The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos) are holding a three-day training workshop on the fundamentals of space medicine, particularly the health care of astronauts during their missions.
The workshop, which kicked off on December 19, 2024 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will tackle the critical challenges facing astronauts, including the negative effects of weightlessness, exposure to radiation, and physiological and psychological effects, especially during long-term space missions.
In his speech, Dr. Mohamed Sharif, Advisor in the Science and Environment Sector, who represented ICESCO virtually at the opening session, stressed the importance of space medicine in shaping the future of human space exploration. He also pointed out the importance of benefiting from space science applications to achieve sustainable development, praising the constructive cooperation between ICESCO and Azercosmos in enhancing the capacities of space industry professionals and using space sciences in addressing global challenges.
For his part, Mr. Samaddin Asadov, Azercosmos Board Chairman, stressed the importance of scientific research in the field of space medicine to develop innovative solutions and technologies to protect astronauts from the risks they face, emphasizing the role of scientific research and innovation in the field of space medicine in developing health care on planet Earth.
As part of the celebration of World Arabic Language Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the International Forum “The Arabic Language and the Creation of Useful Content” at its headquarters in Rabat on Thursday, 19 December 2024, with the participation of a select group of content creators known for producing useful content in standard Arabic.
The opening session of the Forum began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, who underlined the importance of the Forum’s theme in a world of increasing communication and information, hence the role of language as a powerful tool for communication.
He also pointed out that this Forum reflects ICESCO’s belief in the complementarity between Arabic and the creation of useful content, and is aimed to highlight the contributions of this language to media action and its most recent tools, namely content creation, as well as to highlight the role of Arabic in preserving the civilizational identity of the Islamic world.
Furthermore, Dr. Benarafa stated that Arabic, given its universality, must contribute to the creation of meaningful content that reinforces its international status, cultural understanding and exchange. He also reiterated the urgent need for a qualified language to support the creation of useful content that provides information based on unbiased facts and reliable and objective evidence, in light of ICT revolution.
In a speech delivered on behalf of Mr. Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, Ms. Samira Lemlizi, Secretary-General Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, noted that Arabic is a communicative and cognitive link across a vast geographical area, and praised the language’s role in preserving national identity and promoting cultural diversity in Morocco.
Afterwards, the winners of the “ICESCO Young Anchors” competition, organized by the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers to encourage non-Arabic-speaking children to practice and master the language, were announced. 200 children from 23 countries took part in the competition, and prizes were awarded to the following three winners: Hussam Mustafa from Canada won first prize, Aisha Timur from Türkiye won the second and Mohammed Aslam from Malaysia won third.
This ceremony was followed by the first discussion panel on the creation of Arabic language and literature content, in which a group of content creators from Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Syria and Palestine presented their inspiring experiences and initiatives in this field. The following session titled “Creating Public Cultural Content in Classical Arabic”, featured rich discussions between content creators from Jordan, Morocco and Türkiye on the challenges they face and how to overcome them.
At the end of the forum, participants formulated a series of recommendations, namely to work towards perpetuating the Arabic language and its major role in shaping the global cultural scene, to support the creation and development of useful content befitting Arabic and its civilizational value, and to invest in visual content to enhance the status of Arabic worldwide.
Sultan Qaboos University in the Sultanate of Oman hosted a ceremony to announce the winners of the Second Edition of “My Thesis in 1,000 Words” Prize, organized by the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, which reports to the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The ceremony was organized in cooperation with ICESCO’s Chair on Machine Learning for Remote Sensing at Sultan Qaboos University, the Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for Geoscience and Remote Sensing, and the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. This edition saw the participation of PhD researchers at 35 universities from 25 countries and was marked by a new prize in the fields of artificial intelligence.
During the finals, held Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the ten finalists presented their theses before a jury consisting of experts and academics specializing in various fields. The jury then held its deliberations and announced six winners: three in general specialties and three in the use of AI in remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The winners in the general specialties were: Hajar Akhoutir from Ibn Zohr University in the Kingdom of Morocco (first place), Tahiyya bin Muhammad bin Saud Al-Tubiyya from Sultan Qaboos University (second place), and Soundous bint Nasser bin Said Al-Subhiyya, from Georgia State University, USA (third place).
As for the AI Prize, the three winners were: Khaled bin Mubarak Al-Jaberi from Sultan Qaboos University (first place), Alaa Ahmad Ismail Al-Nubi from Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (second place), and Mashael bint Abdulrahman Al-Luhaibi from King Saud University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (third place).
At the close of the ceremony, Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and Dr. Yaseen Al-Mulla, Director of the Remote Sensing Center at Sultan Qaboos University, presented the prizes to the six winners, which consisted of certificates of appreciations and monetary rewards of 2,000USD to first place winners, 1,500USD to second place winners, and 1,000USD to third place winners.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a series of training workshops on green education and sustainable development in Malé, Republic of Maldives, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education. The workshops benefited a number of senior education officials, school principals and teachers, and are part of the activities of ICESCO’s “Framework for Greening Education in the Islamic World”, launched by the Organization at COP29 in Azerbaijan. The series marks the first set of activities held as part of the Framework in ICESCO Member States.
