Category: News

The Culture Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a scientific and cultural meeting via videoconference on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, hosting Dr. Nicole Duperret, psychiatrist and President of the Association Française de Musicothérapie. The meeting was organized as part of the “Global Thinkers Guests of ICESCO” program, with the aim of promoting culture as a driver of human development by supporting initiatives that bring together scientific knowledge, artistic practice, and societal engagement.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, who emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary approaches that connect culture, health, and well-being from a humanistic and social perspective. He highlighted the growing role of artistic practices in shaping innovative cultural policies across the Islamic world.

In her presentation, Dr. Duperret reviewed her academic and professional journey and highlighted the positive effects of music on neurodevelopment and emotional balance. She noted that music therapy represents a key tool for self-expression and personal reconstruction, particularly in therapeutic settings, where it is increasingly recognized as an approved complementary medical approach.

She explained that this form of therapy, through sessions based on musical improvisation and the use of instruments, enables patients to express their emotions and better understand their suffering, while also contributing to enhanced social integration. In this respect, she stressed the importance of taking into account each patient’s cultural and musical identity to ensure appropriate therapeutic support and strengthen the effectiveness of the treatment process.

Dr. Duperret also addressed institutional developments in the field of music therapy since the beginning of the current millennium, pointing to the establishment of specialized associations, the development of university partnerships, and the strengthening of the academic recognition of this discipline.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Zineb Bougrine and Mr. Frédéric Jambu, experts from ICESCO’s Culture Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Mohammad Suhail Almadani, Founder and CEO of Classera, on Monday, 13 April 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, to discuss ways to employ modern technology in developing educational systems and to launch an initiative on smart education, in implementation of the MoU signed between the two parties.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the importance of developing partnerships with organizations, institutions, and research centers to carry out scientific studies and research that identify ways and mechanisms to enhance education systems in Member States, taking into account their specific needs. He also highlighted the necessity of exchanging expertise and knowledge between ICESCO and Classera in utilizing modern technologies and artificial intelligence applications so that the education sector can keep pace with future changes.

For his part, Mr. Al Madani expressed Classera’s willingness for joint cooperation in developing and implementing an initiative on smart education, with the aim of integrating governments and educational institutions in the Islamic world into the process of transforming the education sector.

The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Director of the Center for Translation and Publishing; Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department; and Dr. Waqas Afridi, Expert in the Education Sector.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the International Scientific Conference on “The Role and Significance of Amir Temur and the Timurid Civilization in World History and Culture,” held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, to mark the 690th anniversary of the birth of Amir Timur. The conference brought together researchers, historians, cultural stakeholders, and representatives of several international organizations to discuss various dimensions of the intellectual and cultural legacy of the Timurid era, ranging from governance and military strategy to architecture, calligraphy, manuscripts, and applied arts.

During the conference’s plenary session, held from 9 to 12 April 2026, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Organization, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Center for Islamic Civilization in advancing the preservation and promotion of the shared heritage of the Islamic world. He noted that the Timurid era offers a historical model demonstrating that investment in knowledge, culture, and institutions generates a legacy of deeper and more enduring impact.

Mr. Karimov added that the Timurid era represents a landmark in the history of Islamic civilization, stressing that its legacy in sciences, literature, arts, and institution-building continues to be strongly reflected in ICESCO’s work to this day. He further considered that the conference reinforces the Organization’s conviction that Central Asia, as the homeland of a number of eminent scholars, remains well positioned to contribute to shaping what Islamic civilization will offer the world in the future.

On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Anar Karimov held a meeting with Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, to discuss arrangements for the International Scientific Conference on the legacy of Imam al-Bukhari, scheduled to be jointly organized in June 2026, as well as prospects for cooperation in promoting the heritage of Imam al-Maturidi and Imam al-Tirmidhi.

The conference concluded with a roundtable during which a number of international organizations announced their support for the initiative of His Excellency the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at promoting the scientific and spiritual heritage of leading Islamic scholars, in partnership with ICESCO and the Center for Islamic Civilization.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the 14th edition of “Zahria of Marrakech” – the Orange Blossom Distillation Season, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, in partnership with Al Muniya Marrakech Association for the Revival and Preservation of Morocco’s Heritage, in the presence of a distinguished group of intellectuals, writers, critics, and cultural actors.

The participation of ICESCO’s Deputy Director-General comes within the framework of the Organization’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage. On Friday, 10 April 2026, he took part in the literary session dubbed “Majlis Al-Koutoubiyine” (the Assembly of Bookmen), which featured the presentation of his literary novel “Oulu Baqiya”, with contributions from a number of critics who offered readings of this literary work, as part of a broader cultural and intellectual program accompanying this heritage event.

During the session, Dr. Benarafa emphasized that “Zahria of Marrakech” holds particular importance as it is inscribed on ICESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. He noted that this gathering represents a living model of the care devoted to Morocco’s civilizational heritage, as well as ongoing efforts to safeguard and transmit it to future generations, in connection with its cultural, social, and environmental dimensions.

The program of the 14th edition, held from March 22 to April 12, 2026, includes a wide range of cultural, artistic, and scientific activities, such as live workshops on orange blossom distillation, seminars on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, artistic and musical performances, exhibitions of traditional products, and literary and intellectual forums.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), based in Switzerland, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at building the capacities of teachers, professors, and educational staff in the fields of education, future skills, and modern technologies across Member States.

The MoU was signed on Friday, 10 April 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Mr. Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director-General of IB, in the presence of several high-ranking officials from both organizations.

The Memorandum provides for enhanced exchange of expertise between the two parties regarding challenges in the education sector and the needs of ICESCO Member States, as well as the organization of joint activities, conferences, seminars, and discussion sessions to examine and address key educational issues.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that the MoU marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership for the joint implementation of various programs aimed at developing future skills and critical thinking. He highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation with academic institutions and centers to advance educational infrastructure in the Islamic world and to provide training opportunities for youth to refine their skills.

He also reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to attract competencies from within and beyond the Islamic world to exchange expertise, disseminate knowledge, and develop initiatives and activities that meet the needs of Member States.

For his part, Mr. Heinonen commended ICESCO’s efforts in promoting education and advancing its systems through a number of impactful programs and projects. He also noted the shared priorities of the two organizations, particularly the adoption of forward-looking and flexible approaches to integrate younger generations into the process of building a brighter future.

The signing ceremony was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Ahmed Al-Banyan, Director of the Translation and Publishing Center; Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Director-General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector; and Dr. Waqas Afridi, Expert at the Education Sector.