Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), through its Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, organized a workshop entitled “Pedagogy First: Integrating AI-Powered Tools into Arabic Language Teaching,” in cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in the Kingdom of Morocco. This initiative is part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to develop Arabic language education and strengthen its presence in international educational contexts.

The workshop, held at the Faculty of Literature and Humanities in the city of Beni Mellal on Saturday, 14 February 2026, kicked off with an address delivered by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. In his remarks, he outlined the Organization’s strategic vision for advancing Arabic language teaching, emphasizing the importance of adopting a pedagogical approach in leveraging artificial intelligence technologies while preserving the central role of the teacher and maintaining a balance between technological innovation and sound pedagogical foundations.

For his part, Dr. Mhamed Alaoui, Director of the University Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, underscored the importance of such scientific initiatives in developing the mechanisms of Arabic language teaching and enhancing its openness to technological advancements. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Head of the Language Training Division at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.

Subsequently, Dr. Attia Youseif, Senior Lecturer at Indiana University Bloomington (USA), delivered a presentation showcasing practical models for employing artificial intelligence tools in teaching Arabic. He also guided participants in redesigning learning activities according to clear pedagogical principles, while taking into account the accuracy of linguistic outputs, academic integrity, and cultural appropriateness.

The workshop also focused on integrating artificial intelligence tools based on learning objectives and linguistic competencies, with practical applications of tools such as Gemini and customized GPT models for teaching Arabic.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the globally renowned Tunisian artist Lotfi Bouchnak on Monday, February 16, 2026, via videoconference, as part of the third session of its project “Artists of the World, Guests of ICESCO” within the framework of the forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” which aims to contribute to the use of creativity to promote intercultural dialogue, enrich civilizational debate, and affirm the status of art as a universal language for peace and coexistence.

During the opening of the dialogue session, which was moderated by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director General of ICESCO for the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, praised Lotfi Bouchnak, emphasizing that his creativity emerged in Tunisia to shine all over the world. He added that the Tunisian artist is known for his steadfast positions on major issues, describing him as “the singular in the plural,” who learned from the great artists of the Arab world to establish a school of his own uniting the East and the West.

In his speech, Bouchnak reviewed his musical education and his memorization of the works of dozens of Arab and international musicians before beginning his artistic production, highlighting the need for the poet and musician to work in harmony for the text to complement the melody. Bouchnak also commended the intelligence of the Arab audience and its ability to distinguish between the good and the bad, calling for the promotion of culture in its broadest sense, given its importance to the economies of ICESCO Member States.

For his part, Dr. Omar Halli noted the great popularity enjoyed by Bouchnak, attributing this to his simplicity and closeness to the public. In the same context, Dr. Idham Mohamed Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscript Center, pointed out that Bouchnak is one of the prominent figures who contributed to shaping Arab cultural identity in the modern era.

The panel discussion was attended by a number of the Organization’s leaders and experts, as well as the great Moroccan artist Samira El Kadri.

At an event celebrating poetry as humanity’s second language, the historic Chellah site in Rabat hosted a poetry evening organized by the Book Club Le Matin to present and read the poetry collection “Khamīsiyyāt” by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The event took place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, in the presence of several ambassadors accredited to Morocco, along with poets and critics from the Arab world, and cultural figures.

Opening the meeting, held under the theme “Poetry as a Space for Wisdom and Dialogue,” Mohammed Haitami, Director-General of the Moroccan media group Le Matin, delivered remarks highlighting the diverse professional paths of Dr. AlMalik. He noted that hosting such a guest is part of honoring prominent Arab and international figures in the fields of literature and thought.

The evening continued with a presentation by Moroccan media professional Widad Benmoussa, who introduced “Khamīsiyyāt” as a work built upon a temporal commitment, transforming writing into a weekly rendezvous with the self and the world. She highlighted the collection’s diverse poems, distinguished by refined language that draws its strength from the rich traditions of Arabic poetry.

In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik outlined his vision of poetry as a bridge of values, a domain that deepens wisdom, and a means of bringing cultures closer together. He explained that when words are written with awareness and spoken with sincerity, their influence expands and takes root in people’s consciousness.

Dr. AlMalik shared details of his experience, saying that he sought to gather his poetry in “a single vessel” combining four elements: wisdom, Arabic calligraphy, fine art, and poetic verse. He recalled his early beginnings with poetry writing in primary school, when he composed his first poems, and how he later returned to writing despite the demands of studying medicine before opening up to publishing his poems in Saudi and Arab newspapers and continuing his writing project with a steady rhythm.

He noted that he maintained the weekly writing of “Khamīsiyyāt” for 11 consecutive years, producing five-line poems marked by a density of meaning, capturing moments of human reflection and questions of identity and values. He also addressed the act of composing poetry in the age of artificial intelligence, underscoring that lived experience is the substance that grants a poem its uniqueness.

He added that he did not adhere to traditional critical frameworks such as unity of theme, verse, or poem, explaining that the initial spark of his text may stem from an event that attracts attention, a season of guidance and tranquility, or a human behavior oscillating between the admirable and the flawed, prompting either praise or critique. He noted that a single “Khamīsiyyah” may contain multiple ideas, shifting it from the logic of “unity of the poem” to the “unity of feeling.”

Dr. AlMalik then recited selected pieces from “Khamīsiyyāt,” which ranged across themes of faith, wisdom, ethics, and praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His reading received strong engagement and appreciation from the audience. The evening concluded with an open discussion exploring the collection from various angles, after which Dr. AlMalik signed copies of his works and presented them to the attendees.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation and in cooperation with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, implemented the fifth stop of the “Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud International Program for Language Training: Arabic Language in Central Asia.” The event was organized in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 10 to 12 February 2026.

The program kicked off with an official reception at the University, which included a tour of its departments and an introduction to its academic history. This was followed by an expanded meeting to explore prospects for cooperation in training and scientific research related to teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Saad Nasir Abdullah Abuhaimed, representatives of the partner foundation, and the University’s leadership.

Subsequently, the scheduled training workshops began, with the participation of more than 40 trainees, including faculty members and postgraduate students. Four specialized workshops were delivered by Dr. Adham Hamwiya, Head of the Language Development Section at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. The sessions focused on the latest approaches adopted in teaching Arabic, ways to enhance classroom practices, and discussions on challenges associated with teaching Arabic in the Uzbek context.

The program concluded with a closing session dedicated to reviewing outcomes, presenting the final report and recommendations, and awarding certificates of completion to participants.

It is worth noting that the program was launched in September 2025, with previous stops held in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bashkortostan, and Uzbekistan. The initiative will conclude in Azerbaijan, reflecting a vision grounded in partnership, integration, and the expansion of language training impact across the region.