Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan through several programs and projects in the field of education and youth capacity building.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (July 27, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Hamid Asghar Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as some heads of ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Hussain reaffirmed their keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan and expand their partnership to implement new set of programs and projects.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major current programs and projects of the Organization falling within the framework of its vision and strategic orientations, which give priority to the development of educational systems in its Member States, building youth capacities and developing their skills to keep up with the ongoing global technological developments.

For his part, Dr. Hussain commended ICESCO’s role in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that there are broad areas for developing this bilateral partnership.

The meeting touched on joint programs and projects, some of which are already underway and another to be launched during the next phase, most notably the program for improving water and sanitation services in several rural schools in Pakistan, and updates on and rules for obtaining scholarships offered by Pakistan for the youth from the Islamic world through ICESCO.

The two parties also discussed cooperation in a number of ICESCO programs aimed at enhancing the exchange of experiences between the Muslim countries, including ICESCO Digital Library, and supporting the educational process in some of the neediest Member States.

After the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Hussain on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently hosted by ICESCO headquarters, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana” signed a cooperation agreement for the implementation of a set of joint programs and activities for strengthening scientific and religious dialogue, and promoting the culture of peace, coexistence and mutual respect.

The agreement was signed on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, on the sidelines of the International Seminar “Germany and the Islamic World: Understanding and Development,” in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, and Mr. Rober Dölger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The agreement was signed by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahmane, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Director General of the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana.”

Under the terms of the agreement, ICESCO and the Mwatana Institute will co-organize a series of symposia, conferences and workshops, and support and conduct scientific research to consolidate the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue. It also provides for the organization of visits by heads of state and government.

The high-level officials and international specialized experts participating in the international seminar: “Germany and the Islamic World: Understanding and Developing,” held at ICESCO Headquarters, on Thursday (July 27, 2023), stressed the need to support the culture of peace, dialogue and understanding, open up new horizons for understanding and cultural exchange, promote the values of mercy and counter hatred and incitement.

The seminar, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana,” began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, wherein he underscored that the unique relationship between the Islamic world and Germany is worth pondering upon, explored and studied.

Besides, he pointed out that the Arab-Islamic culture has represented for centuries a rich field of study for intellects and researchers, with remarkable scientific impartiality, hailing the approach adopted by German thinkers that resulted in inspiring inferences highlighting the treasures of the Arab-Islamic heritage and paved the way for new methods of serious research in this heritage.

ICESCO Director-General also indicated that the world is currently in dire need of consolidating understanding and finding better ways to express cultural differences far from fanaticism and aggression on sanctities.

In his address, Dr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation in building a bright future for all, underscoring that this seminar is a unique opportunity to enhance cooperation and mobilize the capacities, expertise and knowledge of our nations.

For his part, Mr. Robert Dölger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Morocco, pointed out that Arab studies on European Orientalism open up new perspectives on the Arab world and help to strengthen understanding and cultural exchange between peoples.

Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Director-General of the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding “Mouatana,” stressed the importance of understanding the concept of citizenship as every citizen is an ambassador of his or her country. He also called for promoting the values of Islamic tolerance and peace in Germany to spread the message of mercy and confront hatred and incitement.

The first working session featured papers examining the relationship between Germany and the Islamic world, with the participation of Mr. Abdul Samad Al-Yazidi, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor to ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, and Ms. Rabab Nissabieh, Public Relations Expert at the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.

At the end of the session, the Director General of “Mouatana” Institute presented the ICESCO Director-General with the Institute’s shield and an ancient stone from Berlin Wall. For his part, Dr. AlMalik presented Mr. Al-Yazidi with ICESCO’s shield in recognition of his efforts and contributions in promoting civilizational dialogue.

In the second working session, Dr. Abdulmalik Hibaoui, President of the German-Moroccan Council in Germany and head of the Department of Religious Dialogue at Mouatana Institute, presented an academic analysis of his book “German Orientalism: Study on Emergence, Evolution, and the Research Fields,” recently published by ICESCO, followed by critical interventions from Dr. Hatem El-Jawhari and Dr. Mohammed Massoudi.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Abdel-Wadoud Kharbouch, Director-General of the Moroccan National Agency for the Fight against Illiteracy, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Organization and the Agency, and share experiences with the authorities concerned with the fight against illiteracy in Muslim countries.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday (June 22, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of eradicating all forms of illiteracy, which is no longer limited to the lack of reading and writing skills but has taken new forms with the global developments.

ICESCO DG also commended the efforts made by the Agency and the bilateral cooperation, recently demonstrated by the organization of the International Conference on Lifelong Learning, and the signing of a framework agreement to collaborate in the implementation of development projects in the field of literacy, and the consolidation of the concept of lifelong learning.

For his part, Dr. Khabrouch welcomed the cooperation between ANLCA and ICESCO and expressed his thanks to the Organization and its Director-General for this partnership.

Discussions also focused on proposals and ideas for innovative programs and projects in the field of literacy, which can be applied in Muslim countries, to address this phenomenon and broaden the concept to include technological, digital, functional literacy, etc.
Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, also attended the meeting.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Muammar Al-Eryani, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Yemen, discussed ways to enhance the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Yemen, especially in the fields of culture, heritage preservation and valorization, and building the capacities of workers in the field.

During the meeting, held on Thursday (June 22, 2023) at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Ambassador Ezzeddin Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of Yemen to Morocco, and the delegation accompanying the Minister, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s key projects and programs in its areas of competence in Yemen, especially in the field of supporting education and building the capacities of young people, including the project of girls catch-up education, in cooperation with Al-Khair Charity for Humanitarian Relief, funded by the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid.

ICESCO DG added that the Organization attaches great importance to supporting Yemen in the field of preserving and promoting heritage; it inscribed several Yemeni historical sites and cultural elements on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, highlighting the Organization’s willingness to provide support in line with the priorities and needs specified by the Yemeni competent authorities.

For his part, Mr. Al-Eryani commended the qualitative leap that ICESCO witnessed during the past three years, and its roles in serving its Member States, stressing Yemen’s willingness to develop fruitful cooperation with ICESCO and expand joint programs and projects.

The meeting discussed a number of proposals for cooperation programs and projects between ICESCO and the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The meeting saw the presence of Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector, and Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

After the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik accompanied Mr. Al-Eryani and his delegation on a tour of the pavilions and sections of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which ICESCO currently hosts at its headquarters, in strategic partnership with the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars, documenting in detail the biography of our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, through the latest display technologies.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) handed out a number of books and references representing an integrated library in the field of philosophy to the Philosophy Department of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Mohammed V University, in Rabat, within the framework of the Organization’s support to universities and higher education institutions in the Member States and its keenness to promote scientific research.

On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, received Dr. Jamal Eddine EL HANI, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and a delegation from the University. During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization attaches great importance to supporting universities and higher education institutions in the Member States through partnership and cooperation with many universities inside and outside the Islamic world, and has established a set of academic chairs to promote scientific research in the fields of education, science and culture, and support excellence and innovation.

For his part, Dr. EL HANI commended ICESCO’s roles in supporting higher education institutions and thanked the Organization and its Director-General for the generous initiative to grant this library, which includes valuable books, to the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

The meeting also brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Mr. Najib Rhiati, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO Director-General, and Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, as well as Dr. Mohammed Doukkali, Head of the Philosophy Department, and Dr. Mohammed Massoudi, Professor at the Department of Philosophy.