Category: News

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), held discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations in cultural fields, with a particular focus on heritage preservation and promotion.

The meeting, held today, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, coincided with the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. This event was co-organized by ICESCO, TURKSOY, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, attended by Ms. Lachin Ovazgeldiyeva, Turkmenistan’s delegate to TURKSOY, both parties reiterated their commitment to building a fruitful partnership. This partnership aims to implement programs and projects for the benefit of Member States of both organizations. Key objectives include promoting coexistence, peace, intercultural dialogue, recognizing figures of the Islamic world who have contributed to human civilization, and preserving tangible and intangible heritage of Islamic nations.

The meeting also explored several proposals for collaboration. Both parties agreed to maintain close coordination to develop implementation plans for the selected programs and projects.

ICESCO was represented at the meeting by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation; and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of DG.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the International Conference on “Interfaith Harmony: Nurturing Peaceful Coexistence”, organized on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by ICESCO, in partnership with the State Committee for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat, to discuss the role of religion in building peaceful societies and ways to address the challenges of promoting coexistence and interfaith dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution.

The conference, which saw high-level attendance led by Andre Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as a number of ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Rabat, began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, in which he stressed the importance of this international conference in the path of establishing world peace.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stressed that the current global developments and transformations place great responsibilities on everyone to build peace and maintain security, as the current situation requires a moment to uphold the values of human partnership, pointing out to the need to recognize the efficiency of faith and its people as peace bearers in shaping the future of humanity.

He added that ICESCO’s newly coined concept of “civilizational diplomacy” serves as a tool to resolve culturally rooted conflicts, indicating that the Organization is tirelessly working to ensure the steady progress of international peace. He also lauded Azerbaijan’s remarkable success in managing its unique diversity, commending the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan.

For his part, Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Affairs of Azerbaijan, highlighted the great attention that Azerbaijan pays to promoting the culture of diversity, coexistence and harmony, and supporting the values of religious freedom, commending ICESCO’s efforts to promote coexistence and peace.

Rafael Huseynov, Deputy Chair, Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed that the Islamic world’s civilization is a common and diverse heritage shared by many peoples, who remained united under the umbrella of civilization regardless of their different languages, religions, customs and traditions.

The first session discussed “Interreligious Harmony as a Basic Element of Sustainable Development” with the participation of experts from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Libya and Senegal. The second session tackled the “Best Practices in Religious Coexistence” with the participation of experts from Azerbaijan, Italy, Britain, and Tunisia.

ICESCO DG took the distinguished guests on a tour of the sideline exhibition “Shared Humanity, Diverse Faiths” to highlight religious diversity and tolerance in Azerbaijan.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and together they discussed ways to promote cooperation between the Organization and the Committee, within the framework of the special partnership relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in areas of common interest.

The meeting was held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Amb. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco. During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the strong relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, which led to a number of joint programs and projects and a remarkable participation of ICESCO at COP29, held in Baku last November.

The DG also stated that the International Conference, “Inter-Faith Harmony: Nurturing Peaceful Coexistence”, to be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters, in cooperation with the Committee and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rabat, represents another addition to the series of partnerships between ICESCO and Azerbaijani institutions, and aligns with the Organization’s vision to anchor the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.

The two parties discussed a proposal for cooperation between ICESCO and the Committee to implement several programs in the fields of education, health and social services for the benefit of countries in need, agreeing to review a set of projects in this regard.

At the close of the meeting, Mr. Mammadov gifted Dr. AlMalik a copy of the Holy Quran printed in Azerbaijan.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation, and Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Fadia Saadeh, Regional Director for Human Development in Middle East and North Africa Region at the World Bank, and her accompanying delegation. The Meeting focused on exploring avenues for cooperation between ICESCO and the World Bank for the benefit of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Member States of the Organization.

During the Meeting, held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ICESCO adopts an open approach to engaging with international organizations and bodies in order to support its Member States in advancing education, science, and culture, as well as building the capacities of women and youth.

He reviewed ICESCO’s key strategic vision and objectives, and highlighted the Organization’s flagship programs and projects implemented in collaboration with relevant authorities in its Member States. He also expressed the Organization’s readiness to cooperate with the World Bank in areas of mutual interest.

For her part, Ms. Saadeh praised ICESCO’s efforts, emphasizing that cooperation between the Two Parties could involve sharing expertise, particularly in the fields of education, teacher capacity building, and the joint organization of forums and activities in these areas.

The Meeting was attended by ICESCO officials, including Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Zaid Abshama, Expert at the Education Sector. From the World Bank’s Morocco team, attendees included Ms. Fadila Caillaud, Regional Manager in Education Global Practice; Ms. Debbie Newitter Mikesell, Senior Education Specialist; and Ms. Léa Iungmann, Education Specialist.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), has unveiled the Organization’s project to restore the ancient mosque of Chinguetti in Mauritania, in the historic district classified as an Islamic and world heritage site, including the Imam’s house and the mosque’s interior and exterior courtyards. This initiative has been launched in agreement with the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, in total compliance with the cultural heritage technical requirements.

This decision comes following Dr. AlMalik’s visit to the mosque, on the sidelines of his participation in the opening of the 13th session of “Madayn Heritage Festival”, which kicked off on 13 December 2024 in Chinguetti, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.

During the visit, the Director General toured the various sections of the mosque and its interior and exterior courtyards. He also learned about the history and great historical symbolism of this Islamic architecture, a monument that has taught thousands of scholars over more than ten centuries and a key departure point for pilgrims from West Africa.

He added that the decision to restore the ancient mosque of Chinguetti falls within the framework of the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Mauritania, as well as ICESCO’s commitment to heritage preservation.

The ancient mosque of Chinguetti is one of the most prominent monuments in the ancient city, representing a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and precise architectural design. It was first founded in 160 A.H. in ancient Chinguetti, before being re-founded in 660 A.H. in its present location.

Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), commended the 13th edition of the ” Madayn Heritage Festival”, being held in the historic city of Chinguetti, a cultural and scientific center that has promoted and preserved the values of its identity throughout the ages, much like the cities that have embraced the Islamic, Arab and African culture, to linger in human memory forever.

This statement came in his address, delivered during the first cultural evening of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”, on Friday evening (13 December 2024), in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, alongside Mauritanian ministers and senior officials, heads of international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture, and a large number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Nouakchott, as well as intellectuals, artists and the public at large.

ICESCO Director General said that cities are like flags, some of which have faded from the memory of history while others such as Mecca, Al Madinah, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Chinguetti still linger in our memory given their historic status as metropolises that must be preserved, maintained and revitalized.

He also pointed out that ICESCO undertakes this responsibility by promoting the areas of education, science and culture throughout the Islamic world, as illustrated by its Programme of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, and the concept of ICESCO Routes integrated with the Hajj Routes initiative, in line with the Organization’s mission, which considers that cities would be future ruins without civilizational vitality.
At the close of his address, Dr. Al-Malik shared his poem titled “Li Chinguetti Tuskabu al-Alhan,” written in celebration of this city as part of the “Madayn Heritage Festival”.

ICESCO Director General visited Chinguetti Historic Mosque, one of the city’s prominent heritage monument, representing a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and a meticulous architectural design. It was first founded in 160 AH in ancient Chenguitti, before it was rebuilt in its current location in 660 AH. The soft sand-covered ground of the mosque is still the worshippers’ carpet during their prayers.

During the visit, Dr. Al-Malik commended the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania aiming at preserving its tangible and intangible heritage, indicating that ICESCO has inscribed many historical sites and cultural elements of Mauritania on its Islamic World Heritage List.