Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Thursday, 25 June 2026, Dr. Ismat Qureshi Abdullah, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Republic of the Sudan, and his accompanying delegation at the Organization’s headquarters.
The two sides reviewed the distinguished relations between ICESCO and Sudan and explored ways to further develop them, particularly at the current stage, as Sudan faces reconstruction and rebuilding challenges, especially in developing digital capacities. The Sudanese minister expressed his country’s aspiration for dedicated support from ICESCO in this regard.
For his part, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the visit of the Sudanese delegation, affirming that the Organization will spare no effort in providing all possible support to develop digital capacities and other areas within ICESCO’s mandate, in the context of a promising partnership with strong prospects for further growth and development.
The Sudanese minister and his accompanying delegation also visited the Sultan Qaboos Library at ICESCO, where they were introduced to its significant resources. The visit concluded with a tour of the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization.
The meeting was attended, on the Sudanese side, by Ambassador Abdul-Azim Mohamed Saddiq, Director of the Arab League Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. El Gayly Mohamed Abdelhamid, Consul at the Embassy of the Sudan in Rabat. On the ICESCO side, attendees included Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and Ambassador Khalid Fatahalrahman, Head of the Civilizational Dialogue Center at ICESCO.
Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received, on Thursday, 25 June 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Reham Abdullah Salamah, Director of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), to explore prospects for cooperation in civilizational dialogue, dismantling hate and extremism discourse, and countering media disinformation.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Benarafa reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives in civilizational dialogue, education, culture, and communication, highlighting the Organization’s programs and international conferences that have contributed to launching pioneering projects aimed at enhancing intercultural understanding, consolidating the values of moderation and coexistence, and confronting extremist thought.
The Deputy Director-General affirmed that ICESCO’s work is guided by a civilizational mission grounded in universal values and that it seeks to develop new approaches, including the concept of “civilizational rights,” which raises a fundamental question about ways to safeguard the contributions of different civilizations to humanity. Dr. Benarafa invited AOCE to participate in the international scientific conference titled “Al-Jami’ Al-Musnad As-Sahih by Imam Al-Bukhari: The Book of an Ummah,” scheduled for early next July in Uzbekistan, and the Wisdom Heritage Forum on Addressing Extremism Issues, set to be held in Azerbaijan later this year.
For her part, Dr. Reham Salamah presented AOCE’s initiatives in raising awareness and protecting youth from extremist ideologies through in-field and digital programs that analyze and deconstruct hate and extremism discourse in more than 12 foreign languages, expressing the Observatory’s aspiration to cooperate with ICESCO in this regard.
In the same context, Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector at ICESCO, underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Organization and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, particularly in countering media disinformation and falsification, and called for the Observatory’s reports to be made available in both print and digital formats at the Sultan Qaboos Library at ICESCO headquarters for the benefit of researchers and readers.
Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, highlighted the importance of promoting civilizational awareness through education and building a value-based identity, while Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of the Civilizational Dialogue Center at ICESCO, reviewed the Center’s programs, particularly its civilizational diplomacy and civilizational education initiatives.
Dr. AlMalik Proposes Establishing Uzbekistan-ICESCO Academy for Maqom and Launching the Global Prize and Program “Maqom Without Borders”
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), announced a set of pioneering initiatives to advance the strategic partnership between ICESCO and the Republic of Uzbekistan, particularly in safeguarding and developing the art of Maqom. These include a proposal to establish the Uzbekistan-ICESCO Maqom Academy, launch a Global Maqom Prize, and strengthen the academic dimension of the International Maqom Art Forum by promoting scientific research and training new generations of researchers and artists specialized in this ancient art.
He made these remarks during his participation as a guest of honor at the opening session of the Third Maqom International Art Forum, held on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, in Namangan, under the auspices and in the presence of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event saw the participation of several ministers of culture, representatives of international organizations, and around 250 experts, researchers, and artists from more than 80 countries.
Dr. AlMalik stressed that Uzbekistan, under the wise leadership of President Mirziyoyev, has demonstrated through its development vision that investment in culture and knowledge is among the noblest investments nations can undertake. He also noted that this vision has been instrumental in advancing the art of Maqom to its well-deserved place on the international cultural scene.
