Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science held the first coordination meeting of the “Hajj Routes to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Historical Mosques” Program. The meeting saw broad participation from approximately 40 ICESCO Member States, represented by ministries of cultural heritage, national commissions, and institutions responsible for mosques and historical monuments. The discussions focused on finalizing arrangements for the official launch of the program.

The meeting, held on Monday, 17 March 2025, via videoconferencing, commenced with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO. In his remarks, he emphasized that the program embodies the true spirit of Islam and reinforces Makkah’s status as a global symbol of fraternity and intercultural dialogue. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored that this meeting represents a significant step toward safeguarding and preserving the cultural and Islamic heritage passed down through the ages along these historical routes. He also highlighted the pivotal role of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center in this endeavor.

Dr. AlMalik explained that the program aims to strengthen the connection between past and present generations while promoting a comprehensive vision for sustainable cultural tourism. This will be achieved by developing tourist routes that link heritage sites across the Islamic world, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore various aspects of Islamic culture. Dr. AlMalik added that the program seeks to integrate modern technologies into these efforts by leveraging online platforms to support heritage routes, establishing digital museums, and developing marketing networks to enable local communities to benefit from these initiatives.

Following Dr. AlMalik’s address, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, moderated the meeting, which featured a presentation by Dr. Bilel Chebbi, an expert at ICESCO’s Heritage Center in the Islamic World. Dr. Chebbi’s presentation outlined the program’s objectives, significance, and impact on cultural tourism and the cultural economy. He also discussed the steps taken in classifying and inscribing sites and monuments, as well as the roles of national authorities in the program.

The meeting also included rich discussions among the attendees regarding the next steps for the implementation of the program and the initial proposals by national bodies and partners in this regard.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Jay Kimmelman, Co-Founder and CEO of NewGlobe Education, along with his accompanying delegation, to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in advancing education transformation and organizing future joint initiatives.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday 17 March 2025, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Mr. Kimmelman and his delegation to ICESCO, emphasizing that this meeting lays the foundation for an important strategic partnership that should be further enhanced to serve shared objectives.

He further highlighted NewGlobe’s contributions over the past year in supporting several key initiatives and activities organized by ICESCO, most notably the third session of the ICESCO Conference of Ministers of Education, held in the Sultanate of Oman. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to broadening future collaboration to ensure tangible educational outcomes in multiple Member States.

For his part, Mr. Kimmelman expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing partnership between NewGlobe Education and ICESCO, which aims for transforming education and improving learning quality comprehensively in several countries across the Islamic world. He noted that the collaboration over the past year has been both practical and fruitful, and he looks forward to achieving ambitious goals in the future.

The Meeting covered several key areas to strengthen the partnership between ICESCO and NewGlobe in alignment with ICESCO’s Education Sector Strategy. These key areas included: early childhood education development, utilizing education technology to enhance effective learning, ensuring inclusive education, and equipping teachers with essential skills to improve education quality.

Additionally, the two sides explored ways to drive effective transformation in education systems through developing an innovative educational model that can be replicated in multiple ICESCO Member States, securing increased support from donors to enhance existing education systems, co-organizing future education conferences, launching awards to recognize outstanding achievements in education and education-related fields, and advancing scientific research to provide data insights that are necessary for understanding and improving education systems in the Islamic world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has welcomed the decision of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to reinstate the membership of the Syrian Arab Republic. The decision was issued during the 20th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 7 March 2025. It includes the reactivation of relations between Syria and OIC Member States, as well as with all its bodies, institutions, Islamic universities, standing committees, and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, described the decision as a significant step toward strengthening cooperation among OIC Member States and deepening fraternal ties. He emphasized that it reflects the Member States’ commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Islamic nations and opens new avenues for joint efforts in various fields, particularly education, science, and culture, ultimately benefiting Muslim communities worldwide.

The ICESCO Director-General also underscored the importance of this decision in promoting regional stability, reaffirming shared Islamic values, and demonstrating a collective will to work towards a better future for the peoples of the Islamic world.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the second meeting of the scientific forum “Ramadan Journey into the Depths of the Human Soul” on Tuesday, 11 March 2025. The event was organized in collaboration with the Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations in Morocco.

During the session, Dr. Khadija Abouzid, Professor at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, delivered a lecture titled “Stories and Lessons from Ya’quubian Education.” The session was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, along with several ambassadors accredited to Morocco and members of the group.

