Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. El-Mansour Veten, Executive Secretary of the Issoufou Mohamedou Foundation (IMF) in the Republic of Niger, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, headed by His Excellency the former President of Niger Mohamedou Issoufou.
During the meeting, held on Monday, July 4, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s eagerness to cooperate with civil society institutions in the Member States to contribute to social development, build the capacities of women and youth, consolidate the values of coexistence, tolerance, peace, civilizational dialogue and respect cultural diversity, reviewing ICESCO’s activities and programs in these fields.
For his part, Mr. Veten valued ICESCO’s role in contributing to the development and promoting forward-looking visions in the countries of the Islamic world, highlighting the diversity and richness of prospects for ICESCO and IMF cooperation in the future, whether in terms of holding seminars and workshops or through fieldwork to contribute to achieving sustainable development.
The meeting brought together Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation and Supervisor of the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.
On Monday (July 4, 2022), the 10th meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC), which will continue over two days, kicked off yesterday. The agenda of the meeting includes a review of a number of reports on the achievements of the Committee between the 2019 and 2022 sessions and the vision of the ICESCO Center of Islamic World Heritage, and an examination of nomination files of sites, heritage monuments and cultural elements submitted for inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List.
During the reception of the members of the Committee before the start of the meeting, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the valorization and protection of the Islamic world heritage rank high among the priorities of the ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, focusing on the special attention the Organization gives to training, capacity building of heritage professionals and cooperating with the Member States in this field.
Dr. AlMalik praised the work the Committee has done over the past three years, and its inscription of more than 350 historical sites and cultural elements on the Islamic World Heritage List, wishing it success in its current meeting.
For his part, Dr. Walid Alseif, IWHC Chairman, thanked ICESCO DG for the care and support the Committee receives from him and the General Directorate of the Organization, stressing that the committee will play its full role in promoting ICESCO’s new vision by documenting and recording the Islamic world heritage.
Thereafter, the Committee meeting started with an opening speech by Dr. Mohamad Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, in which he welcomed the attendees, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to ensure the success of the Committee’s action, and reviewed the procedures undertaken by the Organization in the field of heritage preservation under its new vision.
Before the first session of the meeting, Dr. Alseif reviewed the agenda of the 10th meeting, which features the presentation of a report on the achievements of the Committee between the two sessions of 2019-2022, and reviewing the inscription of heritage sites and monuments and cultural elements of Member States on the Islamic World Heritage List, and discussion of the proposal to adopt the list prepared by the scientific committee assisting the Islamic World Heritage Committee, and the proposal to adopt an amendment to the Committee’s rules of procedure.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a cultural forum, in partnership with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Morocco, within the framework of the Cenacles of Gentle Exchange and as part of the activities of the celebration of Rabat, 2022 Culture Capital in the Islamic world. The forum aims at introducing some Moroccan civilizational and historical aspects, which are considered intangible heritage, mainly the ceremony of the candle procession that takes place in the city of Salé on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday, as well as the artistic creations in the books of the Prophet’s Shama’il.
The event was held on Friday, July 1, 2022, with the presence of a group of researchers, historians and artists in the field of calligraphy, including the presentation of a sample of the procession of candles, the establishment of an exhibition of paintings of Moroccan writings in Shama’il, under the supervision of the artist Mohamed Amzel, the Rabat exhibition between yesterday and today by photojournalist Mr. Aqil Saleh and two lectures on Moroccan civilizational and historical aspects.
The forum began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and a scientific symposium by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), and Mr. Najib Riati, Cultural Advisor to the Director-General, Supervisor of the Cultural Capitals Program in the Islamic World.
For his part, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, delivered a speech welcoming the participants and guests. He highlighted that the Islamic civilization has created great aesthetic and spiritual aspects, including calligraphy and patterns related to the books of Shama’il. He pointed out that the procession of candles in the city of Salé, which is held annually, is one of the civilizational aspects representing the love of Muslims and attachment to their Prophet. The Deputy Director-General extended his sincere gratitude to the Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, who personally supervised the selection of calligraphy and pattern paintings for this occasion, which revive ancient artistic and cultural traditions.
Subsequently, Dr. Mohamed El Maghraoui, a research professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, gave a lecture on artistic creations in the books of the Prophet’s Shama’il, in which he pointed out that the science of Shama’il is one of the sciences of the Prophet’s biography, concerned with all aspects related to the Prophet (PBUH), and Muslims considered this science as a source of scientific, spiritual, moral and artistic inspiration.