The first training workshop was held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, under the theme, “Inclusive education for sustainable development and the global perspective on green education”. The workshop saw high-level participation and was moderated by Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, and Dr. Waqas Afridi, Expert at the same sector.
Likewise, the second workshop, titled “ICESCO-Maldives Workshop for the Training of Trainers in Climate and Green Education in Schools”, was held on 15—16 December, for the benefit of a number of teachers, and aimed at building their capacities in the field of greening school curricula, particularly in view of the negative impact of climate change on the Maldives.
In her statement at the workshops, Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey stressed the importance of transforming education to achieve the goals of the Education 2030 Agenda. She also presented ICESCO’s Greening Education Framework, which serves as a guidance document for policymakers and senior decision-makers, and aims to integrate scientific evidence on climate change as well as the socio-economic and behavioral aspects of climate justice into education.
On the sidelines of the workshops, the ICESCO delegation held talks with Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Education of the Maldives, who welcomed this series of workshops on greening education in light of the climate change affecting his country. The two parties also discussed the organization of an ICESCO international education conference in Malé next year.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the European Muslim Scholars Council (EULEMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish cooperation between the two parties in consolidating the values of intercultural and interfaith coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.
The MoU was signed on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Yahya Pallavicini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Muslim Scholars Council, in the presence of a number of ICESCO’s heads of sector and directors of department and center. Upon the signing, Dr. Al-Malik expressed his happiness for this step, which lays the foundation for future partnership between ICESCO and the Council of European Muslim Leaders, with a view to pursuing the common objectives, particularly highlighting the tolerant image of our noble religion and combating extremism.
For his part, Dr. Pallavicini stressed the Council’s keenness to enhance cooperation with ICESCO given its leading roles in promoting dialogue, harmony and tolerance.
The five-year MoU provides for the joint organization of exhibitions in Europe to highlight the biographies of the Prophets and Messengers, shed light on the values of humaneness and mercy in their biographies, hold international conferences, seminars and training workshops in areas of common interest, and support Euro-Mediterranean cooperation through youth, academic and cultural exchange programs.
The MoU also includes developing educational initiatives and conducting training sessions to address contemporary challenges facing religious leaders in Europe, exchanging ideas and views on issues of peace, dialogue and peaceful coexistence, promoting interfaith dialogue, and issuing and exchanging scientific and research reports, books and periodicals.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Byashimova Myakhri, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, during her visit to the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The visit was part of her participation in a ceremony commemorating the 300th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Turkmen poet and thinker, Magtymguly Fragi. The event was organized by ICESCO in partnership with the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
The meeting, held on Wednesday 18 December 2024, was also attended by Ms. Chynar Rustamova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Executive Secretary of Turkmenistan’s National Commission for UNESCO. During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its ongoing initiatives, programs, and projects aimed at benefiting its Member States and Muslim communities worldwide.
Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s keen interest in Turkmenistan joining as a Member State, particularly given that the country has been a Member State of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since 1992.
In response, Ms. Byashimova expressed her gratitude to ICESCO Director-General for the warm reception and for hosting the commemorative ceremony of Magtymguly Fragi’s 300th birth anniversary. Ms. Byashimova stated that the Government of Turkmenistan is carefully considering joining ICESCO, recognizing its significant importance to Islamic countries in its areas of expertise. She further affirmed that all necessary legal procedures for membership would be finalized shortly, enabling Turkmenistan to enhance its cooperation with Islamic world countries in education, science, and culture.
Ms. Bashimova extended an official invitation to Dr. AlMalik to visit Turkmenistan and engage with senior officials. Dr. AlMalik affirmed his intention to accept the invitation following the announcement of Turkmenistan’s Membership in ICESCO, marking the beginning of a constructive partnership between both parties.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted, Today, Wednesday 18 December 2024, at its headquarters in Rabat, a ceremony to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. The Event was organized in partnership with the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Celebration aimed to shed light on the cultural legacy of this great poet as part of ICESCO’s initiative to honor the icons of culture and heritage of the Islamic world.
In his opening address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, emphasized that the work of Magtymguly Fragi, considered the founder of Turkmen literature, represents an outstanding model of classical literature and a rich legacy deeply connected to the teachings of Islam. He noted that ICESCO is proud to participate in honoring this cultural figure who contributed to enriching the civilization of the Islamic world. The Event aligns with ICESCO’s ongoing efforts to bring to light exceptional figures who have played a role in advancing the fields of science, culture, and the arts.
Dr. AlMalik also highlighted that TURKSOY’s declaration of 2024 as the Year of the Poet and Thinker Magtymguly Fragi is an international recognition of the cultural significance of this great poet’s legacy. He added that the collaboration between ICESCO and TURKSOY would include building knowledge platforms, conducting joint research, and launching cultural programs to strengthen ties among the nations of the Islamic world.
Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of TURKSOY, stated that Magtymguly Pyragy’s poems have transcended time and built bridges between cultures and civilizations through his profound understanding of Islamic morals and values.
Ms. Mahri Bashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, stressed the importance of safeguarding national cultural heritage in an era of globalization and increased cultural exchange. She praised Fragi’s intellectual contributions as a national legacy that, through its uniqueness, has become an integral part of the global cultural library.
Before the ceremony’s opening session, Dr. AlMalik, accompanied by Mr. Raev, Ms. Bashimova, and other distinguished guests, toured an art exhibition accompanying the Event. The Exhibition showcased Turkmen heritage through textiles, handicrafts, renowned literary works by Pyragy, as well as artistic paintings and drawings reflecting the esteemed status of this legendary poet.
As part of the Event’s activities, a panel discussion titled “The Role of Magtymguly Fragi in Bridging Cultures” was held. The Session concluded with the screening of a documentary on the life and works of the Great Thinker, titled “The Journey of Magtymguly Fragi.”
In the closing remarks delivered by Ms. Chynar Rustamova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Executive Secretary of the Turkmenistan National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO, the importance of celebrating the legacy of the Great Turkmen Poet and Thinker Magtymguly Fragi as a symbol of Islamic cultural heritage was underscored.
The Ceremony concluded with a musical performance featuring Turkmen folkloric dances and traditional displays.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), held discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations in cultural fields, with a particular focus on heritage preservation and promotion.
The meeting, held today, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, coincided with the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. This event was co-organized by ICESCO, TURKSOY, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, attended by Ms. Lachin Ovazgeldiyeva, Turkmenistan’s delegate to TURKSOY, both parties reiterated their commitment to building a fruitful partnership. This partnership aims to implement programs and projects for the benefit of Member States of both organizations. Key objectives include promoting coexistence, peace, intercultural dialogue, recognizing figures of the Islamic world who have contributed to human civilization, and preserving tangible and intangible heritage of Islamic nations.
The meeting also explored several proposals for collaboration. Both parties agreed to maintain close coordination to develop implementation plans for the selected programs and projects.
ICESCO was represented at the meeting by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation; and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of DG.
The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the International Conference on “Interfaith Harmony: Nurturing Peaceful Coexistence”, organized on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by ICESCO, in partnership with the State Committee for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat, to discuss the role of religion in building peaceful societies and ways to address the challenges of promoting coexistence and interfaith dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution.
The conference, which saw high-level attendance led by Andre Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as a number of ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Rabat, began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, in which he stressed the importance of this international conference in the path of establishing world peace.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stressed that the current global developments and transformations place great responsibilities on everyone to build peace and maintain security, as the current situation requires a moment to uphold the values of human partnership, pointing out to the need to recognize the efficiency of faith and its people as peace bearers in shaping the future of humanity.
He added that ICESCO’s newly coined concept of “civilizational diplomacy” serves as a tool to resolve culturally rooted conflicts, indicating that the Organization is tirelessly working to ensure the steady progress of international peace. He also lauded Azerbaijan’s remarkable success in managing its unique diversity, commending the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan.
For his part, Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Affairs of Azerbaijan, highlighted the great attention that Azerbaijan pays to promoting the culture of diversity, coexistence and harmony, and supporting the values of religious freedom, commending ICESCO’s efforts to promote coexistence and peace.
Rafael Huseynov, Deputy Chair, Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed that the Islamic world’s civilization is a common and diverse heritage shared by many peoples, who remained united under the umbrella of civilization regardless of their different languages, religions, customs and traditions.
The first session discussed “Interreligious Harmony as a Basic Element of Sustainable Development” with the participation of experts from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Libya and Senegal. The second session tackled the “Best Practices in Religious Coexistence” with the participation of experts from Azerbaijan, Italy, Britain, and Tunisia.
ICESCO DG took the distinguished guests on a tour of the sideline exhibition “Shared Humanity, Diverse Faiths” to highlight religious diversity and tolerance in Azerbaijan.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. André Azoulay, Advisor to the King of Morocco and founding president of the Essaouira Mogador Association, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, during Mr. Azoulay’s visit to ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. The visit took place to mark the opening of the international conference titled “Interfaith Harmony: Promoting Peaceful Coexistence,” organized by ICESCO in collaboration with the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to Mr. Azoulay for attending the opening of this significant conference, which aligns with ICESCO’s new vision and its ongoing efforts to promote the values of coexistence, peace, and dialogue. Dr. AlMalik praised the rich cultural and civilizational diversity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The meeting focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Essaouira Mogador Association, as well as Bayt Dakira Museum in Essaouira. The Museum’s exhibits, including documents, photographs, films, musical recordings, and traditional clothing, reflect Morocco’s distinctive model of coexistence and tolerance among followers of the divine religions.
For his part, Mr. Azoulay commended ICESCO’s role and efforts to foster peace and coexistence, affirming the Association’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with ICESCO in areas of mutual interest.