The session opened with an address by Dr. Yousra Bint Hussain Al-Jazairy, a member of the group, in which she noted that the discussion on Ya’quubian Education would delve into the story of Prophet Ya’qub (Jacob, peace be upon him) and draw lessons from his patience and unwavering faith, applying them to contemporary life. She highlighted that the Holy Quran extensively addresses family and parenting issues due to the fundamental role the family plays in shaping individuals and society. She further pointed out that the Quran is rich with educational guidance and family-related instructions, emphasizing the importance of instilling correct beliefs, reinforcing moral values, and fostering dialogue, kindness, and compassion in parent-child relationships.

Following this, Dr. Khadija Abouzid began her lecture, explaining that Surah Yusuf focuses on parenting and illustrates the father’s role in guiding and advising his children within the family, complementing the mother’s role in accordance with the Quranic approach. She elaborated that education in the Quran is a gradual process that nurtures children step by step until they reach their fullest potential.

Dr. Abouzid then explored Prophet Ya’qub’s educational approach through the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him), portraying it as a distinctive model in parenting and family leadership. She outlined key educational principles derived from this approach, beginning with the importance of overlooking minor faults. The second principle emphasizes practicing patience without complaint or dissatisfaction, following the example of Prophet Ya’qub in facing the tribulations concerning his son. The third highlights the necessity of restraining anger, while the fourth stresses maintaining optimism and complete certainty in eventual resolution and improvement.

Dr. Abouzid concluded by affirming that the education of Prophet Ya’qub represents a prophetic educational model filled with profound lessons. Among its key takeaways is the importance of considering the psychological aspect of child-rearing, requiring parents to be deeply aware of their children’s emotions and to guide them in managing these emotions appropriately.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a grand celebration at its headquarters in Rabat on Monday, 10 March 2025. The event was attended by the Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and included the honoring of a group of outstanding female employees in appreciation of their contributions across various fields. Additionally, a training workshop was organized to develop and enhance personal and professional skills.

The celebration began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address from Dr. AlMalik, in which he highlighted inspiring stories of prominent female scholars and writers throughout Islamic history, from the era of the Prophet to the golden age of Islamic civilization and into the modern era. He further emphasized ICESCO’s firm belief in and support for women’s vital role in society and its commitment to strengthening their position.

Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s pride in its distinguished female workforce, who are highly valued and provided with equal opportunities in a fair and reliable work environment. He affirmed that this recognition reflects the Organization’s dedication to fostering a culture of appreciation and professional development. Concluding his address, he recited a poem he composed specifically for the occasion.

Coach Ikram El Ouariachi led a training workshop on self-development and skill enhancement. The session introduced innovative ways to balance emotions and logic to optimize personal and professional performance.

Subsequently, a video presented success stories of talented ICESCO female employees, highlighting how they discovered and nurtured their skills, including in fields traditionally less explored by women. The presentation was followed by an honorary recognition ceremony, during which the Director-General personally honored the outstanding employees for their excellence and contributions.

Before concluding, Ms. Rawda El Haj, an expert in ICESCO’s Culture Sector, recited a poem titled “She is a Woman Like All Women.” The celebration ended with a choral performance by the Qatr Al-Nada ensemble.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Monday, March 10, 2025, in a meeting to discuss arrangements for the 6th Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World (VC Forum 2025). The event will be organized by the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in partnership with ICESCO, COMSATS University Islamabad, and the British Council in Pakistan. Scheduled to take place on May 12-13, 2025, in Islamabad, the forum will be held under the theme: “Rethinking Higher Education in the Islamic World: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Impact.”

The meeting, attended by representatives from Pakistan’s most prestigious universities, commenced with an address by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. He emphasized that the upcoming forum will focus on strengthening investment in the future of higher education in the Islamic world, enhancing cooperation and partnerships between universities, and harnessing the latest emerging technologies.

For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik described the meeting as an excellent opportunity to promote fruitful collaboration for the advancement of higher education in the Islamic world. He expressed confidence that the sixth edition of the forum will stand out due to its meticulous preparations, which will feature several discussion sessions on the future of education in the region.

The meeting also covered the latest preparations for the forum and ways of bringing together the largest possible number of prestigious universities in the Islamic world, in addition to stepping up joint efforts with a view to achieving the forum’s objectives. Participants also stressed the importance of securing private sector sponsorship for its activities.

Moreover, participants discussed the holding of a cutting-edge technology exhibition to showcase state-of-the-art technological innovations and their applications in the educational process, as well as the possibility of increasing the number of scholarships granted to young people from the Islamic world at a number of prestigious universities.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector; Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General for the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW); and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO.