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    Category: News

    ICESCO, Afro-Arab Cultural Institute Explore Cooperation Prospects in Manuscript Restoration and Arabic Language Promotion

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ambassador Mohamed Ben Youssef, Director-General of the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored cooperation prospects in manuscript restoration, heritage protection, and strengthening the international presence of the Arabic language.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s contributions to heritage preservation, including the inscription of heritage sites and cultural elements, the safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage, and initiatives to transcribe African languages using the Arabic script.

    Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s willingness to develop a joint program with the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to restore the historic Timbuktu manuscripts in Mali and implement activities aimed at raising awareness of shared figures and symbols between the Arab and African worlds.

    For his part, Ambassador Ben Youssef commended the Organization’s efforts in recent years to advance initiatives and programs within its areas of competence. He underscored the Institute’s commitment to developing joint activities in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and promoting civilizational exchange among Arab and African cultures to disseminate the values of coexistence, tolerance, and peace among peoples.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO; Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; and Dr. Anas Husam Al-Nuaimi, expert at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.

    ICESCO Participates in Education World Forum 2026 in London

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is participating in the Education World Forum (EWF) 2026, being held from 17 to 20 May 2026 in London, United Kingdom, under the theme “Educating for a Shared Future: Peace, Planet, Purpose and Pathways.” The forum brings together a host of education ministers, senior officials, and education policymakers from around the world to discuss key challenges facing the education sector and explore innovative solutions.

    On the first day of the forum, ICESCO’s delegation, headed by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Supervisor of the Education Sector and Director of the Translation and Publishing Center, and comprising Dr. Waqas Afridi and Ms. Faizah Alaoui, experts at the Education Sector, took part in sessions and panel discussions on inclusive basic education, sustainable education, the transformation of education systems, the role of artificial intelligence and digital learning in education, and teacher training and qualification.

    On the sidelines of the forum’s first day, ICESCO’s delegation held two meetings. The first was with Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission under Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, during which he presented a commemorative shield in recognition of ICESCO’s efforts and achievements in the field of education in recent years.

    In the second meeting, Dr. Albanyan and Dr. Phil Baty, Director-General of the Education World Forum, discussed arrangements for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Organization and the Forum.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Mauritanian Minister of Culture to Discuss Cooperation in Media and Civilizational Upbringing

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. El Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in the fields of media, civilizational dialogue, and the preservation and safeguarding of heritage. The meeting was attended by Mr. Ahmed Ould Bahiya, Ambassador of Mauritania to the Kingdom of Morocco, and Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.

    During the meeting, held on Monday, 18 May 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO attaches the utmost importance to cooperation with Mauritania in the areas of media literacy, civilizational upbringing, and the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in the protection of manuscripts and the promotion of the civilizational heritage of the Organization’s Member States, particularly as ICESCO’s vision for the coming period will focus on new horizons of development and innovation.

    Dr. AlMalik also underscored the importance of investing in the young men and women of the Islamic world as a creative human capital, which requires equipping them with skills that keep pace with rapid technological developments, within the framework of an innovative action plan aimed at building a prosperous Islamic world.

    For his part, Mr. Ould Meddou congratulated Dr. AlMalik on his unanimous re-election by the Organization’s Member States for a new term, noting that this would open new horizons for strengthening the strong partnership between ICESCO and Nouakchott. He also praised the Organization’s sustained efforts in recent years, under the leadership of Dr. AlMalik, in educating younger generations and building youth capacities through initiatives and projects in the fields of education, science, and culture.

    The Minister further expressed his Ministry’s readiness to cooperate in disseminating knowledge and raising awareness about prominent figures of the Islamic world, in addition to collaborating on the development of a joint international platform dedicated to promoting Islamic civilizational identity, its values, and its distinctive characteristics.

    During the meeting, ICESCO was represented by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; and Dr. Salim Al-Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.

    ICESCO Issues Strategic Study on the Role of Culture and Heritage in Addressing Climate Change

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has issued a new strategic study titled “Member States’ Strategy to Enhance the Role of Culture and Heritage in Addressing Climate Change,” as part of efforts to firmly anchor culture and heritage within national and international climate and sustainable development policies and strengthen their presence in global debates on rapidly evolving environmental challenges.

    The study is among the first specialized strategic studies in the Islamic world to present an integrated scientific and institutional vision of the relationship between culture, heritage, and climate change. It adopts an approach that moves beyond viewing heritage solely as an element threatened by the climate crisis toward recognizing it as an active contributor to response and adaptation solutions and strengthening community resilience.

    Spanning more than 440 pages, the study is based on a multidisciplinary methodology that brings together heritage sciences, climate studies, strategic analysis, digital technologies, and cultural policies. It addresses key themes, including an assessment of the impacts of climate change on cultural and natural heritage sites and an analysis of the climate risks facing ICESCO Member States, such as heat waves, desertification, water scarcity, and floods.

    The study also reviews the role of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and 3D scanning, in documenting and safeguarding heritage, while highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge and local community practices in supporting climate adaptation efforts. It devotes significant attention to examining ways to develop cultural and institutional policies capable of integrating heritage into national climate strategies.

    The study was prepared under the supervision of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, coordinated by Dr. Bilel Chebbi, expert at the Center, with the participation of a select group of experts and researchers from across the Islamic world.

    ICESCO makes the full study, along with its executive summary, available to researchers, stakeholders, and decision-makers via the following links:

    https://icesco.org/0m4d
    https://icesco.org/1smg

    ICESCO Participates in the Second International Solidarity Culinary Arts Festival in Rabat

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the second edition of the International Solidarity Culinary Arts Festival, held on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat, with the participation of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

    The opening of the festival was attended by Ms. Naima Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion and Family; Mr. Abdelilah Bouzidi, President of the Agdal-Riad District Council; and Ms. Oniel Obolo, President of the Diplomatic Club in Morocco, along with a number of ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions.

    ICESCO’s participation in this edition reflected the cultural richness and diversity that characterize the countries of the Islamic world and highlighted the importance of using culinary arts as a means of cultural exchange and support for social action. This year’s participation also featured a dedicated children’s area with a variety of awareness-raising and educational activities, traditional games, and the screening of the animated film “Show Me Your Smile,” produced by ICESCO as part of its program to combat bullying in schools. Children were given an explanation of the phenomenon and received motivational gifts.

    The festival, the proceeds of which were allocated to support a project of the Girls’ Schooling Committee, was organized within the framework of promoting the values of solidarity and rapprochement among peoples through the use of culinary arts as a means to enhance cultural exchange and support social and humanitarian initiatives.

    ICESCO Concludes Second Cohort of its Training Program on “Civilizational Diplomacy”

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Chair at the Euromed University of Fez, concluded the second cohort of its training program on the concept of Civilizational Diplomacy, designed for postgraduate students specializing in international law and conflict resolution.

    The Program, which concluded on Friday, 15 May 2026, lasted nearly three months under the supervision of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, with the participation of eight trainees from four countries. During the Program, participants enhanced their skills in issues related to international dialogue and conflict resolution.

    This program forms part of ICESCO’s efforts to consolidate its innovative concept of “Civilizational Diplomacy” as an approach to strengthening dialogue and understanding among cultures through investment in academic knowledge, linguistic openness, and the use of modern technological tools in the service of rapprochement among peoples and civilizations.

    During the closing ceremony, the trainees presented projects and applied studies reflecting an advanced level of engagement with the program’s themes. Their work addressed the role of civilizational diplomacy in building bridges for international communication, highlighted the importance of the Arabic language as a vessel for culture and knowledge, and explored the use of technology and academic research in the service of civilizational dialogue and the development of more effective approaches to international relations.

    The conclusion of this second cohort reaffirms the commitment of ICESCO and its academic partners to continuing investment in the training of a new generation of professionals capable of carrying forward the values of dialogue, openness, and coexistence, thereby strengthening the role of Civilizational Diplomacy as both a practical concept and a promising field for addressing contemporary international challenges.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets with Director of Hermitage Museum in the Russian Federation

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage Museum in the Russian Federation, on the sidelines of the Kazan International Forum, which took place from May 13 to 15 in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.

    The two parties discussed prospects for cooperation in preserving and restoring cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of drawing on international experience in reconstructing historical sites and conserving precious artifacts. This is particularly important considering the damage caused by crises and wars to certain heritage sites in the Islamic world.

    The meeting focused on the Hermitage Museum’s advanced use of artificial intelligence technologies to display archaeological sites as faithfully as possible to their original historical shapes. Both parties also discussed transferring these skills to museums in Islamic countries to upgrade their capacities to maintain and conserve exhibited collections for future generations.