ICESCO Director-General also proposed launching an international program titled “Maqom Without Borders,” aimed at presenting Maqom music on major stages, universities, and cultural capitals worldwide, enabling this authentic artistic heritage to reach new audiences and reinforcing its role as a bridge for intercultural dialogue and communication.
Dr. AlMalik further explained that ICESCO will contribute its expertise in artificial intelligence and heritage to support the Global Digital Maqom Library, ensuring that this pioneering platform becomes an international reference for Maqom traditions and a knowledge space for preserving and making this artistic heritage accessible to researchers, artists, and cultural institutions.
He concluded by emphasizing that the International Maqom Art Forum goes beyond a celebration of music to represent a celebration of civilization, identity, and memory, highlighting that Maqom art preserves artistic wisdom and transmits it from one generation to the next, reflecting Uzbekistan’s enduring heritage.
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, held the closing ceremony of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud International Program for Language Training: Arabic Language in Central Asia. The program benefited more than 200 educators and postgraduate students across six phases in Central Asia, covering Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan (two phases in Almaty and Turkistan), as well as Bashkortostan (Russian Federation).
The closing ceremony, held on Monday, 22 June 2026, at ICESCO’s Regional Office in the Azerbaijani capital, was attended by ambassadors of several countries accredited to Azerbaijan, led by Mr. Essam bin Saleh Al Jutaili, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Baku, along with representatives of the universities that hosted the training program and several Azerbaijani government officials. The ceremony featured artistic performances reflecting the cultural heritage of Central Asia.
The ceremony opened with remarks by Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku; Mr. Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Khulaifi, Director-General of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation; Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers at ICESCO; and Mr. Farrukh Jumayev, Secretary-General of the Azerbaijani National Commission for Education, Science and Culture. All speakers commended the cooperation between ICESCO, the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, and the host universities.
The speakers praised the training program for fostering scientific and educational exchange, promoting the status of the Arabic language and its civilization, and promoting cultural diversity through building bridges of communication among ICESCO’s Member States and their peoples, particularly in Central Asia.
It is worth noting that this program was organized under a strategic partnership between ICESCO and the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, in cooperation with several universities in the host countries, namely Eurasian University in Baku, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Bishkek State University, Al-Farabi University, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi University, and the Russian Islamic University. Training was delivered by three experts from ICESCO’s Center for Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers.
On the sidelines of his participation in the International Maqam Music Festival, set in the presence of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), paid a visit to the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, inaugurated this year as one of the most prominent civilizational and cultural landmarks in the Islamic world.
Dr. AlMalik was received by the Center’s Director, Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, who accompanied him on a tour during which he was briefed on the Center’s various sections and galleries, as well as its rare manuscripts, collections, and historical documents. He also explored its innovative architectural design and advanced exhibition technologies, which present the Islamic civilization through a blend of authenticity and modernity.
During the tour, Dr. Abdukhalikov reviewed the stages of the Center’s establishment, its vision and objectives, and the role it plays in preserving, safeguarding, and restoring manuscripts, protecting Islamic heritage, and showcasing it for future generations. He further emphasized how these efforts reflect the scholarly and civilizational contributions made by Muslim scholars to the advancement of human knowledge.
Following the tour, the two sides discussed prospects for cooperation between the Center and ICESCO, and agreed to establish a joint committee tasked with developing implementation pathways for future cooperation and preparing joint programs, initiatives, and projects that serve the objectives of both institutions and contribute to strengthening the preservation and promotion of Islamic heritage and highlighting its civilizational values.
Dr. AlMalik also stressed the importance of signing a cooperation agreement to define the general framework of the strategic partnership and open new horizons for collaboration in the fields of culture, heritage, manuscripts, scientific research, and capacity building.
The meeting also addressed the international scientific conferences that the Republic of Uzbekistan will host from 7 to 10 July 2026, foremost among them the International Conference on Imam Maturidi and the International Conference on Imam Al-Tirmidhi, in addition to the International Conference on Imam Al-Bukhari, which will be held in Samarkand near the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, with the participation of a distinguished group of scholars, researchers, and specialists from around the world.
