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    ICESCO Director General Meets Saudi Cultural Attaché in Rabat

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received yesterday, at ICESCO’s headquarters, Dr. Yussra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi, the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Morocco. The two parties explored the fields of cooperation in the upcoming period, including the celebration of the World Arabic Language Day 2020.

    The meeting, held in the presence of several staff members of the Saudi Cultural Mission, reviewed the arrangements for the celebration of the World Arabic Language Day, due to be held next December at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. The Saudi Cultural Mission will organize one of the celebration’s sessions.

    The meeting also touched upon cooperation between ICESCO and Saudi Arabia in the field of culture, under the new vision and strategy of ICESCO. The strategy promotes further communication with the Member States with the end view of inscribing and protecting tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world and raising awareness of and disseminating the Islamic civilizational heritage around the globe.

    ICESCO DG Extends Condolences on Passing of Former President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), expressed his condolences on the passing of Amadou Toumani Touré, Former President of Mali, may Allah rest his soul, at the headquarters of the Malian Embassy in Rabat.

    Dr. AlMalik, on behalf of ICESCO’s staff members, expressed his condolences to the Malian people on the passing of the Late Amadou Touré, on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, in Turkey, while citing all his virtues and consoling his family.

    In his statement on the Embassy’s book of condolences, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the Late Amadou Touré made great contributions to Mali and had excellent relationships in the political circles.

    ICESCO DG Extends Condolences on Passing of ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings

    The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, extended his condolences on the death of the ex-president of the Republic of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, may Allah have mercy on him, at the Embassy of Ghana in Rabat.

    Dr. AlMalik expressed, on ICESCO’s behalf, his profound sympathy and condolences to the people of Ghana on the loss of Jerry Rawlings who passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020. The DG also praised the role the late ex-President had played in the history of Ghana as it led the country between 1979 and 2001.

    In a message he wrote on the book of condolences of the Embassy, Dr. AlMalik stated that Mr. Rawlings was a figure that had enjoyed great respect and appreciation from fellow leaders and friends.

    ICESCO and Mauritania Explore Cooperation

    The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, met on November 17, Mr. Mohamed Ould Hanani, Ambassador of Mauritania to Morocco, at the Organization’s headquarters. The two officials explored areas and programs of cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and new working strategy. He touched on the Organization’s major developments, initiatives, activities, and programs to support Member States’ efforts in the face of adverse repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational, scientific, and cultural fields. He also mentioned the assistance the Organization extended to many countries, including Mauritania.

    The Mauritanian Ambassador lauded the excellent work undertaken in its areas of competence while reaffirming his country’s willingness to sustain constructive measures with the ICESCO.

    ICESCO DG: Culture of Tolerance is our Locomotive towards Future Common Memory of Humankind

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that education is a bastion that should be protected from all forms of bigotry, defamation, and the rejection of differing views, and background.

    “The educational institution should spread the culture of tolerance, respect, dialogue, cooperation, and acceptance of human diversity. It constitutes a space to raise national awareness and promote the proper social upbringing of children and youth, who should learn tolerance as an educational value to become good and open-minded citizens” he added.

    The statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the 3rd Forum of the Kingdom’s Dialogues that King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) in Saudi Arabia held on Monday, November 16, under the theme “We discourse for tolerance”. The videoconference brought together ministers, intellectuals, and directors of research centers as well as experts on the International Day of Tolerance.

    Dr. AlMalik stated that teaching tolerance in educational institutions lies in rejecting discrimination between learners. “Daily interaction based on mutual respect can promote and enrich the national identity,” he continued.

    “The culture of tolerance also aims to build a shared history of mankind in the future through the promotion of various sources of heritage. In Muslim countries, we have a diverse human heritage, which belongs to various nations and is part of our identity and civilizational wealth as well as a soft power at the international level,” stressed Dr. AlMalik.

    ICESCO DG added that human societies today experience an unprecedented exchange of knowledge and constant communication. “We live side by side without isolation. The daily interaction is no more an option, it is rather a universal norm that should be rationally addressed and considered,” he stressed.

    The DG highlighted that ICESCO, as part of its new vision, issued an international document to entrench the bases of solidarity and tolerance. The document, titled “ICESCO Declaration for Moral Solidarity,” received unanimous support from all international religious leadership and institutions. It tackles a key topic “moral solidarity in the face of crises” based on two foundations: the need for universal ethics and the need for preserving human dignity.

    Dr. AlMalik underscored that ICESCO, along with its partners, launched a new action program for the benefit of universities and research institutions on the intellectual immunity from extremism. The Organization is also preparing the first guide on the deconstruction of extremism discourse and the first encyclopedia in the field while calling for cooperation with ICESCO by joining these civilizational projects.

    ICESCO Proposes Initiative to Cooperate with the Gulf Countries in Transferring their Educational Expertise to Countries in Need

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), confirmed the existence of a great opportunity to achieve a qualitative leap in educational performance. He added that educational systems can also adapt to future expectations amid the Covid-19 crisis that disrupted the educational process.

    The DG called for developing smart, innovative, and flexible scenarios and alternatives to deal with crises and meet the 2021 educational expectations.

