The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the Sixth Coordination Meeting of OIC Institutions, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Salem Al-Habsi, Program Director at the General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences; and Dr. Yusuf Muhammad, Expert at the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation, represented ICESCO at the meeting.
The meeting saw the participation of several officials and representatives of OIC specialized organs, subsidiary and affiliated institutions and standing commissions. The Secretariat of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission also took part in the event, which aims to promote dialogue and communication among the OIC institutions.
The meeting put forth a number of proposals for joint activities in 2023 and explored ways to expedite the implementation of the Organization’s programs and initiatives in the Member States.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has issued a book entitled “al-Hilia Annabawya,” which highlights the aspects of calligraphy and ornamentation in the Moroccan works on virtues (a-Shama’il). It includes fifty decorative paintings by a group of calligraphers, who have graduated from Medersa Sahrij in Fez and the Academy of Traditional Arts in Casablanca, Morocco.
The book’s foreword is by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, wherein he expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his patronage of the Celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World, the activities of which includes the publication of this book.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, authored this book by quoting and commenting on texts from various paintings.
This artistic book documents the exhibition of paintings on virtues by Moroccan authors, which was held at ICESCO Headquarters, under the supervision of the calligrapher Mohammed Amzil, in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
This edition has one hundred and twenty-five pages. It features an overview of the salient Moroccans’ books on virtues, which are one of the sources of calligraphy and ornamentation, most notably “Dakhirat al-Muhtaj fi Assalati ‘ala Sahibi a-Liwa’I wa Taj,” by its author Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mu’ta Ibn Salih Al-Sharqi, and the book “Dala’il al-Khayrat” by its Sheikh Sidi Muhammad bin Suleiman al-Jazouli, in addition to the poems al-Burdah and al-Hamziyya by Imam Sharaf Eddine al-Busairi. Calligraphers throughout the ages have magnificently written these books and poems to highlight the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy in its connection with the prophet’s virtues and the Prophet biography.
ICESCO is pleased to present this artistic publication to readers, the parties concerned with cultural heritage, artists and calligraphers, as a part of its civilizational mission to safeguard cultural heritage, unleash creativity and innovation, and revitalize ancient arts.
The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), launched Today, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, a Training Workshop on modern strategies in teaching Arabic, in the city of Quatre Bornes, Republic of Mauritius, in cooperation with the Arabic Speakers Union in Mauritius.
The three-day Workshop aims to develop the participants’ competencies and teaching abilities by benefiting from the developments in educational linguistics and introducing them to educational strategies and procedural steps in teaching various subjects to develop language skills.
The opening session was attended by Dr. Anwar Husnoo, Vice-Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Abdul Samad Sirli, President of the Islamic Cultural Center, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad, President of the Arabic Speakers Union, and Mr. Vishal Bihari, Advisor to the Minister of Education of the Republic of Mauritius. More than forty participants of education officials and teachers of the Arabic language from different regions of Mauritius benefit from the Workshop’s activities.
The Workshop consists of educational training interventions and presentations as part of defining the challenges and difficulties of teaching the Arabic language in the Republic of Mauritius, reviewing the key educational strategies in teaching language skills, and diversifying strategies for teaching language skills according to educational levels.
The workshop is supervised by Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Expert at ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.
The Science and Technology Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is holding a consultative meeting to discuss means for accelerating dairy business development, in partnership with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The meeting brings together representatives of various Sudanese ministries and the Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, as well as experts and specialists from international organizations and research centers.
Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Science and Technology Sector, represents the Sector at the three-day meeting which kicked off on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. During the meeting, he emphasized that cooperation between the two Organizations is paramount for devising a programme geared towards promoting dairy projects and reviewed ICESCO’s efforts towards encouraging entrepreneurship among youth in the Islamic world and contributing to achieving sustainable development.
The meeting is aimed at creating an appropriate environment for setting up dairy business incubators, establishing supportive frameworks to underpin training and financing programmes for entrepreneurs in Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia, and defining a framework for harnessing modern technologies to develop dairy entrepreneurship and smart agriculture.
The Center for Strategic Foresight and the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to explore prospects of cooperation between the two institutions.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters, discussed several initiatives and projects that the Organization implemented in partnership with the German Foundation and focused on future areas of cooperation between the two parties.
Following the meeting, the delegation of the Foundation visited the Museum and Exhibition of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently hosted by ICESCO. The delegation received detailed presentations on the various elements of the Exhibition’s pavilion and sections.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Amira Fadil, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation; Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Center of Strategic Foresight; and Ms. Doha Mghabbar, from the Center. The Foundation delegation consisted of Dr. Canan Atilgan, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division in the European and International Cooperation Department; and Mr. Steffen Kruger, Head of KAS Office in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Education Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is holding a Training Workshop for the benefit of workers in the field of statistical indicators for the 4th goal of sustainable development (SDG 4), in cooperation with the Jordanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The three-day Workshop, which started on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in the Jordanian capital, Amman, aims to develop the capabilities of workers in the field of statistical indicators for SDG 4, which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Mr. Aziz Al-Hajir, Programme Director at ICESCO Education Sector, represented the Organization in the Workshop. During his address, he reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to enhance expertise, develop skills, deepen knowledge, exchange the best professional and educational experiences and invest them in the field of statistical indicators for SDG 4, pointing out the importance of placing global commitments to education at the core of national efforts aimed at developing educational systems and setting appropriate reference indicators for each of objective of the fourth goal.