Dr. AlMalik commended the great attention that the Republic of Uzbekistan devotes to Islamic heritage and the preservation of the legacy of Muslim scholars, affirming that the Islamic Civilization Center represents a pioneering civilizational project that contributes to preserving the historical memory of the nation and presents new generations with a bright image of its scientific, intellectual, and cultural contributions.
At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. AlMalik wrote a message in the Center’s Golden Book, expressing his deep admiration for this distinguished civilizational edifice. He praised the beauty of its architecture, the richness of its content, and the meticulous presentation of the history of Islamic civilization and the contributions of its scholars throughout the ages. He noted that the Center represents a pioneering model for preserving the civilizational memory of our nation and a bridge of knowledge connecting new generations with their rich scientific and cultural heritage. He also commended the efforts of the Republic of Uzbekistan to realize this inspiring civilizational project, which harmoniously combines the authenticity of history with the horizons of the future.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bahram Jan Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The meeting reviewed areas of joint cooperation and followed up on the implementation of the roadmap adopted two years ago, including the programs, initiatives, and qualitative projects delivered within its framework.
During the meeting, held on Monday, 22 June 2026, in Tashkent, the Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister commended ICESCO’s role and the level of fruitful cooperation with Uzbekistan. He highlighted the success achieved under the Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025 programme, along with the distinguished cultural, intellectual, and scientific activities organized. He also praised the efforts of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Committee, which led to the inscription and recognition of several archaeological sites and tangible and intangible heritage elements, in addition to organizing specialized conferences and programs that showcase the civilizational and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
Mr. Aliyev stressed the importance of continuing and expanding this cooperation to include new areas that serve shared cultural and developmental priorities, expressing Uzbekistan’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with ICESCO across fields of mutual interest.
For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed appreciation for the support and attention extended to ICESCO by the leadership of the Republic of Uzbekistan, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to implementing all components of the agreed roadmap and advancing toward broader cooperation in education, science, culture, heritage, and capacity building.
He also noted that his current visit is to participate in the International Maqam Art Festival, which will be held in Namangan, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He added that ICESCO will present a number of flagship initiatives during the forum that align with its objectives, supporting its areas of work and contributing to enhanced international cooperation and sustainable development.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere thanks to Mr. Bahram Aliyev for the warm welcome and hospitality, and for his commitment to advancing cooperation between the two sides in a manner that serves shared interests and strengthens cultural and civilizational action in the Islamic world.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an academic lecture on Monday, 22 June 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, as part of its “Global Thinkers at ICESCO” series, titled “Manuscript Terminology in the East and West.” The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binebine, Curator of the Hassania Royal Library in Morocco, in the presence of a number of experts and researchers specializing in manuscripts from the Arab world.
The lecture began with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, wherein he emphasized that manuscript heritage is a significant part of Arab and Islamic civilization, being the most enduring and comprehensive repository of knowledge from previous civilizations, and the richest in subject matter.
He also highlighted the numerous connections between Arabic manuscripts and those written in other languages, noting that Western philologists played a significant early role in studying manuscripts and defining their terminology, alongside valuable Arab contributions that helped shape the lexicon of codicology.
During the lecture, moderated by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center at ICESCO, Dr. Binebine explained that the preparation of the “Dictionary of Arabic Manuscript Terminology: A Codicological Lexicon,” which he co-authored with Dr. Mustapha Toubi, was based on an inductive approach aimed at reviving neglected manuscript terminology. He described manuscripts as one of the key elements of tangible heritage and a living memory preserving the Ummah’s connection to its scientific and cultural past.
The speaker traced the development of manuscript terminology in both Western and Eastern contexts, reviewing scholars’ contributions to advancing manuscript concepts in Arab and non-Arab settings. He noted that the first project to compile a dictionary of manuscript terminology in the Western world dates back to 1953.
Dr. Binebine also addressed Arabic manuscript terminology, highlighting that early scholarly attention to terminology was initially linked to the vocabulary of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Hadith as well as their interpretation. The need for new lexicons only emerged later, as knowledge expanded and Islamic society evolved.
