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    Category: News

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Pakistani Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives

    Posted on by mohamed.elmajdouby

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, organized by ICESCO in cooperation with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan on June 23–24, 2025, under the theme: “Reimagining Higher Education in the Islamic World: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Impact.”

    The meeting, held on Monday, 23 June 2025, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, focused on exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan in the fields of education, capacity-building for youth, and developing bilateral partnerships in the upcoming phase.

    Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programs and projects ICESCO is implementing in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, chief among them being the program for building and developing small-scale projects in technology and innovation, and the program for improving water and sanitation services in several rural schools. The discussion also addressed initiatives aimed at developing educational systems in Member States and the importance of providing the necessary support tailored to each country’s specific needs.

    For his part, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of launching joint initiatives to promote reading among children and youth, with particular focus on learning the Holy Quran. He also highlighted the distinguished status of Islamic civilization and the remarkable achievements of Muslim scholars in fields such as astronomy and space sciences, whose knowledge was inspired by the Qur’an.

    Both sides also discussed unifying efforts among Islamic countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a dignified life for individuals, and enhancing strategic communication through the exchange of expertise.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Minister of State for Higher Education of the Maldives

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Munim Anees, Minister of State at the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of Maldives, on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, held at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. The two parties discussed ways to promote cooperation in the field of education, support university and higher education, and foster scientific research.

    At the beginning of the meeting, held on Monday, June 23, 2025, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, and reviewed the major programs and projects it is implementing across the Islamic world. He emphasized that the Organization relies on direct communication with its Member States to design programs and initiatives that respond to each country’s specific needs and aspirations.

    The Director-General also reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to provide the necessary support to the Maldives to advance education, science, and culture by jointly implementing innovative projects and programs.

    For his part, Mr. Munim Anees commended ICESCO’s efforts in developing its fields of competence in Member States and expressed his eagerness to enhance bilateral cooperation with the Organization, particularly through the development of educational programs and the establishment of partnerships with universities across the Islamic world.

    Clarification Statement

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    ICESCO would like to clarify the recent reports circulated in some Pakistani media outlets regarding the Organization’s alleged awarding of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to H.E. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal.

    We affirm that this information is inaccurate. ICESCO does not have an award under this name, nor has it granted such a distinction.

    The recognition presented to H.E. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal took place during the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, which is supervised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The sixth session of this Forum was hosted at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, where the Forum organizers presented an honorary shield to H.E. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal in appreciation of his contributions to the advancement of higher education.

    While ICESCO holds H.E. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal in high regard and values his efforts, we kindly urge all media outlets to verify information through official sources when reporting on matters related to the Organization.

    ICESCO Congratulates Dr. Dawas Dawas on Appointment as OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Dawas Tayseer Rashid Dawas, Chairman of the ICESCO Executive Council, on his appointment as Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as he is set to assume his duties in April 2026.

    On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, expressed his great pleasure at this honourable appointment, praising Dr. Dawas’s high competence, extensive experience, and wise leadership. Dr. AlMalik also commended the insight, expertise, and professionalism Dr. Dawas demonstrated during his tenure as Chairman of the Organization’s Executive Council, which ensured productive and harmonious sessions that earned the admiration and appreciation of all members.

    ICESCO reaffirms its deep pride in Dr. Dawas and expresses confidence that his rich expertise and constant dedication will make him a valuable addition to the OIC and a strong supporter of joint Islamic action.

    ICESCO Participates in Anna Lindh Forum in Albania, Hosts Seminar on Orient-Occident Relations

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum, held in Tirana, the capital of Albania, from 18 to 20 June 2025. The event brought together 46 Euro-Mediterranean countries and 800 representatives of the international cultural community, under the patronage of Albanian Prime Minister Mr. Edi Rama and HRH Princess Rym Ali, President of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

    As part of the Forum, ICESCO, in cooperation with the Anna Lindh Foundation, organized an international seminar titled “Orient-Occident: Possible Reconciliations? Strengthening Intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean.” Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, underscored the Organization’s evolving role in advancing cultural and international relations by developing innovative cultural frameworks and platforms that bring together intellectuals, researchers, and creatives from within and beyond the Islamic world. Key initiatives include the ICESCO International Centre for Cultural Policies, the ICESCO International Think Tank: Culture for Rethinking the World, and the International Network of ICESCO Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Literature, and Arts. He emphasized that these initiatives serve as cultural bridges among nations, foster joint cooperation, and position culture as a tool for peace, knowledge, and creativity.

