Category: News update

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an international symposium in observance of World Theater Day, with the participation of eminent writers, play directors and academicians. The event aimed at casting light on the importance of theater in achieving sustainable development and cultivating harmonious coexistence, discussing its history and culture and reviewing the developments it has witnessed over the years.

Participants in the symposium, held on Monday, March 28, 2022, via videoconference, emphasized the importance of cultural policies and the need to elaborate strategies aimed at the development of creative capacities to advance the cultural field in the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered the opening remarks in which he noted that this celebration highlights the profound significance of fine art and culture, awakens the civilizational awareness of societies, and underlines the need for sustainable development and human prosperity, which lay at the core of theatrical art.

He added that one of ICESCO’s main missions is supporting theatre through a forward-looking vision promoting initiatives that are geared towards the development of theatrical art as an intangible cultural heritage reflecting a sense of belonging and civic engagement, and mirroring a culture of integration, teamwork, dialogue and openness.

ICESCO DG stressed that the Organization, in cooperation with its Member States, endeavors to strengthen human competencies and creative talents in fine theatrical art. “ICESCO recommends logistic and financial support for theater and artists, the preservation of their rights and intellectual property, the reconciliation of theatrical art with education, the integration of people with disabilities into theatrical work, the use of theater in the promotion of social cohesion, and the safeguarding of theatrical heritage through the latest archival technologies,” added Dr. AlMalik.

In his address, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, noted that ICESCO’s observance of World Theater Day is part of its new vision based on openness to all cultural fields. “This celebration is an appreciation of the role of culture in defining the essence of societies, a recognition of its importance and a promotion of cultural luminaries,” added the ICESCO official.

Dr. Dima Hamdan, Supervisor of the ICESCO Chair at the Lebanese University, emphasized that theater has historically been used as a shield against crises. She added that theater is an art that translates suffering into fine cathartic works that speak to the soul, and that it is a means of communication that anchors development, social cohesion and coexistence.

Dr. Dima Hamdan then moderated the symposium’s sessions, yielding the floor to Dr. Messaoud Driss, Professor at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art at Tunis University, whose address touched upon the history of Tunisian theater and the stages of its evolution as well as the characteristics of Tunisian cultural practices. For his part, Dr. Sulayman Al-Bassam, playwright and director, reviewed his theatrical scripts and performances and explained how he drew inspiration from reality in selecting the themes of his works.

Dr. Omar Fertat, Lecturer at Bordeaux Montaigne University in France, reviewed the general trends of the Moroccan theater, which witnessed a prominent female presence in recent years. In the same vein, Ms. Nidal Al-Achkar, Lebanese actress and director, noted that theater is a binding link between all members of society, regardless of differences in classes and ideas.

In his address, Dr. Machhour Mustapha, Professor in the Department of Theatre, Cinema and Television at the Doctoral School of the Lebanese University, discussed the various methods of teaching play directing, underlining that it is imperative for directing instructors to be knowledgeable about acting. He also underscored the need to support artists, provide spaces for cultural activities and develop a sense of objective criticism to attain cultural prosperity.

The 3rd International Conference on Space 2022, co-organized by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Islamic World Organization for Science, Education and Culture (ICESCO), Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) and Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET), kicked off on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Islamabad, Pakistan, under the theme “Role of Space Technology and Applications in Socio-economic Development.”

The opening session of the Conference witnessed the participation of high-level officials and experts in the field of space sciences, who will share, over three days, knowledge and experiences, and explore the latest developments and state-of-the-art space innovations.

In his prerecorded speech, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), called for capitalizing on the applications and mechanisms of space science and technology to enhance the capacities of youth and women in Muslim countries in the areas of innovation and modern technology to achieve socio-economic development, rationalize the use of natural resources, promote peace values and address the challenges facing humanity.

ICESCO DG also stressed that the Organization, in its new vision and action strategy, strongly encourages its Member States to invest in the field of space sciences and its applications.

