The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation have extended the deadline for submitting nominations for the “ICESCO-AZERBAIJAN Natavan Heritage Excellence Award” until 30 November 2025.
The Award, launched jointly earlier this year, aims to honor outstanding initiatives in the preservation, safeguarding, and management of tangible cultural heritage. It also encourages innovative approaches that contribute to protecting cultural identity and enhancing community engagement.
The total value of the Award is USD 130,000, distributed across two categories:
Project Category: USD 100,000
Individual Category: USD 30,000
Nominations must be submitted via email to heritage@icesco.org using the official forms available on ICESCO’s Heritage Portal.
For eligibility criteria, timeline, and application procedures, please visit: https://icesco.org/s80u
This extension seeks to provide additional time for institutions, experts, and specialists across the Islamic world to complete and submit their nomination files.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, with Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored avenues of cooperation across several areas of shared interest.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in the study and promotion of the noble Prophetic Biography, in line with the contents of the Royal Message delivered by Minister Toufiq, which underscores the importance of highlighting the civilizational and human values derived from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The two parties also considered the possibility of organizing an international conference on the Prophetic Biography from a civilizational perspective, with the participation of leading scholars and researchers from across the Islamic world.
The meeting further addressed the role of waqf in community development, emphasizing the need to preserve and enhance its status. Both sides commended Morocco’s pioneering experience in waqf management and investment, and agreed to foster cooperation between ICESCO and the Moroccan Ministry of Endowments in this field, in support of joint efforts to advance sustainable development in the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, on Monday, 27 October 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored avenues of cooperation between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco, reviewed key programs and initiatives implemented by the Organization within its areas of competence, and discussed prospects for joint action.
Dr. AlMalik commended Morocco’s leading role in supporting ICESCO as the host country, and the facilities it provides that enable the Organization to fulfill its mission and strengthen its presence at both regional and international levels.
For his part, Mr. Berrada reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry and the Moroccan National Commission to continue close cooperation with ICESCO and support its efforts in implementing impactful programs and projects that promote sustainable development in Member States and enhance their educational, scientific, and cultural capacities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to proceed with the implementation of several joint programs and initiatives in the upcoming phase, further strengthening the fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Morocco.
It is worth noting that ICESCO has implemented approximately 370 activities in Morocco over the past five years in the fields of education, science, environment, culture, humanities, civilizational dialogue, and strategic foresight. Several of these activities were held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Organization also established five academic chairs at leading Moroccan universities and signed over 20 cooperation agreements with relevant Moroccan ministries and institutions.
The city of Kampala, Uganda, witnessed the opening of the International Conference on “Food Systems Transformation for Climate Action,” organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) over the period spanning 28-30 October 2025. The event was held in cooperation with the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH), through its Center for Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER), and Makerere University in Uganda. The conference aimed to develop practical pathways toward building sustainable food systems that are resilient to climate change in Africa.
During the opening session, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor to ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, affirmed in his address, delivered via videoconference, the Organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among Member States in science, technology, and innovation. He highlighted ICESCO’s pioneering initiatives to integrate digital, space, and green technologies into agricultural transformation.
For his part, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security and enhance resilience, underscoring the critical role of science, innovation, and higher education in achieving these goals. Dr. Rosie Agoi, Secretary-General of the Ugandan National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, explained that organizing this event falls within a national and regional orientation to build capacities, exchange expertise, and accelerate the integration of digital and green solutions into agricultural value chains.
The conference agenda includes sessions addressing global and regional perspectives on food security and climate change adaptation, in addition to discussions on digital agriculture and private-sector innovations to accelerate transformation in the agriculture and food sectors of the OIC Member States.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Branly Martial Oupolo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Gabon to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss mechanisms for implementing joint projects and programs in education, science, and culture, and for promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and dialogue.
During the meeting, held on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the importance of building on the outcomes of his meeting with H.E General Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, in January 2024 in Libreville, by translating understandings into impactful programs. Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s readiness to employ its experts to train educational and cultural personnel in Gabon and to support its institutions in curriculum development and skills enhancement.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik outlined to Ambassador Oupolo a number of initiatives ICESCO has carried out in Gabon, including a project for literacy and economic empowerment of girls and women, and programs for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. He noted that ICESCO is exploring, in cooperation with Gabonese authorities, the possibility of establishing a regional office in Libreville and of hosting one of ICESCO’s Executive Council sessions in the Gabonese capital.
For his part, the Gabonese Ambassador reiterated his country’s willingness to expand cooperation with ICESCO and launch joint initiatives and programs. He stressed the importance of continuous communication between the Organization and Gabon’s National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture to coordinate priorities and develop an implementation plan, particularly for programs aimed at safeguarding heritage and cultural identity, and integrating technology and artificial intelligence applications into the educational process.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences; and Mr. Alioune Ndiaye, Head of the Peace Division in the Social and Human Sciences Sector.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the first regional training conference on Greening Education for Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries on 20–21 October 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme Learning for the Earth. The event was attended by over 30 senior officials from the Ministries of Education of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
In her opening address, Ms. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, stated that the Organization continues to advance the Greening Education agenda in collaboration with Member States and regional and international partners. She emphasized that a set of Green Education activities has been integrated into the Education Sector Action Plan 2026–2030 for implementation across ICESCO Member States.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Science and Education in Azerbaijan, expressed his gratitude to ICESCO for supporting the Greening Education pathway, noting his ministry’s role in addressing the climate crisis within the framework of Azerbaijan 2030, which prioritizes building a clean environment and promoting green growth.
Ms. Maryam Gafar-Zada, Assistant Director of the ICESCO Baku Regional Office, highlighted that the climate crisis is a major threat to nature, the economy, and societies, necessitating the restructuring of educational approaches for future generations. She stressed that traditional lessons are no longer sufficient and that curricula must include topics on environmental protection, sustainable lifestyles, and climate adaptation skills as core components.