    The two sides also agreed to sign a cooperation agreement during Mr. Mikhail Piotrovsky’s visit to ICESCO headquarters next June, accompanied by a delegation. The agreement will focus primarily on restoring archaeological sites and displaying them in 3D imagery to preserve their original identity. In addition to exchanging scientific and technical expertise in heritage conservation, the agreement aims to foster cultural cooperation between the Hermitage Museum and Islamic countries.

    ICESCO Holds 9th Regional Workshop of Its “Mishkat Educational Leadership” Program for 188 Participants from 15 Countries

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, held a regional workshop titled “Educational Management and Effective Leadership”. The workshop, which was attended in person and via videoconference, benefited 188 educational managers active in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers from 15 countries in Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

    The workshop took place in the Mishkat Hall at ICESCO headquarters on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, 2026. During the event, Dr. Samira Maslouhi, an educational training expert from Morocco, presented and analyzed the concepts of educational management and theories of effective leadership. These two concepts are complementary pillars that ensure the quality of the teaching and learning processes. Dr. Maslouhi emphasized that the quality and accreditation of educational programs primarily rely on enlightened educational leadership capable of understanding complexities, managing change, and translating standards and theories into effective professional practices.

    Using ICESCO’s experience as an example, the expert led practical workshops to demonstrate how educational leadership, supported by reference documents and a clearly defined strategy, can become an organizational force capable of impacting the quality and sustainability of education.

    For the record, this workshop is the 9th in the “Mishkat Educational Leadership” program for the 2025–2026 academic year. It is implemented by ICESCO in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences and in academic collaboration with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Beni Mellal, Morocco. The program trains hundreds of professionals in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

    ICESCO, Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan Sign MoU to Cooperate in Heritage Preservation and Scientific Research

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in heritage protection, promote scientific research, exchange expertise, and enhance the professional development of researchers and specialists through the joint organization of scientific programs, projects, and studies.

    The MoU was signed on Friday, May 15, 2026, in the Tatar capital of Kazan, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Rifkat Minnikhanov, President of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan.

    Following the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s commitment to adopting an open approach with organizations, institutions, and research centers, both within and outside the Islamic world, to promote scientific exchange, disseminate knowledge, and protect the cultural heritage that constitutes the collective memory of diverse cultures.

    Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the partnership between ICESCO and the Academy would foster innovation in developing sustainable solutions for preserving and enriching cultural heritage.

    For his part, Dr. Minnikhanov reviewed the Academy’s efforts to achieve sustainable development and cultivate innovative human capital in science. He praised ICESCO’s contributions in its areas of competence across the Islamic world.

    The five-year MoU includes organizing joint programs to preserve, document, and promote tangible and intangible heritage; promote scientific research and innovation; and conduct applied studies in archaeology, heritage, and the management of museums and cultural resources. It also includes launching initiatives to build the capacities of researchers and specialists, as well as providing opportunities for professional training, academic exchange, and expertise sharing through the joint organization of training workshops, conferences, and seminars.

    ICESCO Director-General Participates in “Russia-Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group’s Annual Meeting

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the annual meeting of the “Russia-Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group, held on Friday, 15 May 2026, in Kazan, under the theme “Shared Values and Principles as the Foundation for Cooperation and Mutual Understanding between the Russian Federation and the Islamic World.” The meeting was attended by Mr. Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation; His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, President (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Group; senior officials from Russia and several Islamic countries; as well as heads and representatives of relevant international and regional organizations.

    At the outset of his address, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that the theme of the meeting is centered on three facts, namely that the relationship between the Islamic world and Russia has deep historical roots that have grown stronger over time; added to this vital relationship is the geographical proximity between the two sides, which sets Russia apart from other major international powers, particularly in light of the third reality: the convergence of human and social values.

    In this context, Dr. AlMalik highlighted that the cultural fabric of Kazan brings together the Russian Federation and the Islamic world, as a shared memory of knowledge, coexistence, and mutual respect. This, he noted, underscores Kazan’s status as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026. He also pointed out that ICESCO seeks to harness culture and education to build the future by developing partnerships with Russian intellectual, cultural, and scientific institutions, and by cooperating with the Republic of Tatarstan to establish a joint award bearing the name of the great poet and thinker Gabdulla Tukay.

    Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by expressing his appreciation to the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the organizers of the annual meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World,” for their efforts to promote dialogue among peoples and disseminate knowledge.