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    Category: News

    ICESCO Hosts 4th International Congress on Natural Products and Sustainable Development, with Participation from 47 Universities

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The 4th International Congress on “Natural Products and Sustainable Development” kicked off at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, on the morning of Thursday, 29 May 2025. The Congress is organized by the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), an affiliate of ICESCO, in partnership with Mohammed V University in Rabat and the Averroès Foundation for the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.

    This year’s edition, which is being held under the theme “Health, Nutrition, and Cosmetic Applications,” gathers participants from 47 universities across 27 countries, over the period spanning 29–31 May 2025. Its objectives include deepening scientific research in the field of natural products and promoting their applications in health, agriculture, nutrition, and cosmetics. It also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and exploration of the latest scientific practices and technologies in this vital field.

    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, inaugurated the event by delivering an opening address on behalf of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO. He reaffirmed the Organization’s steadfast commitment to supporting its Member States in formulating ambitious national policies grounded in the principles of sustainable development. He highlighted the diversity of ICESCO programs aimed at developing natural resources, valuing traditional knowledge, and promoting sustainable and equitable value chains, particularly in health and nutrition.

    Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for FUIW, described the Congress as a prominent international scientific platform that will feature 240 scientific presentations by researchers, experts, and university professors. These presentations will address various aspects of utilizing natural products to support sustainable development. He emphasized that the Congress’s concluding recommendations would have significant scientific and strategic impact.

    Following that, Dr. Mohamed El Ghachi, President of Mohammed V University, stated that natural products represent a multidimensional strategic engine that bridges the economic, social, agricultural, and environmental sectors. He noted that Morocco has made substantial progress in this field thanks to the crucial role played by universities and national academic institutes in supporting scientific research and valorizing natural resources.

    For his part, Dr. Mohammed Regragui, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at Mohammed V University in Rabat, spoke about the faculty’s leadership in scientific research on natural products. This has been achieved through advanced laboratories and international academic partnerships. He noted that the Congress provides an important platform for exchanging expertise and building fruitful scientific and professional collaboration.

    In the same context, Mr. Mohamed Beroui, Director of Climate and Biodiversity at the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and Dr. Hanae El Monfalouti, Vice President of the Averroès Foundation for the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation, both underscored the importance of the Congress in enhancing dialogue around the integration of natural products into sustainable development strategies, particularly in light of global health and environmental challenges. They further highlighted that the Congress agenda includes two roundtables, six thematic workshops, and three media sessions, in addition to the opportunities it offers for international scientific publication.

    ICESCO Director-General Arrives in Tajikistan for International Conference on Glacier Preservation

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), arrived in Dushanbe, the capital of the Republic of Tajikistan, on Thursday, 29 May 2025, to take part in the International Conference on Glacier Preservation. The event is organized by Tajikistan in partnership with UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

    The two-day conference, which will kick off today, will see the participation of a number of senior officials, heads of international organizations, climate action leaders, and environmental experts, with the aim of highlighting the economic and environmental importance of glaciers and discussing the adoption of an integrated international approach to mitigate the negative effects of melting ice on water and food security.

    Ahead of the official sessions, a series of events took place, attended by Dr. Salim AlMalik, Ms. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, and Ms. Dilrabo Mansuri, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, along with several ministers of environment and water from various countries. The events included an exhibition showcasing traditional Tajik crafts, followed by an official dinner featuring folk performances by groups from different regions of Tajikistan, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity.

    Dr. AlMalik’s participation in the conference is part of ICESCO’s ongoing commitment to promoting international solidarity in the face of climate change and supporting scientific efforts and sustainable environmental practices across the Islamic world to help safeguard water and food security.

    Dr. AlMalik will be accompanied by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, and Dr. Abdulhakeem Al Senan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.