The Conference also featured a session chaired by Ms. Haddy Jatou Sey, with contributions from Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Director of the Translation and Publication Center at ICESCO; Ms. Christine Ozden, Global Director, Climate Education at the University of Cambridge; and Mr. Waqas Afridi, Expert in the Education Sector. Presentations focused on the integration of the four pillars of ICESCO’s Greening Education Framework (curricula, teachers, schools, and community engagement) into national strategic plans to respond to climate challenges in the region.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received, on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, a delegation from the Moroccan-Italian Cooperation Association, composed of scientific figures and experts from civil society organizations, to examine means of cooperation in areas of shared interest.
During the meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s vision for strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and research centers within the Islamic world and beyond, emphasizing ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate with the entities represented by the delegation and its desire to expand joint work with Italy, which he had visited twice for this purpose.
Members of the delegation indicated that their visit to ICESCO aimed to reinforce cooperation with the Organization’s various sectors and to consolidate ties between Italian universities and universities affiliated with the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) under ICESCO. The two parties also discussed topics related to civilizational dialogue and the pursuit of combating all forms of hatred and racism through intensified efforts to reconcile perspectives, reduce misunderstandings, and develop communication mechanisms.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold joint meetings starting in May 2026 to implement shared cooperation programs.
Representing ICESCO at the meeting were Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General for FUIW.
The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted, on Friday, 24 October 2025, the graduation ceremony for the cohort of 2025 of the Executive Master in Counter-Terrorism Investigations Program (EMCTI).
The program is supervised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in Morocco, in partnership with Al Akhawayn University (Morocco), with the objective of building a network of counter-terrorism specialists across Africa.
The ceremony was attended by several ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, and presidents of Moroccan universities. A total of 22 students from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Somalia completed the requirements of this specialized program, which combines investigative methodologies in terrorism cases with international human rights standards.
In his opening address, delivered on behalf of ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Deputy Director-General Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa emphasized that preventing extremism and violence lies at the core of ICESCO’s mission. He noted that the Organization pursues an integrated approach based on promoting education, culture, science, and dialogue while addressing emerging threats stemming from the misuse of artificial intelligence, communication tools, and modern technologies to spread hatred, violence, and extremism.
The address also highlighted several key initiatives led by ICESCO in this field, notably the preparation of the Encyclopedia on Deconstructing Extremist Discourse in three volumes, developed in partnership with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in Morocco. Other initiatives include youth empowerment programs, dialogue platforms such as the Peace 360° initiative, as well as a series of conferences and capacity-building sessions across Member States, all aimed at strengthening social cohesion and safeguarding educational and cultural environments.
In his pre-recorded statement, Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, stressed that this specialization forms part of broader efforts to reinforce counter-terrorism capabilities in Africa. He emphasized that the support provided by Morocco, China, and Portugal reflects a tangible commitment to enabling graduates to acquire advanced expertise that combines criminal investigation with respect for human rights.
Meanwhile, Mr. Amine Aboussaid, Representative of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored that the growing threat of terrorism in Africa necessitates investment in human capital and the strengthening of regional cooperation.
Ms. Isabelle Valois, Ambassador of Canada to Morocco, highlighted her country’s contribution by sending 14 experts to share their expertise with participants.
For his part, the Representative of the Embassy of China in Morocco Mr. Mingming Chi called on all graduates to stay abreast of developments in this field after graduation and to contribute to enhancing institutional performance in their respective countries.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Yuyu Sutisna, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Morocco, on Thursday, 23 October 2025. The meeting explored prospects for expanding cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Indonesia in the fields of culture, science, and education.
Dr. AlMalik congratulated Ambassador Sutisna on his appointment and wished him success in his new duties. He reviewed ICESCO’s efforts in supporting its Member States and its initiatives in environmental protection, education, science, culture, and the Arabic language. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation with Indonesia in these areas and expressed the Organization’s willingness to support Indonesia in capacity-building, innovation, and cultural exchange.
For his part, Ambassador Sutisna thanked Dr. AlMalik for the warm welcome and commended ICESCO’s initiatives and its role in empowering youth and women in the Islamic world. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Organization.
The two parties agreed to develop a roadmap for future cooperation, building on the success of previous joint activities, notably the regional project “Language Immersion for Arabic Learners in Southeast Asia” and partnerships with Indonesian universities and scientific institutions to promote scientific research, raise environmental awareness, and enhance Arabic language education.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science & Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences; and Dr. Fahman Fathurrahman, Expert at the Science and Environment Sector.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has obtained the accreditation of the “ICESCO Journal of Arabic Language” by the Arab Impact Factor, a specialized index for Arabic-language journals that provides both quantitative and qualitative assessments to rank and classify journals based on their scientific merit. The evaluation criteria include the originality of research papers, the quality of editing and peer review systems, regularity of publication, citation frequency, and adherence to research ethics and academic publishing standards.
This accreditation, granted to the journal supervised by ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, marks an important first step toward meeting the requirements of scientific publishing in universities across the Arab and Islamic worlds. It also reflects the significance of the Arab Impact Factor in offering an evaluation environment that aligns with the uniqueness of the Arabic language and content.
The Arab Impact Factor aims to raise the quality of scientific publishing in Arabic, thereby enhancing the journal’s standing in the research community and encouraging scholars to continue producing scientific work in the Arabic language. This contributes to supporting the cultural and intellectual identity of the Arab and Islamic worlds, in accordance with objective criteria that are consistent with international standards.
On this occasion, the Editorial Board of the Journal renews its invitation to experts and specialists to submit their rigorous scientific studies for peer review and publication in upcoming issues, by registering via the link:
