Category: News update

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met Monday, August 24, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, with Mr. Zakalia Kote, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Morocco. The two officials explored cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Burkina Faso in the fields of education, science, and culture.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated his thanks to President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré for his participation, on June 25, in ICESCO’s “Mental Health and Strengthening Resilience during Crises” webinar. He added that the active participation reaffirms the strong relation between the Organization and Burkina Faso.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the key features of ICESCO’s new vision and strategy, which rely on effective communication with Member States, and enable non-Member States to join the Organization as Observer States. He stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity to put into action the orientations of the vision. 

The DG underlined that ICESCO launched several practical initiatives, programs, and activities to support Member States’ efforts in mitigating the impact of the pandemic. He added that the Organization provided technical and financial assistance to contribute to the fields of education, science, and culture.

Burkina Faso has been a partner in ICESCO’s “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative,” with projects and programs targeting the states most vulnerable to the pandemic, stated the DG referring to the priority status of African Member States.  

Ambassador Kote commended the remarkable work ICESCO has carried out during the pandemic, praising the Organization’s support for his country to ensure the continuity of schooling. The Ambassador also praised the aid ICESCO and its partners provided to vulnerable beneficiaries during the pandemic. 

The two parties agreed to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the country. This includes inscribing Burkina Faso’s heritage sites on the Islamic World Heritage List.

The First Counsellor of the Embassy of Burkina Faso, the Cultural Adviser and ICESCO’s sector directors attended the meeting.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, lauded the directives in His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s speech on the occasion of the 67^th Anniversary of the “Revolution of the King and the People.”

King Mohammed VI reaffirmed that the battle against the COVID-19 is ongoing and includes all stakeholders in the campaign to face the pandemic. As the number of confirmed cases, critical cases, and fatalities tripled following the loosening of lockdown restrictions, the speech called on citizens to comply with health and sanitary measures including wearing protective masks, observing social distancing, and using hygiene and disinfection tools.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the forthrightness with which the monarch addressed Moroccans regarding the critical epidemiological situation in the country. He also hailed King Mohammed VI’s warning that the COVID-19 scientific committee could recommend a return to strict lockdown restrictions should infection cases continue to rise. “This reflects His Majesty’s concern for the health and safety of his citizens,” ICESCO’s DG added.

Dr. AlMalik praised the early mobilization of the Moroccan authorities and the precautionary measures since the beginning of the pandemic last March, namely the lockdown. The measure was a step to contain the virus and yielded results that received worldwide admiration.

King Mohammed VI stressed that this should encourage more precautionary measures to win the battle against the pandemic, especially amid the rise in the infection rates (from one case to 10 cases daily) among health workers.

Dr. AlMalik concluded that since the beginning of the pandemic, ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, has complied with the Moroccan authorities’ preventive measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Organization continues to apply the highest prevention standards to ensure the safety of its staff and visitors.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Koudjo Adanou, Togolese Chargé d’affaires to Morocco, explored on Wednesday, August 19, at Organization’s headquarters, cooperation prospects between ICESCO and Togo.

Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO’s strategy relies on effective communication with Member States to customize programs  to beneficiaries’ particular needs. The Organization also focuses on extensive inclusion of local authorities.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s main initiatives benefiting the most vulnerable countries to ensure the continuity of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned the humanitarian assistance to curb the outbreak to Togo and other African countries. The technical and financial aid comprised setting up sanitizer production units and training the local workforce in delivering the best value for money for the products.

In ICESCO’s pursuit to become a model for global civilizational outreach, the Organization set up  several specialized centers, stated Dr. AlMalik. The centers particularly focus on artificial intelligence, teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, Islamic world heritage preservation and inscription, and ongoing strategic foresight. One example of the latter is an experts’ study on the future of Africa.

The Chargé d’affaires also lauded ICESCO’s outstanding work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategy realignment. Mr. Adanou expressed his gratitude for ICESCO’s programs in Togo. He also communicated his country’s interest in new joint cooperation opportunities consistent with the domestic development plans in Togo, particularly for capacity-building of the human resources.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met Today, August 19, in Rabat with Mr. Sylver Aboubacar Minko Mi Nseme, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to Morocco, and together they explored cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Gabon.

