Category: News

Dr. AlMalik: Integrating education within development policies is a sine qua non for achieving social justice

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that achieving development and social justice requires grasping new global trends, namely the integration of education within development and planning policies, in line with the digital transformation revolution and artificial intelligence applications.

This is part of a speech he delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the opening session of the 10th International Parliamentary Forum on Social Justice, organized in Rabat under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, by the House of Councilors in Morocco, in partnership with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, under the theme “Social Justice in a Transforming World: The Need for Equitable Policies for More Resilient Societies,” with the participation of government officials, MPs, and international figures.

The ICESCO Director-General stated that fast-evolving international trends require a fundamental change in education systems and curricula by adopting a scientific vision capable of accommodating the developments and challenges of the digital world in a way that enhances opportunities for social integration and reduces emerging gaps.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that social justice may not come true if manifestations of fragility continue to expand within societies that previously witnessed some degree of stability, calling for more realistic, bold, and creative social policies, and for more effective parliamentary roles in orienting and accompanying such policies and measuring their impact.

He further affirmed that strengthening international cooperation is a key element in confronting common challenges such as terrorism, illegal immigration, and climate and environmental crises. He stressed the importance of tackling these issues with the logic of balanced partnerships and responsibility sharing.

The ICESCO Director-General also called for pooling efforts to determine the nature of the challenges facing the region, and adopting an approach that considers social and economic issues as common ones, praising in this regard the approach of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, at the official and parliamentary levels, in building partnerships and developing tools for joint action.

As part of ICESCO’s Forum “Culture to Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted Internationally renowned Iraqi oud virtuoso Dr. Naseer Shamma on Thursday, 5 February 2026, in the second session of its initiative “Artists of the World, Guests at ICESCO,” with the participation of several ICESCO senior officials, experts, academics, and media professionals.

During the meeting, Dr. Shamma emphasized that music is a universal human language that fosters communication among peoples and reinforces the values of peace. He highlighted its leading role in conveying civilizational and cultural values across societies, noting the richness of the musical heritage of the Islamic world and the need to envision the future through an informed reading of history. He added that the scientific achievements of Islamic civilization and its history continue to face attempts of appropriation and distortion, stressing that music is an integral component of this legacy and must be preserved.

He also pointed out that the growing number of music institutes in Arab countries contributes to enriching musical heritage, noting the increasing interest of students from Southeast Asia in studying at the “Arab Oud Houses,” which he established in several Arab countries.

For his part, Dr. Mohammed Zinelabidine, Head of Culture Sector at ICESCO, who moderated the session, underlined the significance of music and the oud in advancing encyclopedic intellectual pursuits throughout Islamic civilization, from Al-Kindi to Al-Farabi to al-Urmawi.

In turn, Osama Heikal, Head of Media and Communication Sector at the Organization, stressed the importance of safeguarding and promoting Islamic identity, particularly among youth in light of the influence of social media and Artificial Intelligence applications. He underscored that Arab music is an essential part of this cultural heritage and must be strengthened and presented through contemporary tools. While, Dr. Idham Hanash discussed the close relationship between calligraphy and music, explaining that Arab rhetoricians view calligraphy as the moving still, as it is a geometric form that moves in accordance with a musical rhythm.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met on Thursday, 5 February 2026, with Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Mamari, Oman’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Muscat. The two officials discussed prospects for establishing institutional cooperation in areas of shared interest.

The meeting included extensive discussions on cooperation in promoting civilizational values, strengthening the culture of dialogue and coexistence, and supporting educational and cultural programmes that contribute to human development, sustainable development, and respect for the cultural specificities of Islamic societies.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations aimed at positioning the Organization as a hub of civilizational and intellectual outreach, along with key programmes and initiatives implemented for the benefit of its Member States, particularly in the fields of civilizational dialogue, promoting the values of peace and coexistence, and conveying the true image of Islam.

The Director-General expressed his appreciation for the role of the Sultanate of Oman in supporting joint Islamic action and commended the Ministry’s efforts in religious and intellectual awareness. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and developing programmes and projects that contribute to achieving the Organization’s strategic objectives and serving communities across the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Mamari underscored the importance of international partnerships in advancing intellectual and civilizational initiatives, promoting moderate discourse, and supporting education- and knowledge-related causes. He also commended ICESCO’s role in safeguarding cultural heritage, encouraging diversity, empowering youth, supporting women, and fostering cohesive societies capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Muscat. The meeting reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage and implementing joint training programmes in this field.

At the outset, Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting key programmes and initiatives implemented for the benefit of its Member States in the areas of preserving and promoting heritage as a repository of collective memory and a marker of civilizational identity. He noted that the Organization has successfully inscribed more than 724 sites and elements on the Islamic World Heritage List.

Dr. AlMalik emphasized that ICESCO is committed to employing advanced technological tools and enhancing the capacities of specialists working in the restoration and documentation of heritage across its Member States through pioneering programmes and initiatives. He stressed the importance of implementing bilateral training programmes in manuscript preservation and restoration, commending Oman’s institutional expertise in this domain.

The Director-General also highlighted Oman’s rich and diverse heritage, calling for the inscription of the greatest possible number of Omani heritage elements during the 13th Meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, scheduled to be held from 9 to 13 February in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

For his part, Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi expressed his aspiration to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in support of national efforts to safeguard and preserve Omani heritage.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO, along with several heads of sectors at the Ministry.

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the International Conference on the Teaching Profession kicked off in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The Conference was co-organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate of Oman, and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), under the theme “Sustainable Education in the Age of AI,” and saw the participation of ministers and education officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as more than 400 experts, researchers, educators, and representatives of relevant international organizations.

During the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the world today needs teachers who are well-versed in contemporary issues and proficient in the use of modern and advanced tools such as AI. He further emphasized that these technologies will never replace teachers, stating: “No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it will never replace teachers who understand their students, motivate them, and inspire them to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. AlMalik added that the desired synergy requires teachers who continuously develop themselves and adopt a culture of continuous training and learning, thereby improving classroom performance and enhancing the quality of educational outcomes.

Likewise, the Director-General stated that the Organization, which is in the process of finalizing its new program, “Civilizational Upbringing,” reaffirms its commitment to sustain coordination with partners to support an educational approach that preserves identity while promoting openness and humanity. He reiterated his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the Conference and supporting initiatives to improve education and the status of teachers.

For her part, Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education in the Sultanate of Oman, emphasized that the ministries of education in the Gulf countries have become leading models in digital transformation, educational innovation, and the development of resilient education systems. She added that advances in AI have not weakened the role of teachers, but rather redefined their role to become more profound and influential.

Dr. Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Moqbel, ABEGS Director-General, explained that the Conference aligns with the Bureau’s approach to sustainable education and maximizing the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the efficiency of educational systems. He stated that the Conference offers a platform for promoting field research and sharing inspiring experiences and expertise to support teachers’ professional development.

Following the opening session, Dr. AlMalik, along with ministers and senior officials, visited the educational exhibition held on the sidelines of the Conference.

The two-day Conference aims to discuss ways to develop learning environments and promote the integration of AI technologies and educational practices to ensure the quality of the educational process. It also aims to share Gulf and international experiences in teacher training and educational leadership, and support educational and administrative practices that promote sustainable development within the school environment.