Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, and his accompanying delegation, during their visit to ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, on Monday, November 21, 2022.

At the beginning of the bilateral meeting, ICESCO Director-General reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to provide all forms of support to Yemen in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. He added that ICESCO coordinates with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and cooperates with several donors and regional and international organizations and bodies to implement joint programs and projects in Yemen. The Director-General stated that the goal of such initiatives is to address the country’s needs and priorities, especially with regard to issues such as combatting school dropout among girls, safeguarding heritage, building youth’s capacities and supporting them to keep up with modern technology.

Afterward, the two officials held an expanded meeting, which was attended by Amb. Azzedine Asbahi, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Morocco, the Minister’s accompanying delegation and several ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments. Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO’s support for Yemen is part of its vision and strategic orientations, which prioritize the youth, women and children to promote their roles in achieving sustainable development in their countries. The Director-General stressed that this interest stems from the Organization’s awareness of the key roles of these groups in ensuring societies’ prosperity and progress. He added that ICESCO also accords special attention to promoting civilizational heritage through training programs for the benefit of heritage professionals, aimed at preserving heritage sites and contributing to cultural and economic development.

ICESCO’s leadership also highlighted the Organization’s major programs and initiatives, launched in cooperation with the Yemeni parties, seizing the opportunity to propose a number of ongoing programs and projects that can be implemented in Yemen
For his part, the Yemeni Minister commended ICESCO’s role to support its Member States, reaffirming Yemen’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization and benefit from its extensive expertise in its areas of competence. Dr. Mubarak also invited ICESCO to dispatch a group of experts to Yemen to take stock of the major needs in order to design suitable programs and projects.

Following the meeting, the Director-General and the Yemeni Minister toured the various pavilions of the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. This major civilizational project is the fruit of a strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, and is the first of its kind outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Exhibition and Museum seek to highlight the Prophet’s Seerah and the Islamic civilization and cast light on the lofty message of Islam and the noble virtues of the Prophet, peace be upon him. The Exhibition employs advanced technology to give visitors a real-life experience of the Seerah and historical events.

Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan awards ‘Shusha Medal’ to ICESCO Director-General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture, Chairman of Azerbaijan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, held a meeting to explore the developments of the great partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, and follow up on the implementation of joint programmes and projects in various fields and the future cooperation programmes and projects.

Afterwards, they held another meeting, on Sunday (20 November 2022), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, which saw the presence of the delegation accompanying the Minister of Culture, and Mr. Nazim Samadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Morocco, as well as Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and several heads of sector and directors of department and centers of ICESCO.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Karimov reaffirmed their keenness to strengthen the great partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, which has reached new horizons since the visit of the ICESCO Director-General and his delegation to Azerbaijan, in January 2021, and their reception by His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic Azerbaijan, in the presidential palace in Baku.

ICESCO Director-General expressed his pride in the outstanding projects and programmes launched in partnership between ICESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan, commending Azerbaijan’s support for ICESCO’s initiatives and programmes, particularly in the fields of youth capacity-building in innovation and modern technologies, safeguarding heritage and promoting peace and intercultural dialogue.

The heads of sector and directors of department of ICESCO reviewed the salient programmes and initiatives that the Organization launched and implemented, in partnership with Azerbaijan, within the framework of its new vision and strategic orientations.

For his part, Dr. Karimov stressed the Republic of Azerbaijan’s willingness to support ICESCO, commending its roles and efforts geared towards upholding the values of unity and solidarity in the Islamic world, building peace, promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence and intercultural dialogue, and rejecting violence.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan submitted a request to ICESCO to proclaim Shusha as the Culture Capital of the Islamic World for 2024 given its rich heritage and historical value, and a celebration of its reconstruction. He also explained that the competent authorities nearly completed the procedural matters related to the opening of ICESCO’s regional office in Baku, which will be inaugurated at the beginning of next year.

At the close of the meeting, the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan awarded the ‘Shusha Medal’ to ICESCO Director-General, stressing that this medal, which is awarded on the anniversary of the liberation of Shusha, is an appreciation for the efforts of Dr. AlMalik and ICESCO in supporting the Republic of Azerbaijan to preserve its cultural and civilizational heritage.

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik took Dr. Karimov and his delegation on a tour to the Exhibition of the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, which is being held in partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and Mohammadia League of Scholars, at ICESCO Headquarters, aimed at introducing the Prophet’s biography, the Islamic civilization, the noble morals of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the purposes of the lofty message of Islam.

