The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released the fourth series of specialized studies in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. This release is part of the “Specialized Studies” project overseen by the Center.
The new series comprises ten peer-reviewed books authored by a select group of experts and specialists from nine countries: Qatar, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, Syria, Türkiye, Morocco, Jordan, and Germany. The publications address contemporary linguistic and educational topics such as assessment strategies, language games, heritage language, and the integration of scientific content into curricula, among others.
These publications aim to support scientific research in the field of Arabic language instruction for non-arabic speakers and align with global trends in curriculum development and educational tools.
The fourth series includes the following titles:
Integrating Nonverbal Communication in Teaching Arabic to Foreigners: “The Wise Understands the Gesture” – An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners.
Feedback Strategies in Arabic Language Teaching Programs for Non-Arabic Speakers: An Approach Toward Using Authentic Assessment.
Language Games: A Methodological and Practical Perspective.
Heritage Language: Concepts, Competencies, and Practices – The Case of Arabic in Germany.
Developing Educational Series in Light of the Reference Framework for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers: Authorship, Teaching, and Training – “Imta‘”.
Towards a Functional Curriculum for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers Working in the Media Sector.
Reading Comprehension in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers: Teaching Strategies and Testing Methods.
Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Arabic Language Learners: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Models.
Teaching Stories to Non-Arabic-Speaking Children.
Scientific Content in Arabic Language Curricula for Non-Arabic Speakers: Toward an Integrated Didactic Approach.
ICESCO offers these publications for free download on its website at the following link: https://icesco.org/vjxt
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that the Organization is proud of the remarkable development in its relations with the Kingdom of Morocco over the past five years. This is clearly reflected in the activities, initiatives, and programs carried out in cooperation with relevant Moroccan bodies, totaling around 370, some of which received the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah protect him.
Dr. AlMalik made these remarks during his address at the regular session of the General Assembly of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, held on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at the Centre des Formations et des Rencontres Nationales. The session was chaired by Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
Moreover, the ICESCO Director-General presented an overview of the key activities implemented in partnership with Moroccan bodies, covering the fields of education, science, environment, culture, humanities, civilizational dialogue, and foresight. He noted that ICESCO’s hosting of numerous regional and international conferences in Morocco has contributed to establishing the Kingdom as a leading destination for global events and activities.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ICESCO established five academic chairs at several prestigious Moroccan universities and signed over 20 cooperation agreements with ministries and institutions involved in education, science, and culture. He also expressed pride in the growing presence of Moroccan professionals at ICESCO, which has significantly increased since 2019.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a virtual meeting with Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), to discuss arrangements for organizing a preparatory meeting aimed at coordinating the visions of ICESCO Member States ahead of the Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, scheduled to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia later this year.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership between ICESCO and the UNAOC, emphasizing the importance of joint cooperation in implementing programs and initiatives that foster dialogue and intercultural coexistence, especially in light of growing global challenges.
The meeting addressed the necessary arrangements for holding the preparatory meeting, which will be hosted by the Republic of Tunisia in partnership with ICESCO and the UNAOC. The goal is to formulate a unified vision for the Islamic world on fundamental issues such as promoting peaceful coexistence, combating extremism, and supporting international peace and security, in preparation for presenting it at the Global Forum.
The two sides also discussed the most suitable timing for holding the meeting and the formation of a joint committee to handle financial and logistical aspects, in addition to ways to enhance the participation of Member States, thereby contributing to intensified efforts aimed at consolidating the values of peace, coexistence, and dialogue among civilizations.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, to cooperate in areas of shared interest, primarily artificial intelligence and strategic foresight for future cities.
The agreement was signed via videoconference by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Eng. Abdulrahman Hisham Al-Asfour, Secretary-General of the Arab Towns Organization, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik said that cooperation with the Arab Towns Organization is an important step toward developing urban policies focused on heritage protection, building resilient and smart cities, and enhancing community partnerships. Dr. AlMalik noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to more sustainable and human-centered cities.
Dr. AlMalik reviewed data and insights on global urban growth, stressing the need to build sustainable smart cities that prioritize quality of life and human well-being. Moreover, he highlighted ICESCO’s ongoing initiatives to protect cultural and urban heritage and build local capacities in artificial intelligence and urban planning.
For his part, Eng. Abdulrahman Al Asfour welcomed the signing of the MoU, describing it as a sign of both sides’ commitment to cooperation in support of cities and communities in the Arab and Islamic worlds. He noted that this partnership is grounded in ICESCO’s strong international reputation and leading role in education, science, and culture, and that it will help create new opportunities for impactful initiatives that enhance cities’ resilience to present and future challenges.
