The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), held a specialized masterclass titled “Pioneering Intelligent Connectivity for the Future of Generative AI,” with the participation of more than 40 researchers from ICESCO’s Member States.
ICESCO was represented at the session, held in person at its headquarters and online on Monday, 16 February 2026, by Dr. Adel Smeda, Supervisor of the Science and Environment Sector, and by sector experts Dr. Issam Krimi and Dr. Wissam Chehade.
The representatives of ICESCO stressed that this initiative falls within the Organization’s efforts to advance comprehensive digital transformation by supporting the expansion of connectivity infrastructure across Member States, in a way that promotes broader inclusion in the knowledge economy, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
They added that the workshop aligns with ICESCO’s endeavors to develop more inclusive digital ecosystems and broaden prospects for research cooperation in emerging technologies, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and efforts to reduce digital divides across regions and communities.
The masterclass was delivered by Prof. Merouane Debbah, 6G Research Center Director at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates, who presented the outlook for emerging connectivity solutions and their role in enabling AI-driven communication among devices and agents, in a manner that supports innovation and expands access to advanced digital services.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is launching its annual Ramadan series, “Ramadan Whiffs” and “Intellectual Sparks,” for 1447 A.H./2026 A.D. The videos form part of the Organization’s “ICESCO Digital Home” initiative and will be broadcast across its official social media platforms.
Throughout the holy month, episodes of the seventh season will be posted daily, except on Sundays. The series will feature prominent intellectual, cultural, and religious figures from within and beyond the Islamic world, who will present and reflect on key contemporary issues and challenges across fields with intellectual, cultural, and ethical dimensions.
Through this initiative, ICESCO seeks to promote cultural and religious values by delivering focused and meaningful messages grounded in an authentic religious perspective of peace, tolerance, and coexistence, and anchored in a close link between moral development and enlightenment. The Organization also aims to enrich dialogue on major issues and emerging ideas, contribute to renewing and enhancing the fields of thought, culture, knowledge, literature, and science, and build a bridge between leading religious, cultural, and intellectual figures and the wider public to disseminate sound knowledge.
Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Minister of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic and Chairman of the Syrian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, discussed mechanisms for implementing the tripartite partnership agreement to support educational infrastructure in Syria, signed between ICESCO, the Syrian Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the agreement falls within joint efforts to advance the education system in Syria and support its recovery as an ICESCO Member State, noting that this agreement serves as a model for launching similar initiatives in other Islamic world countries facing comparable challenges, thereby promoting solidarity and cooperation among Member States.
For his part, Minister Turko expressed full confidence in ICESCO’s ability to oversee the implementation of the agreement’s provisions, based on an inclusive approach that ensures benefits are extended to all Syrian regions while prioritizing the most affected areas. He also reviewed national efforts to strengthen the education sector and shape a better future for coming generations.
By virtue of the tripartite partnership agreement, both sides agreed to outline the general framework for the implementation phases and the mechanisms for exchanging expertise between the two parties.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, and from the Syrian side, Mr. Abdul Karim Qadri, Secretary-General of the Syrian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, with Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in scientific research and knowledge exchange between ICESCO Member States and Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, held at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat and attended by Ambassador Nazim Samadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Morocco and his country’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for Azerbaijan’s confidence in ICESCO and its continued support for the implementation of pioneering initiatives, programs, and projects in the fields of education, science, and scientific research in ICESCO Member States, foremost among them the signing of the strategic partnership agreement to support educational infrastructure in Syria, aimed at rehabilitating 100 damaged schools and building 10 new educational facilities.
Dr. AlMalik noted that the Organization has attracted numerous competencies and talents from Azerbaijan, with the aim of building bridges of cooperation and professional and knowledge exchange between Central Asian countries and the rest of the Islamic world.
Mr. Amrullayev reviewed the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen the education system through the development and implementation of several initiatives and the integration of universities and research centers into the scientific research ecosystem. Moreover, he expressed his country’s willingness to develop further programs and projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to enhance university and student exchange.
Representing ICESCO at the meeting were Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Dinara Guliyeva, Head of the Human Development Division at the Social and Human Sciences Sector; and Mr. Murad Aliyev, Expert in the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.
Reflecting the bonds of brotherhood that unite the eastern and western regions of the Islamic world, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic signed a promising tripartite strategic partnership agreement aimed at rehabilitating 100 damaged schools and constructing 10 new educational facilities in Syria, with a total budget of USD 30 million, in support of the country’s recovery efforts.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General; Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan; and Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education and Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
The signing ceremony opened with remarks by Dr. AlMalik, who emphasized that the occasion reflects a spirit of genuine cooperation and a shared commitment to generously supporting the reconstruction of Syrian schools and strengthening a partnership that places education at the heart of development, expressing his deep appreciation to H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and to the Azerbaijani government for this noble initiative that demonstrates a deep understanding of the value of education and its impact on social stability and on shaping the future.
ICESCO’s Director-General noted that Syria is moving with unwavering determination toward rehabilitating its educational institutions and enhancing their readiness to serve future generations, particularly after the severe damage to more than seven thousand schools. He praised the national Syrian efforts under the leadership of H.E. President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the contributions of brotherly and friendly countries supporting these efforts, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, alongside support from several international organizations concerned with educational development.
