Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced the winning teams of its initiative “App-a-Thon for Health,” held under the theme “Building Apps to Enhance Patient Care.” The hackathon saw the participation of more than 200 young innovators from countries across the Islamic world and concluded with a closing ceremony held on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, as part of the International eHealth Forum at Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Launched in April 2025, the initiative aimed to empower young innovators across ICESCO Member States to develop practical digital solutions to improve patient care, strengthen health systems, and enhance youth capacities in health technology.

The jury, composed of international experts, recognized five projects for their innovation and impact. The results were as follows:

• First place: Team NeuroSense, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates;
• Second place: Team DermaScope AI, National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Morocco;
• Third place: Team CardioRisk AI, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
• Fourth place: Team PharmaSim, International Islamic University Malaysia;
• Fifth place: Team BabyHealth AI, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco.

In his address during the ceremony, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, emphasized that the initiative reinforces the Organization’s commitment to strengthening digital health capacities across its Member States. Dr. Anass Doukkali, Head of the e-Health Innovation Center at Mohammed V University, noted that collaboration with ICESCO reflects a shared belief in the power of youth-led innovation.

Dr. Adel Smeda, expert at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, noted that the e-Health Hackathon is part of the Organization’s efforts to advance digital transformation and foster youth empowerment across the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation in areas of shared interest.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, 27 November, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Mr. Ahmimed on his recent appointment as Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, expressing his appreciation for the joint programs and initiatives implemented so far, including the launch of a global dashboard to monitor progress in advancing the greening education initiative, unveiled on the sidelines of COP30 in Brazil.

The meeting also explored prospects for enhancing future collaboration in education, culture and science through programs, initiatives and activities aimed at building youth capacities in Maghreb countries and fostering creativity and innovation.

Attending the meeting from ICESCO were Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Translation and Publishing Centre, and Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Hassaballah Mahdi Fadla, President of the Supreme Council for the Arabic Language in Africa, and President of the General Union of Institutions for the Support of the Arabic Language in Chad. The two officials explored prospects for cooperation in promoting the Arabic language and consolidating its presence in Africa.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s keenness to strengthen partnerships with the institutions concerned with serving the Arabic language in Africa, noting that the Organization attaches special priority to teaching Arabic, promoting knowledge production in Arabic, and supporting its international presence through its various relevant programs. He also expressed ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate with various potential partners.

For his part, Dr. Hassaballah Mahdi Fadla introduced the Council, highlighting the history of the Arabic language in Chad and the establishment of the General Union of Institutions for the Support of the Arabic Language. He also reviewed the proceedings and outcomes of the International Scientific Conference on Arabic in Sub-Saharan Africa, notably the establishment of the Supreme Council for the Arabic Language in Africa.

The two parties also considered potential joint initiatives with African countries in the areas of teacher training, the development of Arabic teaching curricula, and the promotion of specialized scientific research on Arabic in the African context.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers; Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General in charge of ICESCO’s External Bodies in the field of Arabic; and Mr. Fouad Bouali, President of the National Coalition for Arabic in Morocco, and Vice-President of the Supreme Council for the Arabic Language in Africa.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Zeinoul Abedien Cajee, CEO of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (Awqaf SA), and together they discussed mechanisms for developing joint programs aimed at supporting Arabic language education and anchoring the values of peace, coexistence and civilizational dialogue.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s pioneering efforts in its areas of competence, casting light on its strategies to promote the Arabic language’s presence at the global level. He added that the Organization works toward developing methods for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers through the work of its Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers as well as its regional educational centers.

Likewise, Dr. AlMalik stressed the Organization’s keenness to build a fruitful partnership with the Foundation, with a view to consolidating the roles of Arabic as a bridge for cultural communication and a tool for spreading tolerance. He also expressed ICESCO’s readiness to dispatch specialized experts to train educational professionals in South Africa and contribute to the development of curricula and related skills.

For his part, Mr. Zeinoul Abedien Cajee commended the key roles ICESCO plays within its areas of competence, and reviewed his Foundation’s efforts to promote Arabic learning in South Africa. The CEO also discussed Awqaf South Africa’s activities in the fields of Awqaf and investment for the advancement of communities.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, and Dr. Hani Al-Balawi, Expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Xi’an International Studies University, in the People’s Republic of China, signed a memorandum of understanding to establish joint cooperation in promoting civilizational and cultural dialogue, supporting Arabic language teaching in China and Chinese language teaching in Arab universities, fostering youth exchange and understanding, and preserving and valuing Islamic Arab heritage in China. The agreement was signed today, Thursday, 27 November 2025, via videoconference by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Wu Yao Wu, Rector of Xi’an University.

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik expressed his pleasure in cooperating with Xi’an University as a distinguished academic institution, noting that ICESCO attaches great importance to collaboration with leading universities within and beyond the Islamic world for its role in advancing knowledge, innovation, and creativity.

Additionally, Dr. AlMalik praised the relations between the Islamic world and China, stressing that they represent a model for international relations and civilizational dialogue among diverse cultures. He commended the initiatives launched by His Excellency President Xi Jinping to strengthen cooperation and dialogue among civilizations.

For his part, Dr. Wu Yao Wu highlighted ICESCO’s efforts in promoting mutual understanding among civilizations, supporting creativity and innovation, and safeguarding cultural heritage. He stated that cooperation between the Organization and the University will offer a new model of civilizational interaction and contribute to enhancing educational and cultural collaboration between the Islamic world and China.

The signing ceremony was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Osama Heikal, Head of Media and Communication Sector; Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Environment Sector; and Dr. Hani Albalawi, expert at the Center of Civilizational Dialogue, along with several academic leaders from Xi’an University.

The Council of Arab Information Ministers decided to grant the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) observer status in the Council. The decision was adopted during the Council’s 55th session, held on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo.

Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the League of Arab States, stated that the decision reflects the Council’s commitment to engaging with media stakeholders across the Arab and Islamic worlds and strengthening cooperation with organizations and bodies active in the media field. The aim is to exchange expertise and benefit from their expertise, plans, and programs in media and communication.

He added that the Council now includes 20 organizations and unions operating in various areas related to news reporting, content production, program development, audiovisual broadcasting, and the training of media professionals.