Category: News

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted an international cultural event on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival 2026. The event featured a cultural exhibition, performances of traditional Chinese folk dances, and musical segments using instruments rooted in the heritage of the Islamic world, creating an atmosphere that reflected the spirit of harmony between the Islamic world and Chinese civilization.

The celebration was organized in partnership with China Intercontinental Press and the Institute of Silk Road Strategic Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, and was attended by several ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco.

In his opening address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the event embodies a relationship built on mutual respect and fostered by the power of civilizational dialogue, noting that cooperation between ICESCO and China continues to grow, as it is founded on trust and a shared belief in the role of knowledge in connecting peoples and bringing them closer together.

For his part, Zhou Zhicheng, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Morocco, commended the role of ICESCO in promoting cooperation and exchange in the fields of education, science, and culture, and in supporting intercultural dialogue, affirming his country’s readiness to strengthen partnership and joint action to safeguard cultural diversity.

In turn, Guan Hong, Deputy General Manager of China Intercontinental Press, stated that the event reflects shared values and longstanding bonds of friendship between China and the Islamic world, noting that the activities and exhibits showcase respect for cultural diversity and open broader prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

Following the opening, Dr. AlMalik and distinguished guests toured the exhibition accompanying the celebration. The exhibition featured several pavilions highlighting calligraphy, painting, traditional crafts, and a variety of popular dishes, in addition to interactive cultural experiences that demonstrated the richness of Chinese heritage and the depth of civilizational exchange.

The ceremony also included a tribute to Dr. AlMalik by the Chinese side in recognition of his efforts in promoting civilizational dialogue and bringing peoples closer through culture. ICESCO, in turn, honored its partners with a commemorative shield in appreciation of their role in supporting cultural diplomacy and strengthening channels of communication between the Islamic and Chinese cultural spheres.

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Fujairah, received at Al Rumailah Palace Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), along with a group of prominent media figures from the Arab and Islamic worlds participating in the Fujairah Media Forum 2026. The Forum is organized by the Fujairah Media Office and will be held over two days, 10 and 11 February 2026, under the theme: “New Media: Masks of Truth.”

During the meeting, His Highness welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of media as an influential soft power in shaping societal awareness, entrenching values, strengthening the presence of national identity in society, and developing a sustainable digital knowledge economy. Moreover, he noted that while AI applications are driving progress in media practices, they also pose challenges to content credibility and information accuracy, which calls for stronger professional standards and greater media responsibility.

H.H. further emphasized that the Forum, which brings together an elite group of ministers, experts, decision-makers, and media professionals from the Arab world, serves as an important platform for discussing the challenges facing the media field. It also provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and enhance the media ecosystem in ways that promote responsible media, keep pace with ongoing changes, and elevate media sector performance.

Over its two days, the Fujairah Media Forum will feature a series of specialized media sessions and seminars focusing on new media, digital transformations, content credibility, and the role of media in confronting contemporary challenges.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Anass Smaili, Director of the National Documentation Center, affiliated with the High Commission for Planning of the Kingdom of Morocco, today, Tuesday 10 February 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting focused on exploring prospects for cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

During the Meeting, Dr. AlMalik delivered a brief overview of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting the flagship programs and projects implemented for the benefit of its Member States. He underscored the Organization’s interest in advancing knowledge documentation pathways, expanding access to content, and strengthening partnerships with specialized national and international institutions.

For his part, Dr. Smaili commended the role that ICESCO plays in its areas of competence. He also reviewed the mandate of the Moroccan National Documentation Center and the range of information services and activities it provides, emphasizing the Center’s interest in leveraging artificial intelligence for data digitization and documentation cataloguing, by drawing on ICESCO’s expertise in this field.
Furthermore, the two parties discussed ways to enrich the Sultan Qaboos Library, may Allah rest his soul, which is hosted at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, with a collection of books and rare manuscripts related to the history and heritage of Morocco, thereby enabling library visitors to become acquainted with key milestones of the Moroccan collective memory.