For his part, Mr. Amrullayev affirmed that ICESCO and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Science and Education enjoy close cooperation built on mutual trust, noting that the partnership agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, expanding access to knowledge, and achieving sustainable development, as supporting Syria in strengthening its educational infrastructure aligns with his country’s firm belief that education is the driving force of development and social progress.
Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko expressed his deep appreciation to ICESCO, describing it as a civilizational beacon carrying out the cultural mission of the Islamic world, and commending the Organization’s relentless efforts in serving educational causes.
The Syrian Minister also extended profound gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan, its government, and its people for their noble support, which reflects the highest meanings of Islamic solidarity and human compassion, reaffirming his country’s unwavering belief that education is the key to sustainable development and the true bridge toward building a new Syria.
The agreement, which extends to 31 December 2030, establishes a strategic partnership among the three parties. Azerbaijan will provide financial support, while ICESCO will oversee the implementation of the agreement’s provisions in cooperation with the relevant Syrian authorities, with the goal of revitalizing the educational sector through rehabilitating its infrastructure and strengthening its institutions.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), through its Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, organized a workshop entitled “Pedagogy First: Integrating AI-Powered Tools into Arabic Language Teaching,” in cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in the Kingdom of Morocco. This initiative is part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to develop Arabic language education and strengthen its presence in international educational contexts.
The workshop, held at the Faculty of Literature and Humanities in the city of Beni Mellal on Saturday, 14 February 2026, kicked off with an address delivered by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. In his remarks, he outlined the Organization’s strategic vision for advancing Arabic language teaching, emphasizing the importance of adopting a pedagogical approach in leveraging artificial intelligence technologies while preserving the central role of the teacher and maintaining a balance between technological innovation and sound pedagogical foundations.
For his part, Dr. Mhamed Alaoui, Director of the University Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, underscored the importance of such scientific initiatives in developing the mechanisms of Arabic language teaching and enhancing its openness to technological advancements. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Head of the Language Training Division at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.
Subsequently, Dr. Attia Youseif, Senior Lecturer at Indiana University Bloomington (USA), delivered a presentation showcasing practical models for employing artificial intelligence tools in teaching Arabic. He also guided participants in redesigning learning activities according to clear pedagogical principles, while taking into account the accuracy of linguistic outputs, academic integrity, and cultural appropriateness.
The workshop also focused on integrating artificial intelligence tools based on learning objectives and linguistic competencies, with practical applications of tools such as Gemini and customized GPT models for teaching Arabic.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the globally renowned Tunisian artist Lotfi Bouchnak on Monday, February 16, 2026, via videoconference, as part of the third session of its project “Artists of the World, Guests of ICESCO” within the framework of the forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” which aims to contribute to the use of creativity to promote intercultural dialogue, enrich civilizational debate, and affirm the status of art as a universal language for peace and coexistence.
During the opening of the dialogue session, which was moderated by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director General of ICESCO for the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, praised Lotfi Bouchnak, emphasizing that his creativity emerged in Tunisia to shine all over the world. He added that the Tunisian artist is known for his steadfast positions on major issues, describing him as “the singular in the plural,” who learned from the great artists of the Arab world to establish a school of his own uniting the East and the West.
In his speech, Bouchnak reviewed his musical education and his memorization of the works of dozens of Arab and international musicians before beginning his artistic production, highlighting the need for the poet and musician to work in harmony for the text to complement the melody. Bouchnak also commended the intelligence of the Arab audience and its ability to distinguish between the good and the bad, calling for the promotion of culture in its broadest sense, given its importance to the economies of ICESCO Member States.
For his part, Dr. Omar Halli noted the great popularity enjoyed by Bouchnak, attributing this to his simplicity and closeness to the public. In the same context, Dr. Idham Mohamed Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscript Center, pointed out that Bouchnak is one of the prominent figures who contributed to shaping Arab cultural identity in the modern era.
The panel discussion was attended by a number of the Organization’s leaders and experts, as well as the great Moroccan artist Samira El Kadri.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held on Friday, 13 February 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, a roundtable celebrating the 9th centenary anniversary of the birth of Ibn Rochd, titled “The Legacy of Ibn Rochd: Landmarks for Thinking Tomorrow”. The event was organized in partnership with the French Institute in Morocco and brought together a distinguished group of philosophers, researchers, and specialists in Medieval Thought.
This initiative is part of the “Philosophical Encounters” program launched by ICESCO’s Center of Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, aiming to provide a space for intellectual dialogue and the exchange of views on issues of philosophy and knowledge, while deepening debate on philosophical heritage and its continually renewed questions.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, stressed that commemorating the 9th centenary anniversary of the birth of Ibn Rochd is an invitation to revisit a body of thought whose modernity remains striking. He recalled that certain intellectual figures constitute a living human heritage whose reinterpretation is essential for understanding present challenges and contributing to shaping future choices.