The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the official opening of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in a major celebration held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, may Allah protect him.

HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was received by a host of Moroccan ministers and officials, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, Deputy Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Secretary of the International Academy of Islamic Fiqh, Sheikh Dr. Nasser bin Misfer Al-Qurashi Al- Zahrani, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the International Exhibitions and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, and a host of ICESCO officials.

HRH Crown Prince started his tour of the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO headquarters by cutting the symbolic ribbon, marking the launch of this cultural landmark in Rabat, culture capital in the Islamic world for 2022, which is aimed at promoting the Prophet’s biography and lofty virtues, the Islamic civilization, and the noble purposes of the message of Islam, namely mercy, justice, peace, tolerance, moderation, and coexistence.

Following Dr. AlMalik’s welcoming remarks, the Crown Prince visited the three main sections of the Exhibition and Museum, starting from the pavilion of the “Exhibition on the attachment of Moroccans to the Noble Prophet, a symbol of love and loyalty,” which is supervised by the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, where the League’s Secretary-General presented the displayed treasures that include historical manuscripts, rare paintings and coins, models of Moroccan architecture, decorations and inscriptions, and traditional tools.

MWL Deputy Secretary-General welcomed HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan before his tour in the second pavilion, which is the “Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization,” supervised by MWL, while the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the International Exhibitions and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization reviewed the pavilion’s sections. These include “The Prophet PBUH as if you can see him” on the Muhammadiyah garden, the Prophet’s food, drink, clothing, and furniture, and the “The Prophet PBUH as if you are with him” on the Prophet’s lofty virtues and values ​​of dialogue, coexistence, forgiveness, mercy and tolerance, as well as a special section on the merits and status of Ahl al-Bayt.

HRH Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Morocco was then briefed on the “Greatest Minbar” section, which is a simulation of the Minbar of Muhammad PBUH.

Prince Moulay El Hassan also visited the third pavilion on the “Panorama of the Noble Prophet’s Chamber in the First Age,” which displays, for the first time in history, using 3D imaging and virtual reality, the daily life of the Prophet PBUH in his honorable chamber and presents an accurate depiction of the chamber’s contents and an overview of its history through creative films using modern 3D video techniques and effects.

It is worth noting that the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat is the fruit of a strategic partnership between ICESCO, MWL and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, and is the first of its kind outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted an international celebration of the International Day for Tolerance, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence (OMEV), and the Danube Institute in Hungary on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The event brought together a host of representatives of international organizations and institutions, and researchers in the fields of peace-building, promotion of tolerance, and the fight against extremism and violence from the Islamic world and beyond.

The celebration began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a general presentation by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, in which he noted that tolerance is a major human value and one of ICESCO’s main areas of activity.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), began his address by emphasizing that tolerance, which is enshrined in all laws and religions, is an inherent value to humans that is deeply rooted in their souls, and that radiates across all human activities.

He stressed that ICESCO places youth and children at the core of its activities to nurture tolerance in them, foster fraternity, cultivate harmony, and eliminate racism, intolerance and hatred, calling for the integration of the concept of tolerance and its importance in school curricula all over the world.

Dr. AlMalik added that tolerance is the “unparalleled gem” in all of ICESCO’s activities and orientations, explaining that the Organization has launched several programmes to promote tolerance, namely the International Day of Mercy Initiative as an international occasion that radiates forbearance and peace, in addition to launching the Encyclopedia on Deconstructing Extremist Discourse.

For his part, Mr. Eric Falt, Director of UNESCO’s Maghreb Office, praised ICESCO’s efforts to promote tolerance and highlighted that this value is key to human survival and coexistence among societies.

For his part, Mr. Jeffrey Kaplan, Researcher at the Danube Institute, reviewed the Institute’s main projects and programmes geared towards combating extremism and spreading the values of tolerance and peace, underlining the need for greater efforts to break the chain of violence, discrimination and intolerance.

In his address, Dr. El Mostafa Rezrazi, OMEV Executive Director, noted that spreading tolerance and anchoring peace is a forward-looking project whose outcomes will appear in the future, and reviewed the Observatory’s major projects aimed at promoting tolerance by educating the public and raising their awareness and combating violence.