Founded on 15 March 1967 and headquartered in Kuwait, ATO is a regional, non-governmental, and independent body that specializes in the affairs of cities and municipalities in the Arab world. It seeks to design future cities with contemporary architecture while preserving Arab-Islamic identity and heritage, and works to strengthen the role of modern cities as attractive places to live and work.
In a major ceremony held on Monday, June 23, 2025, on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) released an academic book titled “Al-Farabi and His Contributions Throughout Human History”.
The book features several themes addressing Al-Farabi’s influence on human philosophy, his concept of the utopian state, and modern interpretations of his thought, along with his unique ability to unite the arts and sciences. It was authored by 25 researchers from various countries of the Islamic world.
In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, emphasized that the book serves as an invitation to revive encyclopedic thought and reclaim Islamic philosophy, which has contributed significantly to the development of human civilization and paved the way for the advancement of knowledge in both the East and West. He noted that Al-Farabi left behind a timeless scientific legacy that combined philosophy, logic, music, and politics.
Dr. AlMalik also explained that the book’s four themes aim to highlight the diverse intellectual dimensions of Al-Farabi, including his contributions to the development of a comprehensive philosophical vision, his theories in political and scientific philosophy, and his work in the philosophy of music and the harmonization of art and science.
The Director-General further stressed that this publication marks the first phase of an ambitious project through which ICESCO seeks to revive the legacy of leading thinkers and scientists of the Islamic world, through a series of conferences and academic publications designed to bring their contributions to life.
For her part, Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, stated that the book is the result of tireless efforts to honor the legacy of a great thinker who profoundly impacted the spiritual heritage of humanity. She congratulated ICESCO on this outstanding publication, which coincides with the anniversary of Al-Farabi’s birth, and described it as a valuable addition to the intellectual and cultural repositories of the Islamic world’s libraries.
Speaking next, Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, highlighted the university’s commitment to reviving Al-Farabi’s legacy on the global intellectual and cultural stage. He noted that the book is the product of international academic collaboration and stands as clear evidence of the growing interest in Al-Farabi’s enduring intellectual contributions.
This publication is a key outcome of the International Conference on Islamic Scholars, organized by ICESCO in October 2023, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Rabat, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. The Conference recommended the promotion of Al-Farabi’s rich intellectual legacy across various scientific fields.
On Monday, 23 June 2025, Porto-Novo, the capital of the Republic of Benin, hosted the inauguration ceremony of the ICESCO–Hamdan Bin Rashid Global Arabic Language Caravan in non-Arabic-speaking West African countries. The Caravan sets off from Benin and will continue its journey through Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
The Caravan aims to develop teachers’ language competencies and encourage the adoption of modern teaching methods that leverage digital technologies, thereby contributing to the advancement of Arabic language education programs in West Africa and strengthening the language’s presence in the region’s educational and cultural life. This initiative falls within ICESCO’s broader efforts to promote the Arabic language in multilingual African communities and to build the capacities of teachers specializing in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by numerous official and academic figures, including Dr. Okpeicha Abossèdé Paulette, Secretary-General of the Beninese National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO (MEMP), along with officials from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Benin, university professors, and representatives of prominent religious, educational, and social organizations.
ICESCO was represented at the ceremony by Dr. Anas Hossam Said Al-Nuaimi, expert at the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, who is overseeing the linguistic program of the Caravan for five days, in collaboration with national expert Dr. Lassissi Bassirou.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. The two parties discussed avenues for enhancing cooperation in knowledge exchange, artificial intelligence, youth capacity-building, and the promotion of peace and tolerance.
At the outset of the meeting, which was also attended by Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco and Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik praised the fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakh institutions. He highlighted joint efforts such as organizing conferences on prominent Muslim world figures and implementing youth training programmes in fields including technology, innovation, and smart agriculture.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to deepening partnerships with leading academic institutions in the Islamic world, recognizing their scientific and intellectual contributions. He expressed his intention to strengthen collaboration with Al-Farabi University through knowledge exchange initiatives and youth capacity-building programmes.
For his part, Dr. Tuimebayev commended ICESCO’s recognized efforts to advance higher education and scientific research across its Member States. He proposed the establishment of an ICESCO office at Al-Farabi University in Almaty to help foster academic and research cooperation among universities in Kazakhstan and neighboring Member States.
The two parties agreed to form a joint working group to explore the implementation of programmes and projects in artificial intelligence, sustainable peacebuilding, and preparing youth for future professions.
At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Tuimebayev exchanged commemorative shields and gifts.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector.
On Monday, 23 June 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held three separate meetings at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat with presidents and representatives from Al Qasimia University and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) of the Sultanate of Oman. The meetings focused on exploring avenues for academic cooperation and the development of higher education in light of ongoing digital transformations.
