Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and her country’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, where they discussed the latest developments in cooperation between the two sides, following ICESCO’s delegation’s successful visit to Kazakhstan recently.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Organization’s delegation, which he led during its visit to Kazakhstan to participate in the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. Moreover, the Congress witnessed the presentation of the Medal of Honor by His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Dr. AlMalik, in recognition of his pioneering role in consolidating the values of global peace.

Dr. AlMalik also briefed his guest on the highlights of his visit to Kazakhstan, where he met with Mr. Erlan Karin, State Counselor; Ms. Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information; Mr. Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources; and His Eminence Sheikh Nauryzbay Haji Taganuly, Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan. The visit further included the signing of two MoUs with the Turkic Academy and the Islamic Organization for Food Security, in addition to visits to several academic and research institutions and several heritage sites.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of Kazakhstan hosting the upcoming Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, as well as welcoming a group of distinguished Kazakhstani professionals to train at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat.

Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, attended the meeting.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) to strengthen partnership in the fields of agriculture, food security, sustainable development, and innovation in resource management.

The MoU, signed on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan, include the development of joint programs and projects to support ICESCO Member States through the exchange of expertise and the advancement of initiatives aimed at achieving food security, enhancing the capacities of national professionals in utilizing the latest technologies in agriculture and natural resource management, conducting joint studies on agricultural technology, and organizing conferences, initiatives, and joint projects that seek to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to serve Member States.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), emphasized that this MoU is an important step within ICESCO’s new vision, which focuses on building strategic partnerships that contribute to supporting sustainable development in the Islamic world, noting that food security is one of the current stage’s key priorities.

For his part, Ambassador Berik Aryn, IOFS DG, expressed his aspiration to work jointly with the Organization, thereby strengthening international efforts to address challenges related to food and natural resources.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to discuss prospects for joint cooperation in culture and heritage preservation. The meeting took place alongside ICESCO’s participation in the 8th “Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions,” hosted by Center for Interfaith Dialogue in Astana, on 17–18 September 2025.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Dr. AlMalik overviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting its programs and initiatives, particularly in heritage preservation across the Islamic world. Dr. AlMalik emphasized the establishment of the Islamic World Heritage Center and ICESCO’s inscription of 724 sites and elements on its heritage list.

For her part, Ms. Balayeva expressed her appreciation for ICESCO’s pioneering efforts in safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage and enhancing cultural fields in its Member States. Ms. Balayeva underscored the importance of training Kazakh professionals and expressed the Ministry’s intention to organize specialized training in cooperation with ICESCO on heritage preservation, maintenance, and restoration.

Furthermore, the Kazakh Minister highlighted her interest in inscribing several historical sites in Kazakhstan on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, commending the Organization’s role in emphasizing their civilizational value.

The discussion further addressed the possibility of designating a Kazakh city, particularly Turkestan, as the 2028 Cultural Capital in the Islamic World. Dr. AlMalik invited Ms. Balayeva to visit ICESCO headquarters in Rabat to continue coordination and discuss future cooperation projects.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), led the Organization’s delegation to the opening session of the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, hosted by the Center for Interfaith Dialogue in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 17-18 September 2025, under the chairmanship of H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The opening session began with a speech by President Tokayev, who emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence, highlighting Kazakhstan’s role as a hub for promoting global harmony and mutual respect among different cultures and religions.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik reviewed global developments in their humanitarian context, noting that estrangement, bloodshed, destruction, greed, and instability have become dominant features of today’s world, compounded by the absence of values of brotherhood, dialogue, and coexistence. He stressed that the roots of the crises facing humanity lie in spiritual emptiness.

Dr. AlMalik underlined the pivotal role of religious leaders in overcoming humanitarian challenges, stating that “religious diplomacy,” which ICESCO has integrated into its broader vision of “civilizational diplomacy,” offers the most effective means to build a world founded on peace, security, values, and noble ethics.

Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik presented several recommendations, including the establishment of a reference observatory to provide information, conduct analyses, and propose orientations and policies for religious leaders; mobilizing experts aware of the role of civilizational diplomacy in its spiritual and religious dimensions while employing modern tools; and creating an evidence base to anticipate the capacity of religious leaders to fulfill their roles.

The Congress gathers senior religious leaders and policymakers to promote dialogue among faith leaders, address contemporary challenges in interreligious relations, foster peace, and uphold shared human values.

The ICESCO delegation included Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.

The first edition of the comprehensive media training program, “Content Creation,” concluded on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the AbdulAziz Saud Al Babtain Cultural Foundation of Kuwait, the program took place at the Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC) in Cairo, Egypt.

The program, which was attended by eighteen media professionals over a period of ten days, is part of a cooperation protocol between ICESCO and EMPC aimed to train media professionals from various Islamic countries and enhance their skills.

The intensive program, held at the Up Skill Training Center at EMPC, included training sessions and professional workshops led by experts in the media industry. The program also included field visits to the headquarters of channels operating in the Media Production City, as well as practical training sessions in studios and open filming areas.

Implemented and supervised by ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, the program was designed to hone participants’ media skills in content production by providing practical training in a professional media environment. It also aimed to train participants on the latest audiovisual content production techniques and equip them with directing, filming, editing, media content writing, and effective content management via social media platforms skills.

At the end of the training session, Mr. Osama Heikal, head of ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, and Mr. Abdel Fattah El Gebaly, chairman of the board of directors and managing director of EMPC, presented ICESCO trainees with certificates of program completion.

During the ceremony, Mr. Heikal thanked Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director-General, for his interest in the program. He also thanked the Al Babtain Cultural Foundation for partnering with ICESCO to implement the program. Mr. Heikal also expressed his appreciation for EMPC’s efforts and mobilization of all their capabilities to the program.

Mr. Heikal said that the training session marks the beginning of a distinguished partnership with the EMPC stating that it will positively impact the media landscape in the Islamic world. In his turn, Mr. El Gebaly expressed his delight in cooperating with ICESCO, given its prominent role and influence in education, science, culture, and communication in the Islamic world.

Dr. Barakat Al Wegyan, director of Communication at the Media and Communication Sector, and Dr. Amany Farouk, director of the Training Center at EMPC, attended the ceremony.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) expresses its deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, its leadership, government, and people, over the devastating floods that claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands, and caused unprecedented destruction to property and infrastructure. A disaster of such scale calls for solidarity and support from all countries of the world, so that the people of Pakistan may overcome the tragic conditions left behind by the catastrophe.

While commending the responsible efforts made by the Pakistani authorities to mitigate the consequences of this painful calamity, the Organization conveys its full solidarity and support, affirming the depth of the ties binding ICESCO and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and reiterates its readiness to provide assistance that reflects its genuine stance during these difficult times.