Category: News update

On October 17th of every year, the world celebrates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which aims to recognize the efforts and struggles of those living in poverty, join global efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty, which affects a large proportion of the world’s population, and ensure the participation of people living in poverty in the decisions that affect their lives and communities to build a better future.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) seizes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which is celebrated this year under the slogan “Dignity for All”, to call for the promotion of initiatives and programmes aimed at ensuring the socio-economic rehabilitation of vulnerable groups through the participation of the local community in the implementation of public policies and the strategies on poverty eradication in order to preserve the dignity and well-being of all as human dignity is not only a basic right, it is also the basis for all other fundamental rights.

Besides, ICESCO warns of the seriousness of the recent statistics on poverty worldwide. According to the United Nations, about 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, a number which includes a large proportion of children, youth and women of all ages. The statistics of the United Nations Development Programme indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the proportion of poor people in the world, in addition to climate change, breach of peace and stability, migration, violence and discrimination against women, all of which contribute to exacerbating socio-economic vulnerability.

In this context, ICESCO supports the efforts of its Member States to combat and eradicate poverty through its strategy and programmes, which aim at strengthening the educational systems, ensuring quality, inclusive and equitable education for all groups, qualifying youth and women through innovation and entrepreneurship, and building their capacities in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, manufacturing hygiene product, and the preservation and valorization of cultural heritage.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICESCO launched a large number of pioneering and innovative programmes and initiatives, which turned socio-economic rehabilitation into a powerful lever to eradicate poverty and achieve equality in a number of its neediest Member States.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 10th ceremony of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Translation Award, which was held in the Grand Celebration Hall at Cairo University in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in the presence of ministers, high-level officials, intellectuals, thinkers, professors and the general public.

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Translation Award seeks to enhance knowledge exchange to achieve mutual benefit from human achievements, and deepen cultural communication between peoples. Since its establishment in 2006, it has been encouraging creative people in the fields of knowledge, arts, culture, and Arabic and human literature, praising the efforts exerted by translators and major scientific and academic institutions concerned with translation in the world, and stimulating them to produce excellent translation works in the fields of humanities and applied sciences to and from the Arabic language.

ICESCO was represented at the ceremony, which took place on Thursday (October 13, 2022), by Mr. Najib Riati, Cultural Advisor to the Director General, Supervisor of the Program of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and General Lansana Conte University, Republic of Guinea, signed an agreement to establish a chair for research and pedagogical innovation to develop Arab education at the university in Conakry.

The agreement was signed on Thursday, October 13, 2022, in Mishkat Hall for the Arabic language at ICESCO Headquarters, by Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy Director General, with the presence of several Heads and Experts in the Organization, and Professor Manga Keita, Rector of the University, on behalf of General Lansana Conte University via videoconference.

The Chair, which comes as part of the cooperation programme between ICESCO and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance to support the “Project of Teaching Arabic in Non-Arabic Speaking Countries,” aims to deepen scientific and educational research on issues of the Arabic language for non-Arabic speakers at General Lansana Conte University and in all educational and scientific research institutions in Guinea, as well as improving the curricula and means of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers in Guinea, taking into account local specificities and strengthening the status of the Arabic language among the foreign languages studied at the University and other Guinean universities.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa reconfirmed that the establishment of this chair comes as part of ICESCO’s new vision, which calls for optimal investment in the opportunities offered by university chairs specialized in the field of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, to enhance the roles of universities in deepening scientific, educational and applied linguistic research as well as strengthening partnership and cooperation with Guinea in the academic and educational field, consolidating the status of bilateral education in Guinea and enhancing the values of sustainability and quality in the Organization’s action for the benefit of the Member States.

For his part, Professor Manga Keita expressed his overwhelming happiness for the establishment of this chair, which is added to two other university chairs at the University of General Lansana Conte, in response to Guinea’s need to develop Arab education, noting that the Arabic language is taught at all stages in the Guinean education system. At the end of his speech, he expressed his gratitude to ICESCO for its efforts to support Arabic education in non-Arabic-speaking countries.

The Culture and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, which was held on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the Union’s headquarters in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and via videoconference.

At the outset of the meeting Dr. Mohamed Kahlaoui, President of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, reviewed the Union’s activities and achievements during the past year, as well as research, grants and prizes for students.

For his part, ICESCO representative, Dr. Nami Salihi, Expert in the Culture and Communication Sector, reviewed the Organization’s activities in field of research, training, supervising and safeguarding antiquities and cultural heritage, noting ICESCO efforts to contribute to the preservation and valorization of heritage in the countries of the Islamic world.

He pointed out that ICESCO is cooperating with several external experts in order to carry out studies and assessments related to archaeological sites in the Islamic world.

Participants and state representatives explored the organizational foundations for the upcoming conference of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists and the efforts made in the field of research and training.

The Eurasian National University of the Republic of Kazakhstan awarded an honorary doctorate to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in recognition of his efforts in the fields of education, science and culture, and his support for scientific research and academic chairs.

Dr. Yerlan Sydykov, President of Eurasian National University, handed over the honorary doctorate to Dr. Al-Malik in a ceremony, which saw a high-level academic presence, at the university headquarters, including a host of the University Council’s members, the deans of faculties, professors and students.

Dr. Sydykov explained that this honorary doctorate is the highest degree awarded by the university’s Supreme Scientific Council, commending the efforts made by Dr. Al-Malik since he assumed his position as the Director-General of ICESCO in the service of science and scientific research.

Dr. Al-Malik expressed his happiness at this honorary doctorate from a prestigious university that occupies a distinguished position among the top 500 universities in the Shanghai ranking.