During the meetings, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that the future of higher education in the Islamic world depends on the ability of academic institutions to embrace digital transformation. He affirmed that smart universities represent an advanced model for addressing modern challenges. In this context, he reviewed ICESCO’s programs supporting open higher education and its initiatives aimed at training academic staff in the use of digital education tools and platforms. He also called for building effective bridges of cooperation between traditional and digital universities to close the gap and enhance integration.
In his meeting with the ICESCO Director-General, which was also attended by Mr. Salim Omar Salim, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah, Dr. Mansoor Alawar, Chancellor of HBMSU, outlined the University’s vision of leveraging AI to develop future educational models. He stressed the importance of training academic personnel and modernizing university administrative systems to keep pace with the evolving educational landscape.
Dr. Jamal Salim Al Turaifi, President of Al Qasimia University, highlighted during his meeting with Dr. AlMalik the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of intercultural dialogue and cultural convergence. He expressed his university’s keenness to develop academic partnerships with ICESCO aimed at promoting a culture of peace and embedding the values of understanding and coexistence within higher education institutions.
In another meeting, Dr. Said Hamed Al Rubaii, Vice Chancellor of UTAS, affirmed his university’s readiness to expand cooperation with ICESCO by launching joint research and training programs that would enhance the digitalization of higher education and support efforts to build a knowledge-based economy in the Islamic world.
The Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding with Foundation University Islamabad (FUI) to cooperate in the fields of science and technology, social sciences, arts, and management, in addition to organizing joint training sessions, workshops, academic meetings, and symposia.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the FUIW, and Maj. Gen. Muhammad Kaleem Asif, FUI Rector. The two parties signed the MoU on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, held by ICESCO at its headquarters in Rabat, in partnership with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and in cooperation with the FUIW and Baku State University, under the theme, “Reimagining Higher Education in the Islamic World: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Impact.”
Pursuant to this MoU, the two parties agree to facilitate the exchange of faculty members and postgraduate students between FUI and the FUIW Member Universities, jointly develop scientific research and academic curricula in the agreed-upon disciplines, and organize academic meetings and seminars. They also agree to hold summer schools and scientific camps with the participation of specialists and students, exchange information and academic publications, and grant the Pakistani university access to the FUIW University Network.
The sixth edition of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World kicked off at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, on Monday, 23 June 2025. The event was organized in partnership with the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (HEC), and in collaboration with the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and Baku State University in Azerbaijan, under the theme: “Reimagining Higher Education in the Islamic World: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Impact.”
The two-day forum brings together high-level participants, including several ministers and approximately 150 distinguished university vice chancellors, deans, and vice-deans from higher education institutions across the Islamic world. Discussions focus on the future of higher education, artificial intelligence, open and distance learning (ODL) systems, and the role of public funding and resource mobilization in achieving the concept of sustainable universities.
The opening session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who affirmed the Organization’s commitment to strengthening academic partnerships at regional and international levels, promoting scientific research, and encouraging student mobility. Dr. AlMalik emphasized that the sixth edition of the Forum offers an effective platform for building resilient universities that serve both students and society, especially in light of pandemics, climate change, conflicts, and rapid technological developments that have pushed universities to become spaces of resilience.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik explained that by 2030, many jobs will be replaced by new ones in fields such as data science, cybersecurity, digital ethics, and intelligent systems. This shift requires universities in the Islamic world to respond and take the lead by developing curricula that prepare learners to adapt to a world shaped by algorithms, automation, and AI applications.
For his part, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, highlighted the importance of keeping pace with 21st-century driving forces such as artificial intelligence and climate change to shape the future. Prof. Iqbal noted that innovation is now the force reshaping industry, economies, and the global standing of nations, adding: “History teaches us that countries that fail to invest in minds will inevitably fall behind those that do.”
In his remarks, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, announced Pakistan’s pledge to offer over 1,300 scholarships to youth from the Islamic world under a joint programme developed in collaboration with ICESCO. The initiative aims to equip youth with the necessary skills to become scientists and leaders contributing to their countries’ development.
In a recorded statement, Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, stressed that the current global context, marked by escalating climate crises and widening inequality, requires a fundamental rethinking of how we prepare for the future.
Following this, Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius, emphasized the critical role universities play in graduating future leaders and contributing to societal development by applying scientific research and translating it into tangible outcomes.
The Forum’s sessions began with a ministerial panel on the future of higher education, artificial intelligence, and distance learning, featuring the participation of Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives; Mr. Saleh Al Ghoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education of Libya; Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC; Dr. Lidia Borrell-Damián, Secretary General of Science Europe; and Mr. Munim Anees, Minister of State for Higher Education in the Maldives.
On the sidelines of the Forum, three academic memoranda of understanding were signed. The first was between the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, under ICESCO, and Foundation University Islamabad (FUI); the second between FUI and Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco, to promote knowledge exchange and joint scientific research; and the third between Khartoum’s Al Neelain University and FUI, to strengthen academic cooperation between the two institutions.