The meeting concluded with scholarly discussions on the importance of unifying manuscript terminology, strengthening codicological studies in the Islamic world, and enhancing cooperation among specialized institutions to preserve, catalogue and restore manuscripts, making them accessible to researchers.
Rabat: 23 June 2026 As part of its International Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the sixth session of its program “Artists of the World, Guests at ICESCO,” under the theme “Art, Music, and Cultural Management,” with the participation of a number of specialists and experts, marking World Music Day, observed annually on 21 June.
The meeting, held on Friday, 19 June 2026, was opened by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, who emphasized the importance of music and the arts in building societies, highlighting ICESCO’s role in promoting cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and dialogue among creators, academics, and professionals working in the cultural field.
Soprano Samira Kadiri, a specialist in Mediterranean musical heritage, delivered a presentation in which she reviewed the richness of historical interactions among Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean musical traditions, noting that music represents a unique space for intercultural dialogue. She also addressed her experience in opera singing, calling for the adoption of creative approaches that combine cultural authenticity with artistic innovation. For his part, Dr. Fakher Hakima, Director of the Higher Institute of Music of Sousse, Tunisia, focused on the central role of higher artistic education in cultural development, stressing the need to strengthen links between academic institutions, creative sectors, and public policies, so that universities can serve as a genuine driver of cultural and economic development.
Mr. Mahmoud Lemseffer, a Moroccan expert in cultural management, highlighted the importance of music festivals in developing cultural and creative industries, fostering intercultural dialogue, and strengthening openness to the world. He also underlined the need to accord culture a more prominent place within public policies, strengthening mechanisms to support artists, and protecting copyright.
The meeting concluded with remarks by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts at ICESCO, who shed light on the importance of cultural geography in understanding the trajectories of artistic and musical influence and interaction within the Islamic world. He also referred to historical influences originating in Iraq that contributed to shaping musical traditions and enriching Andalusian heritage.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held an expanded meeting with both Ms. Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva, Minister of Education, and Mr. Mambetaliev Mirbek, Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss prospects for building a strategic partnership between ICESCO and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of education, science, and culture.
The meeting, held on Friday, 19 June 2026, in Kyrgyzstan, featured discussions on a number of projects, programs, and initiatives proposed for joint implementation, including the celebration of Osh as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World; the inscription of a number of heritage and archaeological sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List; the Organization’s contribution to the restoration of the Shah Fazil Archaeological Complex in the Jalal-Abad region; and the implementation of a number of capacity-building workshops for heritage professionals.
The meeting also discussed ways to cooperate in the areas of education, science, and technology development; youth capacity-building; and the organization of summer camps for young people from the Islamic world on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, in addition to recruiting a number of qualified Kyrgyz professionals to work at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continuing consultations between the two sides in the coming period and implementing a number of proposed programs in the shortest time possible.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms.Gulzat Tynybekovna Isamatova, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic, to explore ways to enhance cooperation in science, technology, innovation, knowledge dissemination, and the organization of international scientific conferences.
The meeting, held on Thursday, 18 June 2026, on the sidelines of the 40th session of the Issyk-Kul International Forum, included discussions on several proposed joint programs and projects, notably the launch of a youth capacity-building program in technology and innovation, the establishment of a digital library, and the organization of an international science conference.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which aims to achieve major objectives, including supporting education systems in Member States and accelerating their integration into global economies, with a focus on knowledge production, innovation, strategic foresight, and environmental protection. The Plan also seeks to contribute to social development, empower youth and women, and support cultural development across the Islamic world while safeguarding heritage and promoting cultural diversity and civilizational dialogue.
Dr. AlMalik emphasized that ICESCO attaches great importance to creativity and innovation and is committed to building youth capacities in these fields. He highlighted ICESCO’s program to train youth on how to establish and develop small technology and innovation enterprises, which aims to support 150 startups across Member States. For her part, the minister expressed her commitment to building productive cooperation with ICESCO, noting that she closely follows the Organization’s leading role in its fields of expertise across the Islamic world.
