Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, H.E. Abdoulaye Idrissa Maïga, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting, which saw the presence of H.E. Salaheddine Mezouar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, explored prospects for joint development initiatives in light of the security, educational, and human development challenges facing countries in the African Sahel region.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s steadfast commitment to promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and intercultural dialogue as core pillars of the Organization’s strategic vision. He highlighted several flagship initiatives implemented by ICESCO in this regard, including the award-winning “360° Peace” initiative, the Encyclopedia for Deconstructing Extremist Discourse developed in partnership with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in Morocco, the publication of ‘‘Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa’’, and the Leadership Training Programme in Peace and Security (LTIPS), which has trained more than 180 young men and women from 68 countries, who were selected to serve as ICESCO’s Peace Ambassadors.

For his part, Mr. Maïga expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s efforts in fostering peace and security through education, science, and culture. He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with the Organization in initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Sahel region.

At the close of the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue coordination on developing a joint initiative focused on peacebuilding and sustainability, contributing to regional and international efforts to support stability and development in the region.

In attendance from ICESCO were Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Dr. Abdoulaye Al Maïga, expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

H.E. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Kingdom of Thailand, held a banquet in honor of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Friday , 10 October 2025.

The banquet was attended by His Eminence Sheikh Arun Boonchom, Sheikh of Islam of Thailand, a number of senior officials and ambassadors accredited to Bangkok, as well as university presidents and officials of cultural and educational institutions.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Suhaibani welcomed Dr. AlMalik, commending his fruitful meetings during his official visit, especially with a number of parliamentary, academic and religious leaders in Thailand, which resulted in important understandings in the fields of education, culture, science, environment, and the holding of the Civilizational Dimensions Forum between Thailand and the Islamic world. This also includes the acceptance of the Speaker of Thailand Parliament to join ICESCO Goodwill Ambassadors as well as the prospect of proclaiming one of Thailand’s cities as the Culture Capital in the Islamic world in the coming years.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to HE the Ambassador for the generous invitation, warm reception and hospitality, commending the efforts of the Kingdom’s Embassy in strengthening ICESCO’s presence in Thailand and bridging the views between the Islamic world and the Kingdom of Thailand.

The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere marked by mutual appreciation and a common desire to foster more fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the cultural, scientific and educational institutions in Thailand, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bangkok along with the embassies of the Islamic world countries.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited the campus of Krirk University in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday 8 October 2025, as part of his official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand. He was received by Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, President of the University, his Deputy, the Deans of the Colleges, and several faculty members.

During the meeting, the University’s administration presented a comprehensive overview of its history and academic achievements. Krirk University is the oldest private university established in Thailand, attracting students from various Asian countries and beyond. It also places significant emphasis on Islamic studies and is currently working on establishing a specialized faculty for Islamic and Arabic studies.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik commended the University’s efforts in promoting education and advancing Islamic and Arabic studies. He also stressed the importance of conducting specialized research on the civilizational dimensions linking Thailand and the Islamic world and proposed the organization of an international conference dedicated to these civilizational aspects.

ICESCO Director-General presented the University President with the official membership letter confirming Krirk University’s accession to the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), which operates under the Organization and includes more than 560 member universities. This was part of strengthening academic cooperation between the Organization and the University.

At the conclusion of the visit, the two parties exchanged gifts, and Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the University’s administration and faculty members for their warm reception and generous hospitality.

Attending the meeting from ICESCO’s side was Dr. Hani Al Balawi, Expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.
It is noteworthy that Dr. AlMalik will participate tomorrow as a keynote speaker in the Third International Conference of the International Islamic College of Bangkok, under the theme: “Contemporary Arabic: Knowledge, Horizons, and Challenges,” organized by the University.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand, on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, in Bangkok, during the Director-General’s official visit to Thailand, which is an Observer State in the Organization.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Matha welcomed Dr. AlMalik, emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO in various fields, particularly those related to promoting the values of coexistence, rejecting hatred, and respecting religions and cultures.

He praised the importance of ICESCO’s presence in Thailand’s cultural and intellectual scene through seminars, lectures, and meetings, as well as its cooperation with academic institutions and Thai universities. He further expressed his welcome to hosting ICESCO meetings in Bangkok in the future.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s main programs and initiatives, and highlighted Thailand’s position as a leading model in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect, thanks to its rich history and contemporary experience. He also affirmed ICESCO’s keenness to engage Thailand in many of its future projects and initiatives, particularly those related to civilizational dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik conveyed ICESCO’s intention to appoint Dr. Matha as one of the Organization’s Goodwill Ambassadors, in recognition of his distinguished career and outstanding efforts in promoting the values of coexistence and peace. Dr. Matha expressed his deep appreciation for this honor, voicing his pride in this recognition and his readiness to further support the close relations between ICESCO and Thailand, and to advancedevelop joint initiatives in this field.

The ICESCO delegation included Dr. Hani AlBalawi, expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited the headquarters of the Bangladeshi National Commission for UNESCO in Dhaka on Monday 6 October 2025.
During the visit, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening its distinguished partnership with Bangladesh, noting that ongoing fruitful cooperation has resulted in joint programs, workshops, and initiatives over the recent months, including the “Green and Clean School Campus” contest and a workshop on “Robotic Surgery.”

The ICESCO Director General presented the Organization’s approach of engaging with National Commissions in Member States to understand their priorities and design projects that respond to their needs while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ICESCO’s fields of competence.

At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. AlMalik invited members of the Bangladeshi National Commission to undertake a week-long working visit to ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. The visit would provide an opportunity to observe the operational mechanisms of ICESCO’s sectors and specialized centers, learn about recent updates to its administrative structure, and review its key programs and initiatives serving Member States.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Sharmeen Soneya Murshid, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser in the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Bangladesh in promoting gender equality, building women’s capacities, and protecting children’s rights.

During the meeting, held in Dhaka on Sunday, 5 October 2025, Dr. AlMalik announced the establishment of an ICESCO Chair for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality at Dhaka University. The aim of the chair is to conduct studies and research, develop initiatives to promote equal opportunities for both sexes in the Islamic world, and train women in leadership skills.
ICESCO Director General also reviewed the Organization’s key initiatives, programs and projects in the fields of mental health, enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of youth and women, and reintegrating girls who have dropped out of school into education.

For her part, Ms. Murshid emphasized the importance of cooperation between ICESCO and Bangladesh in promoting the rights of women and children, ensuring mental health and digital safety within society, developing pioneering programs to protect children and combat gender-based violence, and promoting women’s participation in achieving sustainable development.

Both parties agreed to strengthen their cooperation in areas such as building the capacity of women and young people, promoting social inclusion, and developing gender-sensitive educational systems.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Education Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the areas of educational development, innovation support and capacity building.

During the meeting, held on Sunday 5 October 2025 in Dhaka, Dr. Al-Malik praised Bangladesh’s significant progress in literacy, quality education provision and digital transformation support, stressing that ICESCO considers Dhaka a regional model for educational innovation and youth development in the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Abrar expressed his deep appreciation for ICESCO’s continued support, emphasizing that his country wishes to benefit from ICESCO’s expertise to modernize its education system and develop the future skills of its young people.
The meeting featured discussions on a series of programs and projects proposed for implementation by both parties, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence and digital literacy into school curricula, training teachers in emerging technologies, and strengthening partnerships between universities, research institutions and industry. A joint working group will be formed in the near future to explore ways of implementing these programs and initiatives.

Dr. Abrar hosted a dinner in honor of Dr. Malik, attended by several senior officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in Bangladesh.