For her part, Mrs. Ibtisam Ayoub, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, commended ICESCO’s efforts and its constant support for the development of educational systems in its Member States.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed the need for unified visions and cooperation between regional and international organizations to ensure their success, highlighting the structural shifts in self-awareness, international developments and the organizations’ experiences, which have led to the successful management of international affairs with confidence.
This statement was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address delivered on Monday (December 12, 2022), at the two-day Forum on “Organizations from Local to Global,” organized by the Qatari Ministry of Culture, in Doha, under the theme: “Our strength in our unity,” as part of the activities of the National Day of the State of Qatar, in Darb Al Saai, with the participation of high-level ministers, officials and heads of several international organizations and institutions.
ICESCO Director-General added that Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup is conclusive evidence that success is the outcome of sound visions, good management and creativity, considering that this success is a civilizational achievement.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the transition from local to global in organizations’ fields of action requires overcoming internal performance obstacles that give rise to the question of reform and the transformations of the international pattern through the communications revolution, which has become a guide of human progress and providing more opportunities for young people to meet their aspirations. “We should liberate organizations from the dominance of politics, promote social and educational issues, and strengthen cooperation and synergy between organizations to ensure mutual understanding, dialogue and civilizational alliance, reduce violence, hatred and intolerance, and confront pandemics, climate change, migration and crimes,” added Dr. AlMalik.
Dr. Al-Malik also reviewed the strategic orientations of ICESCO in fulfilling its vision, which draws on the civilizational potentials of the Islamic world and responds to the aspirations of Muslim people for reform, explaining that the pattern of structural and conceptual renewal prevails at ICESCO and that the Organization’s efforts are strengthened through cooperation with various organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, ALECSO, the US Space Foundation and other international partners.
The Museum and Exhibition of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently held at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, is attracting large numbers of visitors, exceeding 20,000 visitors on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
Since the official inauguration of the Museum and Exhibition on November 17, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and with the presence of the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Moulay Al-Hassan, may Allah preserve him, the Museum and the Exhibition has been receiving growing numbers of visitors who are eager to tour the various pavilions and sections of the Museum, which collectively provide an overview of the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him, his companions and Al Al-Bayt through various and innovative mediums.
The Exhibition received wide appreciation given the detailed presentations and simulations of the Prophet’s life, which capitalize on the latest technologies. The exhibition also had a positive impact on all visitors from different age ranges and backgrounds and took them on a journey through history.
This is the first time the Museum and Exhibition are being held outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thanks to the strategic partnership among ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Mohammedia League of Scholars of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Museum and Exhibition aim to highlight the message of Islam which promotes justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence and moderation, based on the Holy Quran, the Noble Sunnah and the long-standing Islamic history. The Exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, every day, except Mondays, from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), gave His Eminence Sheikh Nauryzbai Haji Taganuly, Grand Mufti of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and his accompanying delegation, a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, which is currently held at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, where they were briefed on the exhibition’s pavilions and sections.
Following the visit, which took place on Monday, December 12, 2022, a meeting was held in the presence of a host of ICESCO’s sector heads and department directors to discuss means for enhancing cooperation between the Organization and Kazakhstan in areas of common interest.
During the meeting, Dr. Benarafa commended the partnership between ICESCO and Kazakhstan, emphasizing that the visit of the Organization’s Director-General to Kazakhstan in September 2022 has opened broader avenues for cooperation between the two parties. The ICESCO official added that the Organization is keen to cooperate with the countries of the Islamic world in promoting and safeguarding their abundant scientific, civilizational and cultural heritage.
For his part, the Grand Mufti expressed his delight at visiting ICESCO Headquarters and the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, praising the Organization’s contributions to the scientific and cultural fields and stressing the need to harness modern technology to enrich the spiritual life of the Islamic world’s youth.
For her part, Ms. Amira El Fadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, highlighted the importance of strengthening educational policies, noting that the Organization accords particular importance to building the capacities of youth and women in the Islamic World.
At the close of the meeting, Dr. Benarafa presented the Grand Mufti with a set of ICESCO publications.
The Education Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), launched on Monday, December 12, 2022, the National Symposium: “Basic Principles for Teacher Training in Religious Education: Competence – Performance – Quality” in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, which is being held in cooperation with the National Libyan Commission for Education, Culture and Science, for the benefit of staff working in religious education.
The Symposium, which will last for three days, aims to highlight the religious role in refining students’ and teachers’ minds scientifically, ethically and socially, the need to develop curricula for religious education to improve its quality, capacity building of educational staff to raise their competencies and performance, as well as the development of the role of religious education institutions to restore their scientific, cultural and societal role and their effective participation in reforming and advancing society.
During the opening of the Symposium, several Libyan officials commended ICESCO’s efforts to enhance the educational process and to support its Member States, including the State of Libya. Mr. Faraj AlSuwais, Secretary-General of the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stressed the importance of holding the Symposium, hoping that it will achieve its goals of developing the roles of religious education institutions to promoting a culture of peace and contribute to achieving sustainable development and advancing society.
The Symposium touched upon curricula for developing religious education, raising the quality and competence of its staff, mechanisms for investing information and communication technologies and employing them in teaching religious education, as well as the role of religious education institutions in developing a culture of peace in societies and the participants’ experiences and methods in teaching religious subjects.
