Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Dauren Abayev, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to discuss ways of improving cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan in the fields of culture.

During the meeting, held on Thursday (September 15, 2022) at the Ministry’s headquarters, in Nur-Sultan, in the presence of the Deputy Minister and the Director of International Relations as well as a number of the ministry officials, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, which contribute to laying the foundations for cultural policies in Muslim countries and ensuring the protection and preservation of heritage, highlighting the Organization’s key initiatives and programmes implemented to valorize the cultural heritage of Muslim countries, promote digital culture, spread awareness about the importance of sport as a driving force for building peace and dialogue between societies, uniting peoples and breaking down barriers of hatred, as well as developing the educational process and maintaining students’ health.

For his part, the Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports commended ICESCO’s remarkable roles in its areas of competence and the distinguished relations between the Organization and Kazakhstan, stressing his willingness to continue and develop this partnership.

Moreover, the meeting tackled the proposal of organizing cultural weeks by the competent parties in Kazakhstan, Rabat, Cairo, and Yaounde, which are celebrated as Culture Capitals in the Islamic World for 2022 with a view to introducing Kazakh culture and promoting cultural exchange.

The two parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation through many programmes and activities, including Kazakhstan’s submission of files of heritage sites and cultural elements for their inscription on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, co-organize a training session for young people on the restoration and preservation of cultural property, and an international symposium on Al-Farabi’s contributions to human civilization, and take the necessary measures to sign a memorandum of understanding on the formula of cooperation, at the Organization’s headquarters.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the tree-planting ceremony, organized at the Peace and Harmony Park, in Nur-Sultan.

This ceremony, held on Thursday (September 15, 2022), as part of the 7th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, saw the participation of the President of the Kazakh Senate and the Mayor of Nur-Sultan, along with the heads of delegation and leaders of religions taking part in the Congress, as a symbol that religions call for peace and unity.

Afterward, the participants in the Congress took a group photo.

Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), on the sidelines of their participation in the seventh session of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan the capital of Kazakhstan. The two sides explored ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and the Alliance of Civilizations in the field of peacebuilding and the consolidation of the values of coexistence and civilized dialogue.

During the meeting, which took place today, Thursday (September 15, 2022), Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s comprehensive vision in the field of peacebuilding under which ICESCO implements several initiatives and programmes, including ICESCO’s program for training youth and women in leadership for peace and security, which aims at qualifying and mobilizing young people to become ambassadors of peace in their communities through equipping them with the tools of knowledge and leadership skills by exchanges with inspirational leaders and expert trainers.
The meeting reviewed ICESCO’s partnership in organizing the high-level conference to be held by the Alliance of Civilizations in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, which will be attended by religious leaders.

For his part, Mr. Moratinos praised the roles played by ICESCO in building peace and promoting civilizational dialogue, stressing the keenness of the Alliance of Civilizations to cooperate with ICESCO.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, awarded Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Memorial Medal of Honor (30th independence anniversary of Kazakhstan), in appreciation of his efforts in developing ICESCO and its pioneering roles, and promoting relations between the Organization and Kazakhstan in the fields of education, science and culture.

Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, awarded the Medal of Honor to Dr. AlMalik, on Thursday (15 September 2022), during his current visit to Nur-Sultan to attend the 7th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

The Minister pointed out that this medal is one of the key medals awarded by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to eminent international figures, in appreciation of their efforts in strengthening cooperation and international relations, and in commemoration of the 30th independence anniversary of Kazakhstan.

For his part, Dr. Al-Malik expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, stressing his pride in this medal, granted by one of ICESCO’s outstanding Member States, with which the Organization has a distinguished partnership.
Moreover, the Supreme Scientific Council of Eurasia National University decided to award an honorary doctorate to Dr. AlMalik, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the fields of education, science, and culture since he assumed his position as ICESCO DG and his support for scientific research and academic chairs.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Khairat Abdulrahmanov, High Commissioner for National Minorities at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) discussed prospects for cooperation between the two Organizations in the areas of promoting civilizational dialogue, consolidating the values of peace and coexistence, building capacity of youth and women and contributing to the consolidation of relations between peoples and societies around the world.

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, September 15, 2022, in the city of Nur-Sultan, comes as part of the visit of the ICESCO DG to the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the activities of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations and the Organization’s ongoing key programmes and activities, in cooperation with its Member States, in its fields of action. Mr. Abdurahmanov, in his turn, reviewed OSCE’s action areas and its objectives.

The two parties explored several areas of common interest between ICESCO and OSCE, as well as proposals for programmes and activities that the two Organizations could cooperate in implementing, mainly ICESCO Youth Leadership Training for Peace and Security Programme, and ICESCO’s Youth Training Programme on how to establish and develop small businesses in the field of technology. and innovation, which aims at supporting more than 150 start-ups in the field of innovation and technology in ICESCO Member States by 2025, in addition to cooperating in holding several conferences and seminars on issues that are consistent with the common priorities of the two Organizations.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold meetings at the level of experts between the two Organizations, to develop an implementation plan and mechanisms to build fruitful cooperation based on practical programmes and activities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that as we come closer to the end of the pandemic, we are more convinced of the need for more synergy and cooperation among individuals and groups regardless of their faith, skin color, language, and culture. “We are more aware of Allah’s wisdom behind the common origin of humanity despite their different paths in life. The leaders of world religions made great efforts during the pandemic. The Congress will surely outline new visions to develop a road map likely to address the pandemic’s repercussions,” he underscored.

This came in the DG’s address at the opening of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which kicked off on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and in the presence of Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican, and His Eminence The Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and high-ranking world religious leaders, to support spiritual and social development in the post-Covid 19 period, based on the role of religions in promoting the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence.

ICESCO DG stated that religious leaders made great efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, which infected and resulted in the death of millions around the world, through initiatives that responded to humanity’s aspirations. He added that all post-pandemic challenges should be addressed through wisdom, tolerance, calmness, moderation, and acceptance of differences.

He said that historical moments are rare in the span of every generation. Thus, it is imperative to fully and firmly take advantage of the opportunities that similar moments offer such as our current stage, which is rich in experiences, evidence, and approaches that we have accumulated over the two years of this severe pandemic. “This experience should give us the courage and credibility to seize the unique opportunity before us to provide answers and solutions to major issues and challenges to be ready to usher in the post-pandemic era, which places the health sector in the right position, build educational systems that are more resilient to crises, recognize the importance of the family system, which will remain the viable nucleus for the growth of the tree of life and the transcendence and civilization of nations and build the capacity of young people to keep pace with tomorrow’s sciences, artificial intelligence technology, and live languages,” he stressed.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik indicated that the Organization launched several promising initiatives, mainly the International Virtual Forum on the Role of Religious Leadership in the Face of Crises, which concluded with the adoption of a global document on moral solidarity in times of crisis.

At the close of his address, ICESCO DG noted the efforts made by the Republic of Kazakhstan to strengthen the values ​​of coexistence, manage cultural diversity and represent civilizational awareness.

Following ICESCO DG, Mr. Maulen Ashimbayev, Chair of the Senate of Kazakhstan and moderator of the session, commended ICESCO’s roles and its new vision.