    ICESCO Director-General Congratulates Ould Tah on AfDB Presidency

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulated Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on his election as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

    Dr. AlMalik stated that Dr. Ould Tah was elected from among four candidates, winning 76% of the votes—a reflection of his prominent international economic status. He noted that this election marks another major achievement in his distinguished financial and economic career, adding to his leadership roles as former Minister of Economic Affairs and Development in Mauritania and former Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

    Dr. AlMalik extended his best wishes to Dr. Sidi Ould Tah in leading the African Development Bank.

    Grand Ceremony Marks Celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World

    Posted on by abdelmohcine.benhlal

    The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized, on Tuesday, May 26, 2025, a major ceremony on the occasion of the celebration of Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, along with a number of dignitaries, ambassadors, and Ministers of Culture of ICESCO Member States.

    The ceremony opened with a field tour of the traditional handicrafts areas in the historical city of Samarkand, where guests were introduced to ancient heritage industries, notably plant-based papermaking, high-end traditional handmade knives, and decorative pottery—all reflecting the authenticity of the city’s crafts.

    Following the tour, H.E. Minister Nazarbekov accompanied the visiting delegation to a dinner reception, followed by an art show featuring a host of local artists and musicians. The show included traditional dances performed to the tune of folk music and highlighted the colorful and intricate designs of Samarkand’s traditional garments.

    In a special feature, the Uzbek Minister of Culture presented one of his famous songs, a performance received with admiration by the attendees. Prior to assuming his ministerial position, Mr. Nazarbekov was one of the country’s renowned singers.

    The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display that lit up the sky of the historic city. The spectacle brought together locals and visitors alike in a celebration aimed at highlighting Samarkand’s civilizational status as a cultural and historical hub throughout history.

    The celebration of Samarkand is part of ICESCO’s Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, which aims to promote cities known for their rich cultural and civilizational heritage. It also seeks to enhance these cities’ presence on the global cultural scene by offering a platform for cultural and artistic exchange among peoples and an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Muslim cities in advancing human civilization.

    ICESCO Director-General Visits Imam al-Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, Announces International Scientific Conference on Musnad Sahih of Imam al-Bukhari

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, concluded his visit to Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan, with a tour of the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, which is under construction at the initiative of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and due to be inaugurated soon.

    Dr. AlMalik was received by Mr. Shafusil Ziyadov, Director of the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, who took him on a tour of the complex, providing detailed explanations about its various sections and departments, as well as its objectives in preserving the heritage of Imam al-Bukhari and employing the latest technologies in this regard.

    Dr. AlMalik commended the Uzbek authorities’ great interest in the unique heritage of Imam al-Bukhari, noting that Imam al-Bukhari played a major role and made great efforts in preserving and authenticating the Prophet’s Hadith and Sunnah.

    During his visit, accompanied by Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization, ICESCO Director-General added that the Organization has a research chair at the Imam al-Bukhari Academy and has finalized the arrangements for organizing the international scientific conference “Jami‘ al-Musnad al-Sahih li’l-Imam al-Bukhari,” due to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

    Constructed in Uzbek architectural style, the Imam al-Bukhari Complex includes a mosque that can accommodate about 10,000 worshippers, a museum, halls to display the original copy of Sahih al-Bukhari, and a collection of books by the most prominent imams of hadith.

    ICESCO Participates in International Conference on Combating Islamophobia held in Azerbaijan

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the international scientific conference entitled “Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Dismantling Stereotypes”, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 26–27 May 2025. The event brought together more than 200 prominent figures, including leading experts, academics, and decision-makers from around the world.

    The conference was marked by significant intellectual momentum, featuring the presentation of over 70 scientific papers that addressed the developments of Islamophobia and its current political, cultural, and social ramifications. It also proposed practical approaches to confronting the phenomenon. The sessions stood out for their diversity in themes and the richness of the discussions, reflecting a growing international awareness of the need to tackle this issue at its conceptual roots.