In his intervention, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of integrating space sciences into Muslim countries’ development policies and disseminate knowledge on space technologies and prospects.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at the Kasbah of the Udayas, one of most emblematic monuments of Rabat, a city celebrated as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, with a rich, year-long program featuring various activities. The celebration of Rabat, which officially kicked off on March 24, 2022, is granted the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.

During the meeting, held today, Friday, March 25, 2022, the two parties reaffirmed the keenness of their respective Organizations to sustain cooperation within the framework of the agreement concluded between ICESCO and UNESCO in November 2019 on capacity building, development and technical assistance, along with other areas of common interest.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Ms. Azoulay with a copy of ICESCO’s recently-issued book “Peace 360: Exploring the Dimensions of Peace.”

ICESCO DG reviewed the main focuses of the Organization’s strategic orientations by 2025, its executive plans and priority programs that represent potential avenues of cooperation between ICESCO and UNESCO. These include training youth on peace-building, anchoring the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue, promoting investment in space science and artificial intelligence applications, mitigating the adverse impact of climate change and conducting foresight studies on the future of the Islamic world and the African continent as well as the future of artificial intelligence in education.

This meeting took place on the sidelines of the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the inscription of Rabat on the World Heritage List. The event was held at the Kasbah of the Udayas by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, a major ceremony was held to mark the inauguration of the Celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022. Held by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), today, Thursday 24 March 2022, at the Mohammed V Theatre, the ceremony witnessed high-level participation including officials from the Moroccan Government, public figures, authors, intellectuals and artists in addition to a large audience.

The year-long celebration of Rabat as the 2022 Culture Capital in the Islamic World is organized as part of the ICESCO Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World and will feature a large selection of programs and activities both in Rabat and other Moroccan cities. The celebration aims to highlight the civilizational status of Rabat and cast light on its abundant tangible and intangible heritage.

The ceremony was opened by an address by Mr. Mohamed Al-Mehdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, who stated that the selection of Rabat as Culture capital in the Islamic World for 2022, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, reaffirms the special attention His Majesty accord to the Kingdom’s capital. He added that this selection also reflects Rabat’s special position in the African, Arab, Islamic and International levels as a model for cultural coexistence, a symbol of both authenticity and modernity, and a hub of several key developmental projects.

The Moroccan Minister also expressed his thanks to ICESCO and all the cooperating parties and media outlets for their efforts to ensure the success of this event and highlight the cultural image of the Kingdom as a land of respect, coexistence and tolerance.

Taking the floor next, was Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), who talked about Rabat’s long-standing landmarks, ten-century-long glorious history and diverse heritage sites including Udayas Castle, Hassan Tower, Challah, and Bouregreg River, noting that Rabat is the city of the past, present and future.

The DG expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, may Allah assist him, for the royal attention ICESCO has been receiving since its inception by the late King Hassan II, may Allah rest his soul in peace.

In addition, Dr. AlMalik noted that the Rabat celebration will feature a large number of activities, cultural, literary and art exhibitions, most notably the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, in its first destination outside of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. The Director-General concluded his address with a poem he wrote hailing the history and glory of Rabat.

For her part, Ms. Asmaa Rhlalou, Mayor of Rabat, stated in her address that the cultural projects implemented in Rabat will contribute to its cultural outreach, in an embodiment of the royal keenness to render the Kingdom’s capital an international civilizational and cultural hub. She added that this celebration is a re-discovery of the Capital of Lights from various cultural and artistic dimensions, which would eventually promote the image of Morocco as a land of tolerance and diversity and contribute to highlighting its openness to various cultures nations.

Following the opening remark, a short video on the City of Rabat was screened, which was prepared by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, followed by Dr. AlMalik handing over the celebration flag to the Mayor of Rabat.

The inaugural celebration featured a music show by the Orchestra of Tetouan headed by Mr. Amine El-Akrami with the participation of the eminent Munshids Marouane Hajji from Fez, Abdeslam Sefiani from Sale, and Fouad Taibi from Rabat, in addition to the distinguished artist Samira Kadiri and her orchestra.