of the Teach For All Network, where they discussed their commitment to developing and improving education in ICESCO Member States, and emphasized the importance of diverse partnerships in transforming education.

    Finally, Dr. AlMalik also met with a delegation from Avantis, which included Mr. David Fairbairn-Day, Head of Education Strategy, and Mr. Alistair Hayward, Chief Revenue Officer. The meeting explored the academic aspects of educational technologies and their impact on students.

    ICESCO Director-General meets with Ministers of Education of Iran and Pakistan

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held two separate meetings with the respective Ministers of Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The meetings focused on ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the two countries in educational fields through the joint implementation of a number of initiatives, programs, projects and activities.

    The two meetings took place in Muscat, on the sidelines of the Third ICESCO Education Ministers Conference, held by the Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman, and in coordination with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The Conference was held on October 2-3, 2024, under the theme: “Beyond the Transforming Education Summit: From Commitments to Actions”, and saw high-level participation.

    During the two meetings, Dr. AlMalik stressed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with its Member States, as part of its new vision and strategic orientations, in all areas of the Organization’s competence, especially education.

    The DG also held a meeting with Mr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister of Education and Vocational Training in Pakistan, and together they discussed the latest developments of cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan in education, training and scholarships.

    The meeting focused on a set of proposals for cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan in areas of common interest. At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain coordination to implement a number of these proposals.

    During his meeting with Alireza Kazemi, Minister of Education of Iran, and his accompanying delegation, the Director General explained that the Organization attaches great importance to supporting the efforts of its Member States in developing their educational systems, in accordance with the orientations and needs of each country.

    For his part, the Iranian Minister praised the success of the ICESCO Education Ministers Conference and the Organization’s roles in supporting the efforts of its Member States in its areas of competence. The meeting discussed a number of ideas for joint cooperation between ICESCO and Iran, agreeing to work on examining and implementing some of them.

    ICESCO and UAE Discuss Strengthening Cooperation in Education

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, to explore new avenues for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the UAE in education.

    The meeting was held in Muscat, Oman, on the sidelines of the 3rd ICESCO Education Ministers Conference, hosted by Oman on October 2-3, 2024, under the theme: “Beyond Transforming Education: From Commitments to Actions.”


    Dr. AlMalik opened the discussion by congratulating Ms. Al Amiri on her appointment as Minister of Education, expressing his best wishes for her success in this key role. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to expanding cooperation with the UAE within the Organization’s areas of competence, particularly in education, in line with its new vision and strategic directions, and in light of the outcomes of the Conference.

    Ms. Al Amiri, in turn, praised ICESCO’s efforts in the field of education and commended the valuable discussions and documents presented at the Conference. She also reiterated the UAE’s support for ICESCO’s contribution to advancing educational systems in its Member States.

    The meeting touched on key programs and projects under consideration for cooperation between ICESCO and the UAE in the coming period, particularly in the areas of education, training, and youth capacity-building.

    ICESCO Education Ministers Conference Concludes its Third Session with Issuing ‘Muscat Declaration’

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The third session of ICESCO’s Education Ministers Conference, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, on 2-3 October 2024, concluded with the adoption of “Muscat Declaration”, which features historic resolutions approved by the education ministers of the Islamic world to strengthen commitments to transform education, develop effective mechanisms to disseminate best practices and accelerate their implementation, and build a thriving and prosperous future.

    The declaration includes a set of commitments and orientations, formulated based on the conference documents prepared by ICESCO’s General Directorate and the discussions between the ministers and international experts in the field of education: enforcing all the resolutions adopted by the Conference, and establish a “Monitoring and Coordination Platform”, in cooperation with Member States’ competent authorities, to monitor the progress of our countries towards transforming education.

    The Declaration welcomed the launch of the Charter of ICESCO for Artificial Intelligence Ethics in the Islamic World, adopted ICESCO’s initiative to adapt the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to the specificities and priorities of Member States, adopted the gender equality indicator as a strategic indicator within the education system, and highlighted the alignment between the goals of transforming education, and the values of the Islamic world.

    The Declaration also condemned the vicious attacks on educational institutions in Gaza, Palestine and South of Lebanon perpetrated by the Israeli occupation, and in other Member States, which have deprived millions of students of their right to education, and reaffirmed solidarity and support for efforts to restore the right to education for students in Member States affected by wars, disasters, and crises.

    During its second day, the conference reviewed and discussed a number of key documents, notably “ICESCO’s Educational Activities from January 2021 to July 2024”, “Status of Girls’ Education”, “Media Education: Horizons and Aspirations”, “High-Level Ministerial Dialogue (HLMD), London – May 2024: Transforming Education: Pathways to ICESCO Education Ministers Conference, Muscat 2024”, “Islamic World Artificial Intelligence Charter”, “Early Childhood Care and Education Development: Foundations for the Future”, “The Progress of Education Transformation from Commitments to Action 2022-2024: Post Transforming Education Summit (TES)”, “Greening Education for ICESCO Member States”, “Developing Teaching Quality”, and “Contextualizing PISA: Empowering ICESCO Member States for Global Excellence in Education” and “Digital Education”.

    During the third working session, the heads of delegations of Member States delivered their statements, sharing visions during fruitful discussions to strengthen and promote the commitments of countries to transform education and agree on the appropriate mechanisms to fulfill such objective.

    In his closing address, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director General, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, may Allah protect him, and all the parties involved in the conference, for their support and hospitality to ensure the success of this remarkable event. He also commended the contributions of the participants in the various sessions through their interventions, discussions and constructive proposals, to achieve the ambitions aimed at transforming education from a simple commitment to a concrete reality.

    For her part, Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al-Shaibani, Minister of Education, Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, thanked the participants and ICESCO, stressing the importance of the outcomes of the conference to build a better future for educational systems.

    At the close of the conference, ICESCO Director General read a message of thanks and gratitude sent by the conference participants to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Sultan of Oman.