Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted Brazilian artist and academic Dr. Sandra Rey as part of the fifth session of its “World Artists, Guests of ICESCO” project, held within the “Culture for Rethinking the World” Forum. The initiative seeks to harness creativity to strengthen intercultural dialogue, enrich civilizational debate, and reaffirm the role of art as a language of peace and coexistence.

During the opening of the session, moderated by artist, composer, and university professor Dr. Frank Pecquet on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Dr. Mohammed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, underscored that the forum provides a platform for civilizational and cultural dialogue and for promoting critical thinking, while highlighting contemporary transformations in artistic creativity in the age of artificial intelligence.

In her address, Dr. Rey presented a series of works and exhibitions inspired by nature, emphasizing the strong relationship between landscape art, digital technologies, and memory. She explained how various visual mechanisms are employed, notably photography, painting, video, and digital creation, to foster critical reflection among viewers on the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Dr. Rey also stressed the importance of reimagining humanity’s relationship with its environment, pointing to the role of art in raising awareness of environmental protection issues and the need to leverage education to develop sustainable skills in this field.

For his part, Dr. Pecquet addressed the philosophical and aesthetic dimensions of the creative process. Dr. Zoubeida Boukhari, International Consultant in Culture, Education, and Environmental Communication, highlighted the role of women creators and thinkers in advancing contemporary cultural dialogue. Dr. Amin Hammami, ICESCO external expert in digital creativity and digital culture, spoke about the interconnection between sound creation, imagery, and interactive technologies, while Ms. Zineb Bougrine, expert in the Organization’s Culture Sector, discussed the influence of the artist’s environment on creative expression.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting on Thursday, 21 May 2026, with Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement at the University of Cambridge, to discuss mechanisms for conducting a case study documenting ICESCO’s experience as an innovative organization in its fields of expertise, and to highlight the institutional development and restructuring it has undergone in recent years.

During the meeting, which was held via videoconference, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to develop its mechanisms and action plans to address current difficulties, anticipate future challenges, and capitalize on the opportunities offered by modern technologies to consolidate best practices, noting the recent developments and restructuring within ICESCO’s sectors, departments, and centers, which have enabled the Organization to attract talented professionals, hone the skills of young people, and integrate women into leadership positions, in line with the Organization’s strategic vision of making a tangible impact.

The Director-General stressed the importance of developing strong partnerships with international universities to promote academic studies, scientific research, and the dissemination of knowledge, highlighting the importance of employing innovative working mechanisms in implementing programs for cultural preservation, the restoration of heritage sites, and other projects in the fields of space sciences and girls’ education.

For his part, Prof. Munir emphasized the importance of setting priorities and objectives for conducting a case study on ICESCO’s success story as an innovative organization in its fields of action, and its role in transforming its approaches as an international organization, praising its contributions in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication. He also affirmed the readiness of a technical team from the university to visit the Organization in the near future.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector; and Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector and Director of the Translation and Publishing Center.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, a delegation from the Royal Academy of Management of the Sultanate of Oman, comprising 30 participants. The visit aimed to familiarize the delegation with ICESCO’s flagship projects and programs within the framework of strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange between ICESCO and Omani institutions, and consolidating partnerships in areas of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik delivered a presentation on the Organization’s institutional journey since its establishment, highlighting key transformative milestones, as well as its programs and initiatives in education, science, culture, communication, and media. He also reviewed a number of projects implemented across Member States that have generated tangible impact at the knowledge, development, and institutional levels. He further noted the international certifications and accreditations obtained by ICESCO, reflecting the advancement of its institutional performance and its leading standing.

The Director-General expressed ICESCO’s pride in its strong partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, which has resulted in the organization of several joint activities, programs, and conferences. He pointed out that the Sultan Qaboos Library, recently inaugurated at ICESCO’s headquarters with generous support from the Sultanate, stands as a model of this cultural and knowledge-based cooperation.