    The conference was officially opened with a speech by H.E. the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, delivered on his behalf by his Assistant for Foreign Affairs. The opening remarks presented a comprehensive strategic vision in approaching the challenges posed by hostility toward Muslims, emphasizing the need to strengthen international cooperation and intensify joint efforts to combat hate speech and counter harmful stereotypes, all with the aim of fostering values of coexistence and mutual understanding among peoples.

    ICESCO was represented at this international event by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards. In his address, Ambassador Fathalrahman expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his continuous support of the Organization, stressing that countering Islamophobia requires international coordination and the adoption of awareness initiatives that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries. Meanwhile, Mr. Shili presented a specialized briefing on the legal dimensions of discrimination against Muslims, highlighting mechanisms for addressing it within legislative frameworks grounded in the principles of equity and justice.

    The conference concluded with the adoption of a final declaration, recommending the term “anti-Muslim discrimination” as a more precise and fair alternative to the term “Islamophobia”—a direction that ICESCO has been among the first organizations to advocate for, out of a commitment to conceptual clarity and terminological precision in describing this form of hatred and discrimination.

    This conference was organized within the framework of a strategic partnership that brought together ICESCO and several major international institutions engaged in interfaith and intercultural dialogue, including the G20 Interfaith Forum, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, and the Muslim Council of Elders, in addition to notable European and Islamic bodies. This collaboration gave the event a global reach and constituted a human message that transcends geographical and religious boundaries.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets with Several Cultural Affairs Officials in the Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of bilateral meetings with a host of senior officials of cultural affairs in ICESCO Member States and international heritage institutions, on the sidelines of the launch of the Celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital of the Islamic World.

    The bilateral meetings were held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Samarkand, in the presence of a number of ICESCO’s heads of sectors and centers and experts, and explored ways to promote cooperation with the Organization’s partners and Member States.

    During the meetings, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to develop these cooperation relations by designing programs and activities that meet the national priorities and needs of these countries and have the desired impact, especially in the field of heritage preservation and promotion.

    Dr. AlMalik held the first meeting with Mr. Andrei Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, and Mr. Lenar Khakimzyanov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, and together they discussed the arrangements for celebrating Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026. The two parties also discussed the activity programme to be implemented during the year-long celebration, stressing the importance of capitalizing on the Celebration’s activities and initiatives to highlight the rich and diverse heritage of Kazan and its historical role as a bridge between cultures and civilizations.

    During the second meeting, ICESCO Director-General met with Ms. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, where they discussed various strategic initiatives in the field of preserving and promoting cultural heritage in the Islamic world, especially in the Turkic region. The meeting also discussed the possibility of launching a comprehensive scientific project to establish a “methodological guidebook for archaeological restoration experts,” with the aim of standardizing and improving practices in preserving cultural sites in the Member States. The two parties agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding in this context.

    The Director-General also met with Mr. Davlat Safarzoda, Deputy Minister of Culture of Tajikistan, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the field of safeguarding cultural heritage, through the development of training programs in the fields of restoration and maintenance of cultural monuments for the benefit of Tajik specialists, as well as cooperation in the translation and reprinting of cultural historical books and manuscripts, with the aim of safeguarding literary heritage.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets Uzbek Minister of Culture in Samarkand

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the fields of education, science, and culture, within the framework of celebrating Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2025.

    Dr. AlMalik opened the meeting, held on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, by affirming ICESCO’s commitment to mobilizing all its expertise and capabilities to ensure that the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World reflects its historical stature and longstanding civilizational role. He further emphasized its legacy as a cradle for many leading scholars of the Islamic world throughout various historical eras.

    Additionally, Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO has developed an exceptional program featuring the implementation and launch of numerous initiatives and activities aimed at enhancing Samarkand’s cultural capital and promoting its global standing as a cultural destination.

    For his part, Mr. Nazarbekov expressed his delight with Samarkand’s selection as part of ICESCO’s Capitals of Culture program, noting that the Ministry will work to ensure the success of the celebration and leverage it to elevate the city’s international profile.

