Category: News update

The President of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, at the Presidential Palace in Niamey, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). The reception was attended by Dr. Daouda Mamadou Marthé, Minister of Basic Education, Literacy, the Promotion of Local Languages and Civic Education, President of the Nigerien National Commission; Mr. Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, Director of the Cabinet of the President; and Mr. Ahmat Jidoud, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance in Charge of Budget.

During this audience, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the President for the warm welcome he received during his current official visit to Niger. He also reviewed ISESCO’s new vision and discussed areas of cooperation between ISESCO and the Republic of Niger in the Organization’s areas of competence, as well as the programmes and activities scheduled for implementation over the next period.

            For his part, H.E. the President of the Republic of Niger reaffirmed the importance of cultural diplomacy and the need to work on exporting the enlightening Islamic culture, given culture’s effective role in facing extremist thought. He added that some young people fall prey to terrorism, which has unfortunately become a phenomenon in some societies as a result of the absence of culture and good education.

            In addition, the President maintained that African countries suffer from a myriad of problems, stating that unless these countries manage to develop their educational systems, they will not be able to keep up with the advances taking place in the world at the social level and with regard to technological advancement.

Likewise, the President highlighted the importance of international organizations and commended the work of ISESCO and its role in globally publicizing Islamic culture, promising that cooperation between the Organization and Niger will be very fruitful. He also stated that he will genuinely support the Organization and instructed the Minister of Finance to pay the full contribution of Niger to ISESCO.

            At the close of the audience, the President of the Republic thanked ISESCO Director General for the Organization’s initiative to launch a medical, educational and social caravan in one of the Nigerien villages in end of March 2020. He also welcomed holding the Organization of the Gathering of the First Ladies of ISESCO African Member States in Niger in March 2020, in cooperation between the Government of Niger and the Organization.

The Meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences, and Mr. Zakaria Mohamed Rabany, Programme Specialist at the Directorate of Human and Social Sciences.

The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Nigerien Minister of Primary Education, Literacy, Promotion of National Languages and Civic Education, President of the Nigerien National Commission, Dr. Daouda Mamadou Marthé, explored cooperation prospects between ISESCO and the Republic of Niger in the educational field.

During a meeting held at the Ministry of Education in Niamey as part of his visit to the Republic of Niger, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main areas of the Organization’s new vision and future action strategy, while reaffirming ISESCO’s willingness to invigorate and promote cooperation with Member States, in such a way as to attain the expectations of Muslim world’s peoples relevant to the Organization’s action areas.

For his part, the Minister expressed the commitment of the Nigerien Government to sustain cooperation with ISESCO, pointing out that the joint programmes implemented by ISESCO in the country are ongoing. In this regard, Dr. Marthé reaffirmed that he is closely following up the implementation of two joint programmes between ISESCO and Niger in the fields of literacy and non-formal education, scheduled for this year.

Dr. Marthé also stated that he took stock of ISESCO’s new vision and its outstanding programmes, namely the “Waqf” project, the International Consultative Council and the new Programme of ISESCO Goodwill Ambassadors. He also praised the fresh start of the Organization over the past six months, manifested in the positive change in implementation mechanisms that will yield tangible benefits to Member States and achieve the expectations and ambitions of their peoples.

By the same token, the Minister said that the Nigerien Government highly appreciates ISESCO’s programmes in his country, lauding the programmes implemented in cooperation with the Ministries of Social Development and Women. Likewise, he underscored that his Ministry is looking forward to promoting cooperation with the Organization, citing the Ministry’s intention to put forward new proposed cooperation programmes with ISESCO.

He also commended the new orientation of the Organization to directly contact Member States and define their actual needed programmes, in lieu of implementing programmes already chosen by ISESCO, irrespective of the true needs of Member States.

The Meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences, and Mr. Zakaria Mohamed Rabany, Programme Specialist at the Directorate of Human and Social Sciences.

The First Lady of the Republic of Niger, Ms. Lalla Malika Issoufou, at the Presidential Palace in Niamey, Niger, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), who is currently visiting the country as part of a tour that includes Senegal, which he visited first, and Guinea.

During the meeting attended by Ms. Amadou Aîssata, Minister for Population; and Ms. Elback Adam Zeinabou, Minister of the Promotion of Women and Child Protection, the two parties examined a number of themes relevant to the promotion of cooperation between ISESCO and Niger. The parties considered the organization of the First Gathering of the First Ladies of ISESCO’s African Member States, namely the Sahel countries, end of March 2020 which will be dedicated to the issues of community development in Africa. The aim is to find solutions to violence against girls and their deprivation of education, empower women, fight illiteracy, and incorporate peace principles in curricula. All these issues will be set out in Niamey Declaration, to be released at the close of the Gathering.

The two parties also agreed that ISESCO launch, in cooperation with Nigerien authorities, a medical, social and educational caravan in a town in the Nigerien countryside, in conjunction with the Gathering. The caravan will offer medical checks for children and women; provide medication to those in need of them; launch medical awareness campaigns and hand out necessary medical equipment to the schools in the town concerned.

The First Lady of Niger donated a portion of land of her property to ISESCO’s Waqf and promised to do her best to cooperate with ISESCO at the service of Member States.

The Meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences, and Mr. Zakaria Mohamed Rabany, Programme Specialist at the Directorate of Human and Social Sciences.

A doctor by profession, the First Lady of Niger sponsors many health institutions and associations, namely those operating in the fight against cancer and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). She is also a co-sponsor of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA).

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), explored with Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Culture and Communication of Senegal, the development of cooperation between ISESCO and the Republic of Senegal in the field of culture, particularly the conservation and inscription of heritage sites.