The meeting brought together the Embassy’s officials and ICESCO’s directors of sectors. Dr. AlMalik then presented the Organization’s major achievements over the previous year. The milestones were part of the new international outreach strategy targeting ICESCO’s Member States and Muslim communities around the globe.

The DG underscored the priority status of African Member States development in ICESCO’s new vision. The Projects’ implementation and African countries’ representation within the Organization are two examples that the DG cited. The Executive Council also adopted last January a recent organizational structure that ensures diversity in the teams and programs.

He also added that the Organization follows an open-door policy that invites all countries around the world to actively participate as Observer States. The new status allows expertise exchange and knowledge transfer in education, science, and culture.

Dr. AlMalik cited ICESCO’s major initiatives, programs, and projects to support the most vulnerable countries in ensuring the continuity of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned the humanitarian assistance and protective materials against the outbreak to several African countries. The technical and financial aid comprised setting up sanitizer production units and training the local workforce in delivering the best value for money for the products.

The Gabonese Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the visit and congratulated the DG on ICESCO’s recent progress, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

He also stated that his country is keen on building a strong partnership with the Organization, starting with effective communication and frequent consultation on ICESCO’s programs in Gabon.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, discussed Tuesday, August 18, with Mr. Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghariri, Saudi Ambassador to Morocco, cooperation opportunities.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s major initiatives to counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Organization kickstarted “ICESCO Digital Home,” “Societies We Want,” “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition,” “Teaching of Arabic to non-Arabic Speakers,” and “Distance Culture” initiatives.

ICESCO also prepared awareness-raising videos on the prevention against the virus in the Organization’s official three languages of ICESCO (Arabic, English and French) along with several local African languages.

The Organization, in cooperation with donors, provided financial and logistical aid to 24 countries to contribute to the continuity of schooling and digitize educational content, explained Dr. AlMalik.

ICESCO also provided food assistance, health equipment, and protective materials to 10 countries. The financial and technical assistance ensured training for the use of sanitizers production units benefitting citizens in these countries.

The DG pointed out that ICESCO’s newly adopted strategy invited non-Member States to join the Organization as observers for active cooperation and partnerships. The end goal is to reach and benefit Muslim communities around the globe.

Ambassador Ghariri lauded ICESCO’s outstanding assistance to Member States during the pandemic, which positively reflected the leadership style in the organization.

The Saudi ambassador commented on the high-caliber participation while attending ICESCO’s videoconferences. The events involved not only participants from Member States but also world experts and specialists. He also commended the constructive debates and outcomes, while supporting ICESCO’s open-door policy in attaining the vision’s objectives.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) explored with Mr. Julio Glinternick Bitelli, Brazilian Ambassador to Morocco, to explore cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Brazil.

The meeting brought forward the open-door policy in ICESCO’s strategy that sustains productive partnerships to effectively assist the Organization’s Member States and Muslim communities in non-Member States. ICESCO adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States, which ensures the active participation of non-Member States, excluding the right to vote, elaborated Dr. AlMalik. He seized the opportunity to invite Brazil to join ICESCO as an observer.

The DG also commented on the achievements of the last session of the Executive Council, which included the creation of the International Consultative Council. The Council’s members were 16 prominent international personalities, originating, at equal proportions, from Member States and non-Member States. The diversity in the members’ backgrounds will ensure more inclusion and a wider perspective, according to Dr. AlMalik.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial role among the initiatives, activities, and programs rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic. He reaffirmed that the initiatives support Member States’ efforts to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, noting that ICESCO adopted “Let’s achieve the impossible” as a battle cry throughout the ongoing crisis.

The list of the initiatives includes “ICESCO Digital Home,” and the “Societies We Want.” “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative” also assists to the most vulnerable groups in many countries, particularly in Africa. Many countries, international organizations and donors joined the coalition, added Dr. AlMalik. He then invited Brazil’s institutions and major corporations to join the coalition.

The Brazilian Ambassador commended ICESCO’s new working mechanisms, which placed the Organization at the forefront of development work during the pandemic.

Ambassador Bitelli also reaffirmed his country’s willingness to cooperate with ICESCO, noting that the Brazilian and Islamic civilizations share multiple similarities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Tuesday, August 18, with Mr. Ibrahim Al Khalil Seck, Ambassador of Senegal to Morocco to elaborate on cooperation opportunities between the Organization and the country.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the recent ICESCO-Senegal projects are tangible examples of the organization’s and the country’s joint efforts to support Senegalese citizens, women, youth, and entrepreneurs. The participation of Senegalese officials in the Organization’s conferences and meetings and Senegal’s membership to the “Global Humanitarian Coalition” initiative further advances the commitment to sustained development, highlighted the DG.

He stated that ICESCO’s result-oriented strategy is based on effective communication with Member States. The purpose is to identify beneficiaries’ priorities and develop practical country-specific programs with measurable deliverables.

Dr. AlMalik also relayed the importance of the “9^th World Water Forum (Dakar, 2021),” which ICESCO will hold in cooperation with the Senegalese Ministry of Water and the Secretariat of the forum. He added that last July’s meeting on “Water Security for Peace and Development in the Islamic World” came amid the preparations for the “Dakar 2021” forum.

 The DG reviewed ICESCO’s major programs and initiatives to support Member States’ efforts in addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19 global pandemic. He noted that the African Member States were the primary beneficiaries.

The Senegalese Ambassador praised ICESCO’s distinguished performance during the pandemic, underscoring his country’s willingness to pursue and develop constructive cooperation with the Organization. Prior to the DG’s Tuesday visit to the Senegalese Embassy in Rabat, President Macky Sall welcomed him last January at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met on Monday, August 17, Mr. Jamal Al-Shobaki, Palestinian Ambassador to Morocco. The two officials explored future opportunities between the Organization and the country.

Dr. AlMalik talked about ICESCO’s new strategy that envisions a global outreach for programs in the fields of education, science, technology, and culture. He also highlighted ICESCO’s results-oriented initiatives, activities, and programs in support of Member States efforts to mitigate the impact COVID-19 pandemic.

ICESCO and Palestine enjoy special cooperation, the DG reaffirmed. He added that the Organization works closely with the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture to tailor programs specific to the Palestinian needs.

He underlined that the Organization and donors supported the continuity of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palestine received IT equipment to support digital innovation and distance learning. He added that ICESCO also provided assistance and school grants to Palestinian students. 

As for culture, the DG stressed that ICESCO actively supports the preservation of Palestine’s civilizational heritage. The organization contributed to the restoration of several heritage sites in Al-Quds and its vicinity, noting that ICESCO’s Al-Quds Unit oversees the projects.

Ambassador Al-Shobaki expressed his thanks to ICESCO and its DG for their support to Palestine and their prompt response to Palestinian needs. He also commended the ICESCO’s remarkable presence during the pandemic, which positioned the organization at the forefront of the international development scene.

The Palestinian ambassador stated that cultural and civilizational heritage is a source of strength. He added that preserving heritage protects the national Palestinian identity, expressing his appreciation of ICESCO’s efforts in this regard.

The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Thursday, August 13, received Mr. Mohamed Maouloud Ould Mohamed Salem, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Mauritania in Morocco. The two officials examined cooperation opportunities between the Organization and the country in the fields of education, science, and culture.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed cooperation aspects between the Organization and Mauritania. The DG listed the inscription of tangible and intangible heritage on the Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL). He also pointed out that ICESCO’s list particularly focused on the four ancient cities in Mauritania.

ICESCO’s DG recalled his visit last year to Mauritania where he met Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani along with other senior officials, at the Presidential Palace in Nouakchott. He then cited the major programs and activities benefitting Mauritania, particularly the promotion of mahdhra (traditional Quranic school). The latter is an exclusive Mauritanian heritage and a substantial addition to the IWHL.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the initiatives, programs, and activities carried out by the Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the “Societies We Want” which granted humanitarian relief and support for women, youth, and entrepreneurs in a Mauritania and other countries.

The Mauritanian Chargé d’affaires congratulated ICESCO on its progress and its new organizational structure. He then reiterated his country’s interest in cooperating with the Organization and supporting its initiatives and new vision.

He also communicated Mauritanian officials’ positive feedback on Dr. Al Malik’s visit to their country. Mr. Maouloud stressed the importance of ICESCO’s support to the mahdhras and the establishment of a training center for preachers and Imams to counter zealotry and extremism and instead promote tolerance and coexistence.

Ms. Hayt Mint Mamouni El-Moktar Mbarek, Advisor at the Embassy also attended the meeting.