    Dr. AlMalik made the statement on November 15, as part of his address at the 26th General Conference of Ministers of Education in ABEGS’ Member States. Representatives of international educational organizations participated in the videoconference to discuss the future of educational systems in the coming years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Dr. AlMalik called on ABEGS and specialized international organizations to cooperate with ICESCO in evaluating technical educational platforms and distance education programs during the pandemic. The goal is to distinguish between the platforms, solve the difficulties, and benefit from successful experiences in the field.

    The DG praised the world-level responses of ABEGS’ Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also submitted an initiative to the Arab Gulf States to adopt the transfer of their experiences and successful applications to several ICESCO’s Member States with weak educational systems. The state of the systems was due to the countries’ fragile infrastructure and the limited economic resources, he continued.

    Dr. AlMalik added that the countries were headed to a dangerous turn in their educational systems, unable to overcome the unfortunate situation, and in dire need of help to limit the effects of the pandemic.

    If the Gulf States were to accept the initiative, ICESCO would be ready to cooperate in the implementation, starting with detailed reports on the affected countries and their urgent needs in educational and technical assistance. Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by renewing his thanks and appreciation to the Conference Ministers, and to ABEGS, represented by Dr. Ali Al-Qarni, for the efforts made to cope with the educational developments.

    ICESCO Supports Morocco’s Action in Guerguerat

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), having followed the developments of the situation in the Moroccan-Mauritanian borders and having demonstrated an understanding of the situation in the area, lauds the move taken by the Moroccan authorities to establish security and facilitate communication in the region. The Organization, taking into account its civilizational responsibility, supports all the measures taken to sustain the momentum for dialogue.


    While asserting its position, ICESCO hopes that the understanding between conflicting parties would be conducive to lasting stability and the success of concrete policies would continue to make Guerguerat situation a role model in bridging all the elements of peace in the region.

    Dr. AlMalik Values Cooperation between China and ICESCO

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (ICESCO) Director-General (DG), received on Friday, November 13, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mr. Mao Jun, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of China to Morocco, as well as his accompanying delegation. The two parties discussed the basis for a future partnership between ICESCO and China in the fields of education, science, and culture.

    The DG expressed his thanks for the Chinese Embassy’s donation of 10 new computers and 10 printers. Dr. Chen Dongyun, Cultural Advisor at the Embassy, also attended the meeting.

    The two parties discussed aspects of future cooperation, including ICESCO’s participation in the Chinese initiative to relaunch the Silk Road, scholarship opportunities in distinguished Chinese universities for young people from ICESCO’s Member States, and the creation of an ICESCO Chair in one of China’s pioneering universities.

    The officials also discussed the training sessions opportunities, as well as China’s assistance, in cooperation with ICESCO, to the countries most in need to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Chinese Chargé d’affaires praised ICESCO’s dynamic performance, which the whole world witnessed during the pandemic. He also stressed his country’s readiness to ensure more cooperation with the Organization.

    ICESCO DG Extends Condolences on Passing of Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa

    The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, expressed his condolences following the passing of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, may Allah rest his soul, at the Embassy of Bahrain in Rabat.

    Mr. Bassam Dalhan al-Dosari, Advisor at the Embassy, welcomed Dr. AlMalik. The DG expressed, on ICESCO’s behalf, heartfelt condolences to His Majesty Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, the honorable Royal family, the Bahraini people as well as to the Arab-Islamic Ummah on the sad occasion.

    In a message he wrote in the Embassy’s condolence book, ICESCO’s DG reaffirmed that the late Prince was a true statesman who dedicated his entire life to elevate the status of his nation and the support for all joint actions. Dr. AlMalik beseeched Allah to shower him with mercy and make paradise his eternal abode.

    ICESCO Announces Winners of Short Films Award

    The Jury of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Short Films Award held its last meeting on November 11, 2020, to select the winners. ICESCO launched the Award last March as part of its “Distance Culture” initiative, in cooperation with Layan Cultural Foundation, under the presidency of HH Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud.
    ICESCO will announce the winners on Thursday, November 19, 2020, as part of its celebration of the International Week of Islamic Art.

    The Jury is made up of Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Director of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO; Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO Director-General (DG), Jury Chairman; Dr. Najib Rhiati, Advisor to the General Directorate, Rapporteur of the Jury; Khaled Ibrahimi, Film Director; Mohammed Chouika, Film Critic and Writer; Abdelilah Hamdouchi, Novelist and Screenwriter; as well as Mr. Nassim Mohand Amer, Program Director at the Culture and Communication Sector.

    The Jury drew on ICESCO’s fields of interest in the assessment of the short films, such as environment and sustainable development, culture, heritage protection, and the rights of children, disabled people, and girls. The assessment also hinged upon technical criteria, namely the concept, filmmaking, scenario, and picture of the short film.

    During the meeting, the jury selected the top six short films out of the 180 films received from the Asian, Arab, and African regions. Every two films will receive one award based on their quality.
    ICESCO launched a set of contests during the lockdown period, which included various creative fields such as the short story, drawing, music, and short films. These contests saw great participation from all over the world.