Dr. AlMalik also outlined ICESCO’s vision for civilizational upbringing, which seeks to instill the values of the Islamic world among youth and encourage informed openness to other cultures. He highlighted the Organization’s efforts in building the leadership and creative capacities of youth and women through specialized training programs in technology and innovation.

Following the meeting, Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO, took the Omani delegation on an introductory tour of the Organization’s facilities. The tour included a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Library, during which the delegation was briefed on its modern facilities, rare books and documents, as well as its knowledge and technological components, and its role in preserving documentary heritage and making it accessible to researchers and interested audiences.

The delegation also visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, during which they explored the scientific and interactive content that employs the latest digital technologies to present the Prophet’s biography and highlight aspects of Islamic civilization.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Newglobe Education Foundation, held the third session of the High-Level Dialogue on the Transformation of Education Systems under the theme “Advancing Basic Learning and Transforming Primary and Secondary Education Systems through Inclusivity, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence.” The dialogue aimed to exchange experiences regarding the opportunities and challenges associated with the education transformation process and to explore ways to promote international partnerships in this field. Ministers representing 16 countries, as well as officials from international organizations and institutions, participated in the session.

During the dialogue, which took place on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, in London, Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector and Director of the ICESCO Translation and Publication Center, highlighted the Organization’s ongoing efforts to advance girls’ education and promote green education in its Member States, notably ICESCO’s project to help girls who dropped out of school return to education in Yemen, and the ICESCO Global Green Education Progress Tracker, developed in collaboration with UNESCO.

Dr. Albanyan emphasized the event’s role in promoting knowledge exchange and developing international partnerships to leverage modern technology and innovation to transform education and enhance the inclusivity of educational services in the Islamic world and beyond.

ICESCO Education Sector experts Mr. Waqas Afridi and Ms. Faizah Alaoui also delivered a presentation on the Organization’s areas of action, programs, projects, and objectives.

The event featured a session on simplifying the use of artificial intelligence applications in education systems, as well as panel discussions addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the transformation of education and ways to integrate the most vulnerable groups into society. Participants also shared success stories from their countries and discussed ways to promote best practices in integrating social and cultural values into education systems.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), through its Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, held the third International Conference on Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers, in partnership with the École Normale Supérieure of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University and the Moroccan Association in Service of the Arabic Language, on 19 and 20 May 2026 in Tetouan, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers: Issues and Experiences.” The conference brought together more than 50 researchers and experts representing 16 countries.

The conference addressed the rapid transformations taking place in the global education sector, with a focus on the growing international interest in advancing the teaching of Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence technologies to modernize curricula, improve pedagogical practices, and enhance the quality of learning in multilingual and multicultural educational environments.

ICESCO was represented at the conference by Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the ICESCO Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, who emphasized during the Organization’s address in the opening session that artificial intelligence constitutes a strategic lever for developing the teaching of Arabic, provided it is employed within a balanced educational vision that takes ethical and human dimensions into account and is grounded in rigorous scientific research and successful field experiences.

He added that ICESCO remains committed to supporting international academic initiatives aimed at advancing the teaching of Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and strengthening cooperation among universities, research centers, and international organizations, thereby contributing to expanding the reach of the Arabic language and consolidating its presence in the global digital space.

In the same respect, Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Head of the Language Training Department at ICESCO’s Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, chaired the first scientific session, which was devoted to presenting international experiences in the use of artificial intelligence in teaching Arabic and discussing prospects for developing curricula and smart digital resources.

The conference concluded with a set of scientific and strategic recommendations, emphasizing the importance of evaluating digital educational platforms, expanding the use of smart applications in teaching Arabic, and developing educational policies better equipped to keep pace with technological transformations.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the Forum “The Golden Horde as a Model of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture, and Identity,” held on 19-20 May 2026 in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, by the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The event saw the presence of His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and brought together 350 participants from 20 countries and several international organizations.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Republic expressed his country’s pride in belonging to the Golden Horde civilization, describing it as a historically and culturally significant legacy in both the natural and legal spheres, the influence of which is still evident in the contemporary world. He emphasized that commemorating the past is not merely a symbolic act of remembrance, but rather a genuine pathway to understanding the present and building the future.