He stressed that the artists were inspired by the biography of the Prophet contained in the books of Shama’il and several artworks and designs represented in the form of jewelry, slippers and other forms of art.
Mr. Abdelmajid Elhassouni also gave a lecture on the procession of candles highlighting the history of this procession, its origin, its manifestations, the celebrations accompanying it, and the attention the kings of Morocco accord to it as part of the celebrations of the Prophet’s Birthday.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon, at the Cabinet Office in Yaounde, and together discussed cooperation between ICESCO and Cameroon in the fields of education, science and culture.
At the beginning of the meeting, which was attended by Mr. Bidoung Kpwatt Ismaël, Minister of Arts and Culture of Cameroon, Dr. AlMalik commended the creativity and good organization of the ceremony that marked the launch of the Celebration of Yaounde as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, expressing his thanks to H.E. President Paul Biya for his patronage of the Celebration and to the Prime Minister for chairing and attending the ceremony. Dr. AlMalik also reaffirmed that ICESCO will work in close cooperation with the Cameroonian authorities to sustain the success of the Celebration which will feature a year-long program of activities and events.
For his part, the Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the Director-General, stressing that Cameroon accords great attention to cooperation with the Organization. He stated that the Cameroonian Government will provide the necessary support to all the activities of the Celebration of Yaounde as Culture Capital in the Islamic World and will ensure the organization of a closing ceremony with the same high levels of organization and creativity.
During the meeting Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations and the Organization’s priority issues, notably building the capacities of women and children, safeguarding heritage, anchoring the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, and promoting Member States’ investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.
Likewise, the Director-General talked about the major programs and activities implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the Cameroonian authorities, in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture of Cameroon, noting that ICESCO takes into consideration the priorities of each Member State in designing its programs and activities.
At the close of the meeting, the Director-General presented the Prime Minister with an ICESCO Shield to commemorate the meeting.
The meeting was attended by a number of the Prime Minister’s advisors, the Secretary-General of the Cameroonian National Commission, and Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, Minister of Basic Education and Chairman of the Cameroon National Commission for UNESCO, explored ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Cameroon in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, which took place today, Friday, July 1, 2022, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Basic Education in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé, the two parties reaffirmed their eagerness to sustain the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Cameroon, especially in light of the celebration of Yaoundé as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for a whole year, as well as to explore several programs and projects in the fields of education, science and culture.
The meeting touched upon the challenges facing education and the visions related to its transformation, before the Transforming Education Summit to be held next September in New York, during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the importance of taking into account the preservation of cultural identity and the specificities of each country during the transformation process.
ICESCO DG confirmed that the Organization will provide all the necessary support to Cameroon in the educational fields as the two parties agreed to arrange a visit of an ICESCO delegation to Yaoundé to review the new Cameroonian education strategy and to present some proposals in this regard.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in the Kingdom of Morocco, and in cooperation with several international partners, held an International Workshop on the role of the “Metaverse” in achieving sustainable development goals, to explore metaverse technologies and their role in achieving sustainable development goals in the fields of health, education, culture, economy and entrepreneurship among youth.
In his speech during the opening of the workshop, which was held on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the headquarters of the Interactive Digital Center of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, highlighted the Organization’s eagerness to raise awareness of various types of modern technologies and their role in promoting sustainable development by developing programs and holding seminars and workshops in the field of technology, innovation and metaverse technology for the benefit of the youth in the Islamic world.
For his part, Dr. Adel Smeda, Expert in the ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, reviewed some of the key aspects of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, which can be employed to develop the field of education in the future and improve learning methods.
The participants in the workshop, including experts and specialists in the field of modern technology, discussed the role of the metaverse in developing all areas of life. The workshop activities concluded with the graduation ceremony of the first batch of students from the Academy of Innovation in Virtual Reality, affiliated with the Interactive Digital Center.
Mr. El-Mansour Veten, Executive Secretary of the Issoufou Mohamedou Foundation (IMF) in the Republic of Niger, visited the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, headed by His Excellency the former President of Niger, Mohamedou Issoufou.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Ambassador Khaled Fath Al-Rahman, Head of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, received Mr. El-Mansour Veten, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation and Supervisor of the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.
