Category: News

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.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed the Organization’s willingness to work alongside the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and all international partners to translate shared values and ideals into sustainable, long-term action programs that contribute to building a legacy of cooperation serving future generations.

This statement was part of his address delivered at the opening of the 40th edition of the Issyk-Kul International Forum, held under the theme “The World at a Civilizational Crossroads: Together Towards the Future,” from 18 to 21 June 2026. The event was attended by H.E. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, ministers and thinkers from more than 15 countries, and representatives of international organizations.

In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the historic significance of the forum, which over four decades has demonstrated that sustained multilateral dialogue remains a fundamental instrument for strengthening international understanding and a vital platform where countries and organizations convene to discuss the major challenges facing the world.

The Director-General noted that the Kyrgyz Republic represents a rich space for cultural and civilizational exchange, emphasizing the deep symbolism embodied in the literary epic “Manas” as a testament to cultural resilience, preservation of memory, and safeguarding of identity and continuity. This, he noted, positions intangible heritage as a key driver for strengthening the internal cohesion of societies.

He added that, in cooperation with its Member States, ICESCO is implementing a comprehensive and integrated approach to peace, based on the view that stable and harmonious societies are built through strong educational systems, effective cultural institutions, informed civic participation, and youth development capable of channeling the energies of new generations into responsible leadership.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the Organization places great importance on strategic international partnerships through civilizational diplomacy as a mechanism for building bridges between peoples and cultures, supporting the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and promoting intellectual dialogue that leads to practical and sustainable cooperation.

It is worth noting that the Issyk-Kul Forum was established in 1986 at the initiative of the renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, with the aim of reviving a platform for dialogue among thinkers, policymakers, and cultural figures. Its 40th edition seeks to renew its humanistic legacy and align its ideas with the transformations of the digital age, particularly ethical issues related to artificial intelligence and current global challenges.

The sixth and final stage of the “Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud International Program for Language Training: Arabic Language in Central Asia” commenced on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Program is implemented by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Charitable Foundation and in cooperation with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku and Baku Eurasian University.

The three-day program opened with remarks delivered by representatives of Baku Eurasian University, the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation, and ICESCO, who emphasized the importance of cooperation among academic, charitable, and international institutions in supporting the global standing of the Arabic language and promoting its rich cultural heritage.

The Program includes five specialized workshops led by Dr. Adham Hamawiya, Head of the Language Development Section at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, for the benefit of faculty members from Azerbaijani universities involved in teaching Arabic. The workshops will present key contemporary trends in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and discuss the challenges facing Arabic language education in Azerbaijan.

Prior to the official opening, a coordination meeting was held between Dr. Magdy Hajj Ibrahim, Director of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers; Dr. Sayavush Gasimov, Rector of Baku Eurasian University; and Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Maqoushi, Assistant Director-General of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation. The meeting explored prospects for future cooperation aimed at serving the Arabic language and strengthening its presence in Azerbaijan by leveraging ICESCO’s expertise in this field.

It is worth noting that the “Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud International Language Training Program: Arabic Language in Central Asia” was launched in September 2025 and has covered five countries across the region: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bashkortostan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Yuri Otlev, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Adygea of the Russian Federation, to discuss prospects for building joint cooperation in the fields of culture, heritage preservation and valorization, support for scientific research, and environmental action.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Ms. Bella Khakunova, Advisor to the Head of the Republic of Adygea, Dr. AlMalik presented a historical overview of the Organization, its areas of work, and its key programs, initiatives, and projects benefiting its Member States. He commended the development of bilateral relations with Russia, which holds observer status at ICESCO, and noted that the Organization is celebrating the city of Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World this year.

The Director-General expressed his aspiration to build a successful partnership between the two sides, similar to the distinguished cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan. He affirmed that such bilateral cooperation would open broader horizons for Adygea with the Islamic world. In this context, he expressed ICESCO’s readiness to host and organize a number of forums and events to promote Circassian culture and heritage and the Muslim peoples of the Caucasus region.

For his part, Mr. Otlev expressed the ministry’s keenness to establish joint cooperation with ICESCO, given its leading role in the educational, scientific, and cultural fields in the Islamic world.

The meeting also discussed a number of proposed programs and projects to be implemented in the areas of culture, support for creative industries, science and environment, youth empowerment, and preparation for future professions, as well as the possibility of Adygea hosting several of ICESCO’s annual conferences.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Mr. Otlev and his delegation on a tour of the Sultan Qaboos Library and the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, hosted at ICESCO headquarters.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Friday, 12 June 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in the presence of Ambassador Ahmed Nihad Abdel Latif, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Morocco. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in publishing, the preservation of Islamic and human heritage, the conservation and restoration of manuscripts, and the development of cultural and knowledge-based projects.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s most prominent programs and initiatives in education, science, and culture, highlighting the Organization’s efforts to protect heritage, promote the cultural economy, and support knowledge production. He also touched on the Sultan Qaboos Library project, recently inaugurated at ICESCO headquarters, affirming that libraries are no longer merely spaces for storing books, but have become vital institutions for knowledge production and cultural dissemination.

Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of benefiting from the extensive expertise accumulated by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in documentation, digital preservation, and the management of heritage collections, emphasizing the need to build strategic partnerships between the two institutions to strengthen the presence of Islamic and human heritage and make it accessible to future generations and researchers worldwide.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed presented an overview of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s main projects, including the initiative to summarize 1,000 books and encyclopedias to bring knowledge closer to young people and facilitate access to its content. He also reviewed the awards and programs launched by the library in recent years to promote a culture of reading and scientific research, noting that the library holds more than one million books, over 600 original historical manuscripts, and around 21,000 digitized manuscripts, and receives approximately three thousand visitors daily.

The meeting also discussed several practical proposals for cooperation, including launching a joint project to revive Islamic and human heritage through the restoration of manuscripts and rare books, as well as translating historical, intellectual, and Islamic works into several languages. It was also proposed to establish a joint reading award aimed at encouraging young people to read and strengthening a culture of knowledge.

The meeting was attended on the ICESCO side by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Director of the Translation and Publishing Center; Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; and Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a coordination meeting with Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan (ICCU), to discuss the final arrangements for organizing the international scientific conference “Al-Jami‘ Al-Musnad Al-Sahih of Imam Al-Bukhari: The Book of a Nation” and the international conference “The Great Heritage of the Past: A Foundation for an Enlightened Future,” scheduled to take place in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand from 7 to 10 July 2026, under the patronage of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, held virtually on Friday, 12 June 2026, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to ensuring the success of both conferences and securing the participation of the largest possible number of ministers, senior officials, leading scholars, muftis, researchers, and representatives of religious institutions across the Islamic world. He noted that organizing these scientific conferences in partnership with the ICCU forms part of joint efforts aimed at highlighting the scientific and intellectual contributions of Islamic civilization, which have enriched human civilization and contributed to its advancement.

The Director-General of ICESCO also praised the level of bilateral relations between the Organization and Uzbekistan in recent years and referred to his planned participation in the International Maqam Art Festival, scheduled to be held at the end of the current month in Namangan, Uzbekistan.

For his part, Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov commended ICESCO’s contributions within its fields of competence and noted the special appreciation the Organization enjoys from His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He affirmed the Center’s commitment to mobilizing all necessary resources to ensure the success of both conferences, which represent an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released a new book titled “Emerging Trends in Teaching Arabic language to Speakers of Arabic and Non-Arabic Speakers.” The launch took place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the Sultan Qaboos Library at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, along with a number of the Organization’s leaders, experts, intellectuals, and specialists interested in promoting the international standing of the Arabic Language.

In his address at the event, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Arabic Language’s pivotal role as a core component of the culture of Member States, a bridge for communication among their peoples, and a vessel for the Islamic world’s civilizational heritage and sciences. He noted that ICESCO attaches great importance to the Arabic language, which led to the establishment of its Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers in 2020. The Center has launched since its establishment diverse programs worldwide, and its efforts have been recognized with three international awards.

Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy Director-General, commended the book and its topics, which bring together the expertise of several specialists in Arabic language fields. He affirmed that scientific publishing at ICESCO follows rigorous academic standards.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Director of Translation and Publishing Center at ICESCO, announced the launch of the “ICESCO Arabic Language Pavilion” next month, a joint initiative between the Translation and Publishing Center and the Center of Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers.

Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers at ICESCO, explained that the Center has recently issued five scientific series in the field of Arabic language teaching and launched a research excellence program in Arabic language and literature, through which three books have been published.

In a statement by the representative of the Regional Center for Education and Training Professions of Casablanca-Settat in Morocco, Dr. Miloud Othmani praised the scientific cooperation with ICESCO to support educational and academic efforts in Arabic language teaching. Dr. Ata Allah El Azami, Secretary-General of the Maghreb Association for the Protection of the Arabic Language, also commended the publication, noting that it took a full year of writing, peer review, revision, and publication.

The book is a collective work comprising 13 peer-reviewed studies by researchers from seven countries. It addresses various topics related to strategies for teaching and learning Arabic and the challenges faced in the context of digital and interactive education. It also offers key proposals that provide an integrated vision for modernizing Arabic language teaching, combining global, digital, and conceptual innovation, leading to institutional renewal in schools, universities, and specialized Arabic language teaching centers.

The publication can be accessed at the following link:
https://icesco.org/ymxr