    In attendance from ICESCO were Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Calligraphy and Manuscript Center; and Dr. Bilel Chebbi, Expert at the Heritage Center.

    Samarkand Launched as Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2025 at International Conference

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Uzbek Ministry of Culture, launched on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, during an international conference held under the theme: Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Expressions in the Islamic World: Calligraphy, Music, Poetry, and Solidarity. The event took place in Samarkand in the presence of several Ministers of Culture from the Islamic world, representatives of relevant international organizations and institutions, the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE, and members of the diplomatic corps.

    The celebration began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the screening of a documentary film produced by ICESCO to mark the occasion. In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that Samarkand’s history and rich heritage rightfully earn it the title of City of Scholarly Civilization, as its legacy reflects a synthesis of theoretical and applied sciences. From this city emerged both Sahih al-Bukhari and the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Observatory, as well as the creative legacies of Al-Biruni, Al-Khwarizmi, and Ibn Sina.

    Dr. AlMalik praised the new headquarters of the Center of Islamic Civilization, currently under construction in the capital, Tashkent—an initiative led by His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He added that the Uzbek President’s vision to preserve identity and heritage aligns with ICESCO’s strategic orientations, resulting in numerous major initiatives and projects, including the celebration of Samarkand as Capital of Culture, the inscription of 19 cultural properties on ICESCO’s heritage list, and the organization of international conferences highlighting prominent figures of Islamic civilization.

    Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s role in protecting human heritage and thanked the Director-General for including Samarkand in the Organization’s Capitals of Culture Program. He also announced the establishment of an ICESCO Chair at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the inauguration of the ICESCO Manuscripts Center in Samarkand.

    Mr. Nazarbekov highlighted the importance of the arts, poetry, literature, and music in preserving heritage and defending identity and values, especially in the face of globalization and its negative impacts, affirming that the culture of the Islamic world offers a trusted path to save humanity from these dangers.

    In a welcoming address, Mr. Adiz Boboev, Governor of Samarkand, affirmed that the city has always been—and continues to be—a hub of Islamic World thought and a destination for thinkers from around the world. He noted the upcoming reopening of the Imam Bukhari Center after its renovation, which has become an international platform for promoting Islamic world heritage.

    During the opening ceremony, Dr. AlMalik presented a commemorative flag documenting the celebration of Samarkand as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World to the Uzbek Minister of Culture. This was followed by addresses from the heads of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, the UAE, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as well as the Ministers of Culture from Jordan, Pakistan, and Senegal. They addressed the conference themes and stressed national efforts to preserve tangible and intangible heritage, promote cultural identity, and uphold the values of solidarity and peace.

    ICESCO Director-General Visits Heritage and Scientific Monuments in Samarkand

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    At the Launch of Its Celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited a number of heritage and scientific monuments in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan, on Monday, 26 May 2025, together with Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, and a number of culture ministers and officials from ICESCO Member States.

    This visit is part of Dr. AlMalik’s trip to the Republic of Uzbekistan, where he is leading a high-level ICESCO delegation to attend the launch ceremony of the celebration of Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, scheduled to be held on 27 May 2025, as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Program.

    ICESCO Director-General began his tour by visiting the Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the major and most accurate observatories worldwide, built in the 15th century AD. Dr. AlMalik also visited the “Shah-i-Zinda” necropolis, which houses the remains of the noble companion Qutham ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and a number of historical figures and leaders, including Prince Tamerlane, the conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire, whose tomb is an architectural masterpiece attributed to the Timurid era.

    The tour also included the ancient Bibi Khanum Mosque, which was the largest mosque in Central Asia at the time of its construction in 1399 AD, in addition to the central Registan Square, the heart of the old city of Samarkand and one of the major historical monuments in Uzbekistan.

    At the end of his tour, Dr. AlMalik commended the great attention the Uzbek authorities give to heritage and archaeological sites, expressing ICESCO’s pride in these efforts, which have become a model to emulate in preserving and valorizing the Islamic world’s heritage.