During the meetings, the parties explored common issues between ICESCO and IMF mainly about peace and social development, capacity-building of women and youth, research and studies in the field of the cultural and civilizational history of Africa and the promotion of the values of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity on the continent.
ICESCO and IMF agreed to prepare a joint action program between the Organization and the Foundation and formulate a cooperation agreement to be signed in the future.
The Human and Social Sciences Sector participated in the 33rd extraordinary session of Crans Montana Forum Africa, held in Brussels, under the theme “The World in the Time of Economic Sovereignty in Africa,” with high-level participation of ministers and officials of international organizations to explore issues related to economic and human development and innovation in Africa.
Ms. Ramata Almami Mbaye, Head of the Sector, represented ICESCO in the Forum, on Friday (July 1, 2022). She participated in the symposium on African women: a dynamic element for community development and food security, which saw the participation of Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, and several high-level figures.
In her intervention, Ms. Ramatta stressed the importance of protecting women and strengthening their leadership capabilities. ICESCO’s vision places women at the forefront of its priorities. It proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Women, under the theme “Women and the Future.”
ICESCO also strives through its leading programmes in the Member States to build human capital and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth. It launched a project to counter the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic by supporting the entrepreneurial sense among women and youth, which was implemented in partnership with the Alwaleed Philanthropies Foundation in 10 African countries” added Ms. Ramatta.
The General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, held a workshop to publicize the ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities and highlight its requirements and eligibility criteria.
The workshop was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, via videoconference from the Meshkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters, and focused on providing an overview of the partnership program between ICESCO and the Foundation. The workshop also featured presentations on the Meshkat Platform for Educational Excellence Capacities in the field of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities: achievements, criteria and prospects, in addition to a video on the Prize and its past editions.
In addition, the workshop featured a video testimony of an institution that won the Prize in a past edition, followed by a discussion where Dr. Ahmad Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Supervisor of the General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences, answered participants’ questions.
The workshop saw the participation of several representatives of Member States’ National Commissions, and the representatives of associations, bodies and institutions working in the field of developing educational facilities in the Islamic world.
The Celebration of Yaoundé, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, officially kicked off in a major ceremony, held under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, who presided over the ceremony, on Thursday 30 June 2022, at the National Museum in Yaoundé. The ceremony also brought together Mr. Joseph Dion Ngoti, Prime Minister of Cameroon, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector, senior Cameroonian officials and religious leaders, public figures and accredited ambassadors as well as thousands of citizens.
The launch of the year-round celebration, in coordination between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Arts and Culture of the Republic of Cameroon, falls within the framework of the new edition of ICESCO Programme of Cultural Capitals in the Islamic World, which aims at promoting heritage and consolidating the values of peace, coexistence and civilized dialogue.
In his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the President of the Republic of Cameroon for his generous sponsorship of the celebration and his continuous support for cultural development, commending the role of Yaoundé in the production of oral literature in the African continent, contemporary arts and music.
He also commended the linguistic, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of Yaoundé, the City of the Seven Hills, pointing out that it is a model of religious moderation, tolerance and spiritual and moral values. “The celebration of Yaoundé will contribute to achieving sustainable development in the fields of culture and scientific research and building the capacities of women and youth,” added ICESCO DG.
Dr. AlMalik stressed the Organization’s willingness to cooperate with the relevant Cameroonian authorities to ensure the success of the celebration, which will contribute to the promotion of tourism in the city, highlight its heritage and natural sites, enhance its regional and international reputation, attract investments in the cultural field and promote coexistence and tolerance.
“ICESCO will assist the Cameroonian authorities to inscribe heritage sites in the Al-Halouf region, Goto Golfi Tower and Bidzar archaeological site on the Islamic World Heritage List. It will also hold workshops on the inscription process of cultural elements on the heritage lists,” underlined Dr. AlMalik.
Moreover, he pointed out that the ICESCO Chair on Cultural Diversity, Peace and International Cooperation at the Institute of International Relations in Cameroon will be strengthened to develop scientific research and hold an international conference on cultural heritage and local development in Yaoundé in addition to several activities in coordination with the Cameroonian National Commission.
At the close of his address, ICESCO DG lauded the achievements of a number of Cameroonian figures in the fields of politics, literature, culture, arts and sports, stressing that they constitute a source of inspiration for new generations in Africa and all continents.