ICESCO was represented at the Forum by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, who delivered an insightful presentation on the Organization’s vision for the preservation of civilizational memory and the revival of historical consciousness, as the cornerstone of understanding the present and anticipating the future. He affirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at reviving the glorious pages of Islamic history and consolidating its achievements in strengthening national and collective identity.

Moreover, Ambassador Fathalrahman highlighted several distinctive features of the Golden Horde civilization, notably its vast territory and rich ethnic and cultural diversity, which Kazakhstan has successfully managed through a coherent civilizational model. He also emphasized the role of individual leadership in harnessing and managing national resources, as well as the pioneering role of this civilization in establishing values of humane treatment, particularly regarding the status of women.

The Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue also reviewed the existing cooperation between ICESCO and the Republic of Kazakhstan, noting the selection of Turkestan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2027 and Astana’s hosting, early next year, of the meeting of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Committee, as two indicators of the depth of the partnership between the two parties in the areas of culture, heritage, and intercultural dialogue.

Following his participation in the Forum, Ambassador Fathalrahman accepted an invitation extended by the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue in Astana. During his visit, he met Mr. Marat Kalizhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center, to discuss the implementation of the Action Plan emanating from the partnership agreement recently signed between ICESCO and the Center, stressing the importance of identifying joint programs to be implemented in 2027.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Fafré Camara, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the Kingdom of Morocco, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, to discuss mechanisms for cooperation between ICESCO and Mali in the restoration of the historic Timbuktu manuscripts.

During the meeting, held at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting its Member States’ efforts to showcase the civilization of the Islamic world and enrich cultural heritage through the implementation of initiatives, programs, and projects with tangible impact, tailored to the specific needs of each country.

Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation with international organizations and cultural institutions in Mali and other African countries, with a view to harnessing culture as a means to achieve stability and promote sustainable peace.

For his part, Ambassador Camara congratulated Dr. AlMalik on his election as Director-General of ICESCO for a new term, wishing him continued success in his mission. He also delivered to the Director-General a message from His Excellency President Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition and Head of State of the Republic of Mali. Ambassador Camara commended ICESCO’s sustained efforts to safeguard African and Islamic heritage and affirmed Mali’s willingness to cooperate with the Organization in implementing the initiative to restore the historic Timbuktu manuscripts.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General; Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General; and Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the British Pearson Education signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), on the sidelines of the 2026 Education World Forum, to strengthen ways and mechanisms of cooperation in improving teaching methods and developing a school assessment guide.

The MoU was signed on Monday, 18 May 2026, in London, by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector and Head of the Translation and Publishing Center at ICESCO, and Ms. Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of Pearson Education. On this occasion, Dr. Albanyan affirmed that this partnership represents an important step towards developing education systems within and beyond the countries of the Islamic world, through strengthening teachers’ skills, integrating technology and artificial intelligence into education in the Organization’s Member States, and improving assessment systems.

For her part, Ms. Monk highlighted the importance of harnessing education and modern technologies to support educational initiatives and exchange international expertise to keep pace with the developments of the era and find sustainable solutions to the challenges of the field.

The provisions of the MoU include cooperation in developing the “ICESCO-Pearson Guide for School Assessment Standards” to standardize school assessment across the countries of the Islamic world, and to implement activities and projects in several fields, foremost among them strengthening foundational education for all, developing tools to assess reading, writing, and numeracy skills, as well as teaching methods, developing school curricula, in addition to providing training opportunities for teachers, and harnessing modern technologies in professional development and distance learning platforms, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and information and data management.

The signing ceremony of the MoU was attended by Mr. Waqas Afridi and Ms. Faizah Alaoui, experts at the Education Sector.