In his statement, he pointed out that the role of the university today goes beyond its instruction dimension. “Its role consists in looking for the truth in all its human dimensions and its manifestations of knowledge. Thus, the university should be a space that accommodates the hopes and aspirations of society, and strives to find solutions to current and future challenges,” he stressed.

ICESCO DG praised the great legacy of Muslim scholars, which young people should emulate to take leadership positions and preserve their identities, noting that the Organization seeks to achieve the Islamic world’s aspirations to benefit from higher education institutions through the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), which draws on an ambitious plan and the renewal of vision and discourse.

He concluded his statement by reiterating his thanks to the University for this honorary doctorate, considering it an honor to all ICESCO staff.

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, to discuss the programmes, projects and activities that will be implemented between ICESCO and the Sultanate of Oman soon in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the headquarters of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the two parties reaffirmed their eagerness to implement several programmes in the current year and future programmes to consolidate joint cooperation between ICESCO and the Sultanate of Oman. ICESCO delegation and Dr. Yaseen Al-Mulla, representing Sultan Qaboos University, explored the latest developments in the procedures for establishing the ICESCO Chair at the University as well the signing of the agreement eventually.

The meeting came on the sidelines of the participation of ICESCO delegation in the activities of the third edition of the Oman Science Festival, which includes Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Programme Director at the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and Dr. Foued El Ayni and Dr. Adel Smeda, Experts in ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science; Ms. Amina Al Balushi, Secretary General of the Commission, Dr. Mahmoud Al Abri, Assistant Secretary General, and Mr. Ahmed Al Balushi, Director of the Science Sector of the Commission.

The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in a virtual scientific symposium on the history of the Arabic language in Malaysia, which was held by the King Salman International Complex for the Arabic Language in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday (October 11, 2022) via videoconference.

Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of the Center, who represented ICESCO in the symposium, showed the influence of Arabic on the Malay language and Malaysian society over centuries, starting from the date of Islam’s entry to the Malay Archipelago until today, and the fundamental changes it has brought about in the religious, social, political and cultural life of the Malay nation.

The symposium touched upon four main themes: the history of the arrival of the Arabic language to Malaysia, the influence of the Arabic language on Malaysian culture, Arabic in the Malaysian language policy, and Arabic in contemporary Malaysian reality.

The debate also reviewed the most important gains made by Arabic in Malaysia and highlighted the contribution of Malaysian governmental and private institutions and individuals in spreading and promoting Arabic in Malaysian culture.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the third edition of the Oman Science Festival themed: “Together We Live the Passion of Science,” which kicked off on October 10, 2022, in Muscat. The event, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of integrating students into the fields of technology, science and innovation, is organized by the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman and saw the presence of a host of education and science ministers, officials and experts from specialized international organizations and universities.

Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Programme Director at the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and Dr. Foued El Ayni and Dr. Adel Smeda, Experts in ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, represent the Organization at the six-day festival. Dr. Smeda will present a scientific paper on “Cybersecurity: Insights, Resources, and Best Practices,” while Dr. El Ayni will present a scientific paper on green transformation and climate action.

The ICESCO delegation reviews the Organization’s efforts contributing to the development of science and innovation, enhancement of young people’s role in modern technology and their engagement in environmental protection in order to achieve sustainable development in the Islamic world, as well as the key relevant programmes and projects that ICESCO is implementing in cooperation with the competent authorities in its Member States.

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Science and Culture to discuss the implementation mechanisms of the programs and projects included in the joint action plan between ICESCO and the Commission, and to review the projects launched in partnership with a set of Saudi bodies, ministries and government institutions.

During the meeting, which took place on Thursday 6 October 2022 at the headquarters of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the two parties reviewed the main outcomes of the meetings held in August 2022 at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat by Mr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Alblihed, Secretary General of the Saudi National Commission, and members of the Commission, with Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and several heads of sectors and departments of the Organization.

The meeting reviewed the projects launched with partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the International Professional Certification in Education Project in cooperation with King Saud University, and the “Ataa Digital” initiative in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

At the end of the meeting, the Commission members hailed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ICESCO and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to set a practical framework for partnership and cooperation between the two organizations and reaffirmed their support for bilateral action.

0ICESCO’s delegation included Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director General, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Sehili, Director of the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department.

The ICESCO Regional Educational Center in Chad is holding two training sessions on teaching Arabic for the benefit of 50 French-speaking students in the National School of Magistrates. The session will be held for three months, from October to December 2022.

This training session is part of the cooperation agreement between ICESCO’s Center and the National School of Magistrates in Chad and aims to introduce students to the basics of the Arabic language, including phonetics, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

It also aims at introducing them to legal terms in Arabic and the principles of teaching Arabic for special purposes.The session will cover 720 hours of training for each class, with a rate of six hours a day, from Monday to Saturday.

The students were divided into two groups, with 25 students per class.The session is taught by Mr. Soulaymane Ali Hamida, and Dr. Jabal Muhammad Jabal, two teachers specialized in teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers.

Dr. Ali Muhammad Qamar, Director of ICESCO’s Center in Chad is overseeing the implementation of the session.In another vein, the Center concluded the proceedings of the training session on teaching Arabic, which benefitted 75 staff members from the Ministry of Women, Family and Childhood Protection and the Ministry of Public Health and National Solidarity.

The session also benefitted 60 students from La Liberté High School and Lycée Diguel Est de Ndjaména.The closing ceremony was attended by Mr. Said Farah, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Education of Chad, who commended the outcomes of the training session and stressed the importance of bilingualism, which is upheld by the Chadian educational system.

The official also thanked ICESCO for its support to Chad, through its Center and to the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for funding the session. At the end of the ceremony, participation certificates were distributed.