Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) released the eighth issue of its comprehensive quarterly cultural magazine. The new issue features a diverse selection of intellectual, literary, and cultural topics that open new avenues for dialogue on identity, civilizational coexistence, shifts in literary creativity, ways to safeguard heritage, and the transformation of cultural memory into a source of contemporary knowledge and creativity.

The issue, published under the supervision of ICESCO’s Center for Poetry and Literature, opens with an interview with Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars. He discussed the role of dialogue in promoting understanding among religions and cultures, consolidating the values of moderation and coexistence, and the responsibility of educational and media institutions to counter extremism and hate speech.

The thematic special of this issue is devoted to “Poetics of the Novel: The Dialectic of Narrative and Language,” with contributions from leading critics and researchers, foremost among them Dr. Said Yaktine, Dr. Hatem Fattnassi, Dr. Zohour Karam, and Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Ali. Their contributions form part of ICESCO’s celebration of World Novel Week. The thematic special sheds light on transformations in the Arab novel, its aesthetic and intellectual questions, its relationship with reality and modernity, and its capacity to renew narrative through language.

The issue also includes an interview with Moroccan poet Dr. Mohammed Bennis, conducted by Dr. Abderrahmane Ghanimi, tracing key stages in his poetic and intellectual journey and exploring his views on modernity and writing. Other articles examine the shaping of meaning through Moroccan heritage architecture, as well as the aesthetics and the reframing of the aesthetic question in Islamic thought.

As part of its focus on heritage as a living memory and a source of knowledge, the issue highlights the city of Sidi Bou Said and its inscription on the ICESCO List of Heritage in the Islamic World. It also explores the presence of women in Arabic calligraphy and food in Islamic heritage as part of social and cultural memory, alongside other literary and cultural materials reflecting the diversity of experiences and the richness of the Islamic world’s civilizational heritage.

ICESCO invites all interested readers to explore the contents of the magazine’s eighth issue at the following link: https://icesco.org/xznk

To access the archive of previous issues, please visit: https://icesco.org/aec9

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Marco Lucchesi, President of the National Library of Brazil, to explore ways and mechanisms for cooperation in promoting dialogue among civilizations between the Islamic world and Latin American countries, translating and publishing books and other works, protecting and promoting heritage and manuscripts, building youth’s capacities in the cultural field, and fostering a culture of peace.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, was attended by Mr. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of Morocco. Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to facilitate the exchange of expertise among its Member States and underscored the importance the Organization attaches to cooperation with Brazil, an Observer Member of ICESCO, in the fields of culture, literature, and academic exchange. This cooperation reflects ICESCO’s approach of openness and engagement with all.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate in developing programs and projects to promote reading among children in the most underserved countries and raise young people’s awareness of their cultural identity and strengthen their pride in it. He also proposed jointly organizing seminars and workshops to foster civilizational exchange and peace between the Islamic world and Latin America, with the participation of thinkers and philosophers from both sides.

For his part, Dr. Marco Lucchesi outlined the history of the National Library of Brazil, one of the world’s leading libraries, which houses 10 million books. He expressed the Library’s willingness to exchange expertise and books on the history and civilization of the Islamic world with ICESCO’s Sultan Qaboos Library, collaborate on translating a range of books and other works, and support ICESCO’s digital library.

Following the meeting, the Brazilian delegation toured the Sultan Qaboos Library, where its members viewed the Library’s modern facilities, books, and cultural and knowledge resources. They also visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector and Supervisor of the Translation and Publishing Center; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of the Islamic World Heritage Center; and Dr. Hani Albalawi, Expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed the Organization’s full support for Palestinian students’ right to learn, innovate, and contribute to shaping the future. He also emphasized the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence to help Palestinian youth continue their education in ways adapted to the resources available to schools and universities, expressing ICESCO’s willingness to provide Palestinian institutions with the necessary support.

Dr. AlMalik made these remarks in a recorded address delivered during the Third International Conference on Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, held under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enhancing AI Adoption in Education in Palestine.” The conference was organized by the Palestinian National Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Center, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, on 14 October 2026 in Ramallah, under the patronage of H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas.

Dr. AlMalik explained that artificial intelligence is the language of the future, emphasizing that Muslim countries must help shape and guide its development for the benefit of society. He added that the value of digital transformation lies in its impact on people and the opportunities it creates. This requires universities to provide connectivity tools, develop skills, and prepare graduates for lifelong learning. He also commended universities for their role as hubs of innovation and critical thinking.

The ICESCO Director-General reviewed the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States in disseminating knowledge through several initiatives. Foremost among these are the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, launched in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA); the ICESCO AI Index for the Islamic World, developed in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education; the announcement of the 10K AI Leaders Training Program, in partnership with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE); and the release of the enriched third edition of the Multilingual Glossary of Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by calling for an assessment of Palestinian institutions’ readiness to employ artificial intelligence technologies in education and the identification of requirements related to digital infrastructure, training, and governance. He also called for encouraging students to harness their creative potential.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 225th session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in Paris, France, from 5 to 20 October 2026.

In her address to the Board, Ms. Somia Djacta, Head of ICESCO’s Office at UNESCO, emphasized the importance of harnessing education, science, and culture to address global challenges through international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy. She also highlighted ICESCO’s commitment to advancing responsible artificial intelligence through a number of pioneering initiatives and programs.

Ms. Djacta underscored the importance of education for sustainable development, citing ICESCO’s partnership with UNESCO to launch the “Global Dashboard to Monitor Progress in Greening Education,” which supports efforts to green education in Member States. She also outlined ICESCO’s efforts to safeguard cultural heritage and promote intercultural dialogue.

Several members of the Media Department team at the Media and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the international workshop titled “Combating Counterfeiting and Enhancing Trust.” The workshop was organized by The Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA) in cooperation with Russian Sputnik Agency, with the participation of representatives of OIC Organs, news agencies, and media institutions from several countries. ICESCO’s participation reflects its commitment to keeping pace with the rapid transformations reshaping the media landscape in the wake of the artificial intelligence revolution.

Held via videoconference on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the workshop aimed to present the prominent deepfake methods and technologies, forms of deception, and detection tools. It also examined the types of deepfakes affecting the media sector and the role of media institutions in upholding credibility standards and strengthening trust in digital content.

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Mohammed bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, Director-General of UNA, delivered on his behalf by Mr. Zubair Al-Ansari, Media Advisor to the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA). He noted that the workshop was being held against the backdrop of the challenges facing journalism and the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence technologies and tools. These challenges, he explained, affect media credibility and underscore the media’s responsibility to strengthen verification mechanisms.

This was followed by a keynote presentation delivered by Mr. Wasim Suliman and Mr. Yazan Ajouz, Editors-in-Chief of Sputnik Arabic.
They emphasized that the artificial intelligence revolution and the deepfake phenomenon have created a new reality and challenge in the media landscape by enabling the falsification and distortion of facts.
The presentation highlighted the agency’s practical experience in confronting fabricated media content and its response mechanisms through a “verification protocol” that includes source analysis, content examination, and information review before a final decision is made on whether to publish. It also presented the agency’s “multi-layer verification” model, a rigorous process involving reverse searches and contact with witnesses before any publication decision is taken.

During the discussion, participants stressed the importance of establishing a professional and ethical framework for the use of artificial intelligence in the media, as well as intensifying public awareness campaigns to counter deepfakes.
The Sector was represented by Dr. Chaimae Boulifa, Asmae Habchaoui, Walid Chakouri, and Selman El Kinani.

The Strategic Foresight Forum on Global Youth Competencies and Lifelong Learning opened on Monday, 12 October 2026, in Doha, Qatar. The three-day event is jointly organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) in Saudi Arabia. It brings together experts and specialists to strengthen young people’s capacity to navigate contemporary transformations and contribute to shaping the future.

In a recorded address at the Forum’s opening, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, affirmed that young people, as the architects of the future, need quality education, relevant skills, and genuine opportunities to build their capacities and strengthen their participation in innovation and leadership. He underscored the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, and adaptability, alongside the responsible use of technology.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO established its specialized Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence as part of its efforts to promote a culture of foresight across its Member States. He noted that foresight helps societies understand transformations, identify opportunities and risks, envision alternatives, and connect young people’s skills with the decisions shaping the future of their communities.

He reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to support youth, foremost among them the Young Professionals Program (YPP); the Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program (LTIPS); the “Future Leaders Qualification: Developing International Skills for Sustainable Youth Leadership in the Middle East and North Africa” Program, implemented in partnership with PMU; and the program to train 10,000 leaders in artificial intelligence.

For his part, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harami, Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, stated that preparing for the future begins with engaging young people by honing their skills and instilling the values that enable them to navigate and contribute to developing their world. He stressed that investing in youth includes providing opportunities for them to participate in decision-making, set priorities, and devise solutions.

Dr. Issa bin Hassan AlAnsari, President of PMU, highlighted the responsibility of educational institutions to prepare young people for a world in which knowledge is continually renewed and the demands of life and work are constantly changing. He noted the gap between the knowledge and skills graduates acquire during their studies and those they need, calling for a deeper understanding of this gap and for education to be developed in ways that enable graduates to continue learning and adapt to emerging developments.

Mr. Salem Saeed Al Mansoori, Consultant at the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, emphasized the importance of investing in people as the primary drivers of development and as individuals capable of turning difficulties into opportunities. He noted that the Forum’s themes and focus areas align with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Following the opening ceremony, a plenary session titled “Youth and Future Leadership” was held. The Forum also features sessions and workshops on the future of education, skills, work, and artificial intelligence, providing a platform to exchange expertise and develop initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of youth in building the societies of the future.