Dr. Hammami highlighted the importance of engaging with Ibn Rochd’s thought at a time of technological, environmental, and social transformations, emphasizing the need to place reason at the core of understanding the world and interpreting its phenomena. He added that foresight is not merely a predictive technique but a long-term intellectual culture.
For his part, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Brenet, French philosopher and Professor of Arabic Philosophy at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, noted that Ibn Rochd’s works, which have not yet all been edited and published, have had a profound impact on various intellectual and religious traditions. He added that each era returns to Ibn Rochd to question its own concerns, including contemporary issues related to Artificial Intelligence.
The roundtable was moderated by Dr. Pauline Koetschet, Director of the Department of Arabic Studies at the French Institute for the Near East (IFPO). The sessions featured specialized scholarly presentations, during which Dr. Fouad Ben Ahmed, Professor of Philosophy at Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania in Morocco, offered a critical reading of the thesis of the “death of philosophy in Islam after Ibn Rochd,” arguing that it is based on a reductive historical conception and calling for moving beyond simplistic interpretations of intellectual history.
Safia Zghal, researcher in philosophy at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, examined modern uses of the figure of Ibn Rochd through the early twentieth-century debate between Mohammed Abdo and Farah Anton, showing how each relied on Ibn Rochd to defend a distinct vision of the relationship between religion, reason, and modernity.
At an event celebrating poetry as humanity’s second language, the historic Chellah site in Rabat hosted a poetry evening organized by the Book Club Le Matin to present and read the poetry collection “Khamīsiyyāt” by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The event took place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, in the presence of several ambassadors accredited to Morocco, along with poets and critics from the Arab world, and cultural figures.
Opening the meeting, held under the theme “Poetry as a Space for Wisdom and Dialogue,” Mohammed Haitami, Director-General of the Moroccan media group Le Matin, delivered remarks highlighting the diverse professional paths of Dr. AlMalik. He noted that hosting such a guest is part of honoring prominent Arab and international figures in the fields of literature and thought.
The evening continued with a presentation by Moroccan media professional Widad Benmoussa, who introduced “Khamīsiyyāt” as a work built upon a temporal commitment, transforming writing into a weekly rendezvous with the self and the world. She highlighted the collection’s diverse poems, distinguished by refined language that draws its strength from the rich traditions of Arabic poetry.
In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik outlined his vision of poetry as a bridge of values, a domain that deepens wisdom, and a means of bringing cultures closer together. He explained that when words are written with awareness and spoken with sincerity, their influence expands and takes root in people’s consciousness.
Dr. AlMalik shared details of his experience, saying that he sought to gather his poetry in “a single vessel” combining four elements: wisdom, Arabic calligraphy, fine art, and poetic verse. He recalled his early beginnings with poetry writing in primary school, when he composed his first poems, and how he later returned to writing despite the demands of studying medicine before opening up to publishing his poems in Saudi and Arab newspapers and continuing his writing project with a steady rhythm.
He noted that he maintained the weekly writing of “Khamīsiyyāt” for 11 consecutive years, producing five-line poems marked by a density of meaning, capturing moments of human reflection and questions of identity and values. He also addressed the act of composing poetry in the age of artificial intelligence, underscoring that lived experience is the substance that grants a poem its uniqueness.
He added that he did not adhere to traditional critical frameworks such as unity of theme, verse, or poem, explaining that the initial spark of his text may stem from an event that attracts attention, a season of guidance and tranquility, or a human behavior oscillating between the admirable and the flawed, prompting either praise or critique. He noted that a single “Khamīsiyyah” may contain multiple ideas, shifting it from the logic of “unity of the poem” to the “unity of feeling.”
Dr. AlMalik then recited selected pieces from “Khamīsiyyāt,” which ranged across themes of faith, wisdom, ethics, and praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His reading received strong engagement and appreciation from the audience. The evening concluded with an open discussion exploring the collection from various angles, after which Dr. AlMalik signed copies of his works and presented them to the attendees.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation and in cooperation with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, implemented the fifth stop of the “Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud International Program for Language Training: Arabic Language in Central Asia.” The event was organized in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 10 to 12 February 2026.
The program kicked off with an official reception at the University, which included a tour of its departments and an introduction to its academic history. This was followed by an expanded meeting to explore prospects for cooperation in training and scientific research related to teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Saad Nasir Abdullah Abuhaimed, representatives of the partner foundation, and the University’s leadership.
Subsequently, the scheduled training workshops began, with the participation of more than 40 trainees, including faculty members and postgraduate students. Four specialized workshops were delivered by Dr. Adham Hamwiya, Head of the Language Development Section at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. The sessions focused on the latest approaches adopted in teaching Arabic, ways to enhance classroom practices, and discussions on challenges associated with teaching Arabic in the Uzbek context.
The program concluded with a closing session dedicated to reviewing outcomes, presenting the final report and recommendations, and awarding certificates of completion to participants.
It is worth noting that the program was launched in September 2025, with previous stops held in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bashkortostan, and Uzbekistan. The initiative will conclude in Azerbaijan, reflecting a vision grounded in partnership, integration, and the expansion of language training impact across the region.