For his part, Mr. Thierry Malbert, Expert at the Civilizational Dialogue Center, explained that ICESCO is keen to make tolerance a cornerstone for building peace and achieving rapprochement between cultures, civilizations and peoples as a contribution to overall development and prosperity.

In his address, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammedia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, underscored the need to uphold tolerance as a lofty, unparalleled value, and called for joint action to instill and display its principles, commending ICESCO’s efforts to commemorate this occasion.

In a joint address on migration and extremism and their link to North Africa and Europe, Ms. Sáron Sugár and Ms. Virág Lőrincz, Researchers at the Danube Institute, explained the importance of the geographical location of Morocco and North African countries in promoting tolerance.

Today, 17 November 2022, the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat will host the inauguration of the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, may God assist him, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, may God protect him.

The inauguration of this outstanding Exhibition at ICESCO’s headquarters marks the first traveling version of the Museums of the Prophet’s Biography which are based in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, and enjoy special attention from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God assist him, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Exhibition is the fruit of a strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League (MWL) and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco. It aims to highlight the message of Islam as the embodiment of justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence and moderation, based on the Holy Quran, the Noble Sunna and the glorious Islamic history. Using state-of-the-art technology, this Exhibition will allow visitors to experience the real-life Prophet’s biography as well as monuments and historical events.
Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan will be received by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, Deputy Secretary General of the MWL, Secretary of the International Academy of Islamic Fiqh, representing Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the MWL, in addition to Sheikh Dr. Nasser bin Misfer Al-Qurashi Al- Zahrani, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the International Exhibitions and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization.

The Exhibition and Museum are made up of three main sections: the first, entitled “International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization,” is supervised by the Muslim World League; while the second is called “Panorama of the Noble Prophet’s Chamber in the First Age,” and will be presented for the first time in history using 3D imaging and virtual reality. This section is based on verified scientific sources and authentic encyclopedias and is a scientific, practical, spiritual and religious invitation to explore the life and journey of the Prophet in depth. The third section is entitled: “Exhibition on the attachment of Moroccans to the Noble Prophet, a symbol of love and loyalty,” and is supervised by the Mohammadia League of Scholars.

Display of the Exhibition and Museum uses modern technology and interactive screens, including holographic imagery, 3D display screens and the educational panorama, and its content will be presented in several languages.

After its official opening, the Exhibition and Museum will be open to the public.

The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted a major cultural and artistic event in commemoration of World Children’s Day 2022. Organized by ICESCO in partnership with the office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Morocco and the HIBA Foundation, the event brought together a high-caliber host of ministers, ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, representatives of international organizations and bodies, as well as child and young artists.

In his opening remarks at the event, which was held on Monday, November 14, 2022, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), noted that the Organization places children at the heart of its interests and invests in their creative abilities to nurture their imagination to build prosperous societies, stressing the need to listen to the voices and opinions of children and youth to understand their aspirations for they possess the potential to bring about positive change.

“This celebration is an opportunity to highlight the fundamental rights of children to engage in building and developing societies and emphasize the need to make them part of comprehensive development plans to ensure that the voices of children and youth are heard in the post-pandemic recovery,” explained ICESCO DG.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO seeks through this event to convey a positive message of equality and engagement for all children through art as a key instrument for anticipating their future.

For her part, Dr. Aawatif Hayar, Moroccan Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, delivered an address in which she reviewed Morocco’s efforts to protect children and boost their creativity through a set of policies and initiatives, and the commendable progress achieved in protecting children rights, improving living conditions, equalizing opportunities and instilling social justice in various areas.

In an address delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mustapha Messaoudi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Youth Department), Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid highlighted that building the present and looking forward to the desired future rests upon developing children and youth capacity, noting that it is incumbent upon all parties concerned to provide them with the appropriate environment to innovate and prosper, enhance their capabilities, and harness their creative potential in different areas.

Mr. Marwane Fachane, Executive Director of the HIBA Foundation in the Kingdom of Morocco, reviewed the Foundation’s vision and its collaborative programmes geared toward developing and refining youth creative skills by experts and professionals in graphic and plastic arts.

Dr. Speciose Hakizimana, UNICEF representative in the Kingdom of Morocco, affirmed the Organization’s commitment to providing care for children and building their capacities, emphasizing that this event is part of a range of activities that are aimed at celebrating and engaging children.

The celebration featured multiple theatrical and musical performances, notably that of young artist Hamza Labied which impressed the audience.