During this meeting, held in Dakar, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ISESCO’s new vision, future strategy, and role in protecting and conserving the historical and heritage sites as well as its inscription of 132 sites on the Islamic World Heritage List.

The two parties agreed to inscribe the largest number possible of heritage sites in Senegal on the Islamic World Heritage List. ISESCO will also provide its expertise for training the Senegalese officials in charge of heritage sites inscription.

Besides, ISESCO will participate in DAK’ART – Biennial, due to be held in Senegal next February.

On his part, Mr. Diop commended ISESCO’s new vision and its role in protecting heritage and supporting arts and handicrafts. The Minister instructed his staff to offer ISESCO headquarters a collection of artistic products, which symbolize the cultural creativity in Senegal.

The meeting was attended from ISESCO by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ms. Rahmata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences.

The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, met with Ms. Ndèye Saly Diop Dieng, Senegalese Minister of Women, Family and Gender, and together they explored cooperation prospects between ISESCO and the Ministry for the next phase, under ISESCO’s new vision.

During the meeting, held as part of the official visit of ISESCO Director General to Senegal, the two parties agreed that ISESCO support two social projects in Senegal. The first project features the creation of integrated centers to care for women and children victims of violence, assist them to overcome the impact of violence and reintegrate them into the society.

The second project focuses on supporting care centers for homeless and abandoned children and offering an environment conducive to their education, training and rehabilitation to live in decent conditions. In this regard, the two parties agreed to set up a joint committee to follow up to the implementation of these projects.

ISESCO’s support comes as part of its new vision which mainly seeks, inter alia, to empower the youth, women and children to enjoy their rights relevant to education, science, culture, technology and environment.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences.

The First Lady of Senegal, Mrs. Marème Faye Sall, at her residence, received the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, during his current visit to Dakar. The reception was attended by Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister of Education and Literacy, President of the Senegalese National Commission.

During this meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reviewed ISESCO’s new vision, which pays major attention to social and human dimensions and empowerment of various categories to live in decent conditions. The two parties also explored ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and “Servir le Sénégal” Foundation, which provides various services to citizens in need.

The two parties also agreed to organize a medical, educational and social caravan in 2020 in Senegal, equip a number of childcare centers with educational tools, and train social workers in these centers to provide integrated social, educational and psychological services that are sensitive to the needs of these categories.

The meeting was attended from ISESCO by Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Director of External relations and Cooperation, and Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human Sciences.

It is worth mentioning that the First Lady of Senegal created “Servir le Sénégal” Foundation in 2012, to provide humanitarian services for citizens in need. The Foundation is run by Mrs. Sall, along with Senegalese volunteers and others, who make major efforts to support patients in urgent need for dialysis and renal care, in addition to providing some basic life assistance to several remote villages.

The President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO Director General, who is in Senegal at the beginning of an official visit that also includes Niger and Guinea.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik congratulated the President of the Republic for the progress witnessed in Senegal in consistency with its regional role and significant position in the African continent. He also reviewed ISESCO’s new vision and priorities to meet Member States’ needs in the fields of education, science and culture and consolidate and support their efforts towards achieving sustainable development.

Moreover, ISESCO Director General evoked the Waqf Fund Project to secure sustainable resources for financing the Organization’s projects and programmes to ensure that Member States benefit to the fullest from them. Dr. AlMalik reiterated ISESCO’s support to Quranic schools in Senegal which receive a special attention from President Sall.

For his part, the President of the Republic lauded the efforts made by ISESCO Director General to develop the Organization and enhance its roles in supporting Member States, under its new vision.

He also expressed the willingness to support and bolster ties with ISESCO and facilitate its action in Senegal, in the joint cooperation areas of ISESCO and the Senegalese competent authorities. He also voiced Senegal’s intention to provide financial and technical support to the Waqf project, while commending the promising prospects of the Organization’s future action and projects.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Social and Human Sciences.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), explored with Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister of Education and Literacy of Senegal, President of the Senegalese National Commission, the areas of cooperation between the Organization and the Ministry in the field of education and training the educational staff.

During this meeting, held as part of the official visit of ISESCO Director General to Senegal, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the new vision of ISESCO, which makes of ISESCO a house of expertise for the Islamic world in its areas of action, empowers youth, women and children to exercise their educational, scientific, cultural, technological and environmental rights. In this context, ISESCO agreed to support the non-formal education in Senegal through providing expertise and technical advice, and training teachers and educational supervisors.

The two parties also agreed to form a joint commission of ISESCO and the Senegalese Ministry of Education and hold its meeting at ISESCO headquarters in Rabat so as to develop an executive cooperation plan and identify the follow-up and coordination mechanisms.

The meeting was attended from ISESCO by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ms. Rahmata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences.

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Senegal, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), made a special visit to Dr. Ahmed Mukhtar Ambu, former director-general of UNESCO, at his housein Dakar, in recognition of his great services to the Islamic world during and after his mandate at UNESCO.

During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the new vision and future action strategy of ISESCO, and asked Dr. Ambu to express his opinions and make proposals so as to support this vision. Dr. Ambu highly commended this vision given his experience at UNESCO, and made some proposals for ISESCO’s action in Africa.

The meeting was attended from ISESCO by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ms. Rahmata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Human and Social Sciences.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Ambu had served in many positions in the sector of education in Senegal before he was appointed as Minister of Education and Culture in 1957. He then headed many ministries until 1970.  He was elected at UNESCO Executive Council in 1966, and was appointed as assistant director-general in 1970, and as UNESCO director-general in 1974. He was reelected for a second mandate in 1980 and remained in office until 1987.