At the close of the meeting, the Director of the National Documentation Center of Morocco extended an invitation to ICESCO to participate in an international conference that the Center plans to organize in Rabat, in April 2026, focusing on the centrality of documentation and its importance in decision-making. For his part, Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s readiness to mobilize its expertise in support of joint initiatives in the field of documentation.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Banyan, Director of the Translation and Publishing Center. The National Documentation Center was represented by Ms. Najat Bourita, Head of Institutional Cooperation and Agreements.

In the presence of H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), represented by its Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Ministry of Culture of Tatarstan, represented by its Minister, Ms. Irada Ayupova. The agreement was signed on Sunday, 8 February 2026, at the Russian House in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The agreement reflects a shared vision grounded in the belief in the role of culture as a bridge for civilizational dialogue, a driver of human coexistence, and an effective tool for building a future of understanding and complementarity. It aims to strengthen cultural exchange, support qualitative initiatives in education, culture, science, and creativity, and safeguard heritage in the Islamic world as a living archive of peoples and an essential component of their civilizational history.

The agreement also places particular emphasis on empowering youth and women through capacity building, promoting innovation, and advancing sustainable and social development, thereby reinforcing the role of human beings as both the focus and the ultimate goal of development.

Its provisions highlight the promotion of Kazan as the Cultural Capital in the Islamic World, and as a platform for cultural creativity and innovation, in a manner befitting its historical and civilizational standing, reflecting its deep presence in the cultural sphere of the Islamic world and its growing role in the coming years.

The signing ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials and prominent figures from the Republic of Tatarstan, underscoring the depth of cultural relations and marking a transition from cooperation to impactful partnership.

This cooperation comes as part of the preparations to celebrate Kazan as the 2026 Cultural Capital in the Islamic World. Throughout the year, the city will host an extensive cultural program and a range of qualitative activities that highlight youth potential, support creative initiatives, and strengthen cultural identity as the collective memory of peoples and a lasting source of civilizational development.

A roundtable discussion was held on Sunday, 8 February 2026, at the Russian House in Jeddah to mark one hundred years since the establishment of Saudi–Russian relations. The session was attended by H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, along with his accompanying delegation.

The discussion brought together Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, former Saudi Minister of Information and the Kingdom’s first Ambassador to Russia, and Dr. Muhammad Al-Yami, Director-General of the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA).

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), also took part in the session. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of Saudi–Russian relations and underscored their advanced model of international partnership built on mutual respect and shared interests.

The session reviewed the history of relations between the two countries. H.E. Rais Minnikhanov emphasized their deep historical roots and steady development across various fields. Dr. AlMalik also noted the distinguished status of the city of Kazan within the Islamic world, reflected in its designation as the Cultural Capital in the Islamic World for this year, highlighting its cultural, civilizational, and historical significance.

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the training program, “AI Uses in News Writing and Targeted Media Content Production,” concluded its proceedings in the State of Kuwait. The five-day training program was organized by the Media and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Media Development Center of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), with the aim of honing the skills of 16 media professionals, journalists, and content creators from eight Member States and enabling them to employ the latest digital technologies in their fields of work.

The closing ceremony was organized at KUNA headquarters and sponsored by Kuwait Airways and Bukhamseen Holding Group. The ceremony featured presentations by participants on the practical activities they had prepared during the training days, notably AI-generated videos.

Afterwards, Dr. Barakat Al-Wegyan, Director of Communication at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, stressed the importance of building young people’s capacities and providing them with the necessary tools to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. The ICESCO official also highlighted the Organization’s efforts to promote the use of artificial intelligence, modern technology, and innovation in Member States.

For his part, Mr. Thamer Al-Furaih, Head of the KUNA Media Development Center, stressed the need to entrench a forward-looking and sustainable development approach in training and research centers in the Islamic world, especially in the field of journalism and media, in order to keep pace with the latest developments and raise a creative generation that is aware of the ethics and values of employing artificial intelligence.

At the close of the ceremony, graduation certificates were presented to the participants for successfully completing the training program.