    The seminar also featured keynote presentations by several prominent figures, including Mr. Julien Chenivesse, Interministerial Delegate for the Mediterranean, and Professor Vincent Geisser, Researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and President of the Center for Information and Studies on International Migration (CIEMI) in Paris.

    On the sidelines of the Forum, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine met with HRH Princess Rym Ali, President of the Anna Lindh Foundation, and Mr. Josep Ferré, Executive Director of the Foundation, in the presence of Mr. Frédéric Jambu, ICESCO’s Expert in Cultural Policies. Two cooperation agreements were signed.

    The first agreement aims to launch joint projects to support studies in the areas of “Sustainable Cultural Economies” and “New Technologies for Creativity,” and to back ICESCO’s initiatives related to cultural rights and supportive legislation for intellectuals, artists, and creators.

    The second agreement provides for the Anna Lindh Foundation’s support of ICESCO’s initiative to establish the “ICESCO International Civil Society Network for Culture and Development,” aimed at enhancing international cultural cooperation.

    Conclusion of the Annual “Mishkat Al-Arabiya” Continuing Training Program

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded the third edition of its “Mishkat Al-Arabiya for Continuing Training” program, organized in cooperation with the Hamdan bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences. The program culminated in a regional workshop entitled “Creativity in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers,” held on 18–19 June 2025.

    The workshop, hosted in the Mishkat Al-Arabiya Hall at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, marked the final phase of this annual program. It benefited 212 educators from 15 countries, including Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Morocco.

    Led by education experts Dr. Mohamed Ismaili Alaoui and Dr. Samir Jafar, the workshop introduced participants to the concept of creativity in teaching, outlined its general principles, presented key theories explaining creativity, and trained them in the use of innovative strategies and techniques for teaching Arabic. The workshop also proposed engaging tools tailored for learners who speak other languages.

    The trainers delivered practical sessions on developing creative thinking in vocabulary acquisition and grammar usage, enhancing listening and speaking skills, and improving reading and writing abilities through digital platforms, artificial intelligence applications, and the generation of creative ideas for language skill development.

    The total number of participants of the third edition of the program (2024–2025) reached 2,016, through a series of workshops designed to enhance teacher competence and responsiveness to the needs of Arabic language education in multilingual and multicultural contexts.

    Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Honours ICESCO Director-General

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, honoured Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), during an official dinner held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Education Ministers Roundtable in Langkawi on 19 June 2025.

    The recognition was given in appreciation of ICESCO’s pioneering role in advancing higher education across its Member States, and in acknowledgment of Dr. AlMalik’s efforts in steering the Organization toward innovation, strategic partnerships, and future-focused transformations in education.

    The Malaysian Minister also expressed his country’s appreciation for ICESCO’s notable participation in the ministerial meeting, which serves as a key platform for coordinating education policies and enhancing regional cooperation.

    This recognition reaffirms ICESCO’s growing international standing and its leadership role in shaping the future of higher education in the Islamic world.

    ICESCO Launches “Empower with Arabic” Project in Mauritania

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the “Empower with Arabic” (Tamakkan bil-Arabiya) project on 19 June 2025 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, targeting the enhancement of Arabic language proficiency among non-Arabic-speaking students enrolled in traditional Islamic schools (mahadras).

    The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and funded by the Hamdan bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences.

    The project aims to equip 100 non-Arabic-speaking mahadra students with Arabic language skills through an intensive one-month training course. It also includes a workshop to strengthen the capacity of local instructors in modern pedagogical methods for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, alongside the development of an innovative instructional manual based on the unique traditions of mahadras.

    Representing ICESCO at the launch, Dr. Adham Muhammad Ali Hamawiya, expert at the ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, delivered an opening address highlighting the distinguished legacy of Mauritanian mahadras and their scholarly, educational, and ethical contributions. Dr. Hamawiya emphasized that the “Empower with Arabic” project constitutes a significant addition to ICESCO’s initiatives aimed at promoting the global stature of the Arabic language and stands as a milestone within the activities of the Center.

    Moreover, Dr. Hamawiya stressed that enabling non-Arabic speakers to acquire Arabic—particularly in religious and academic contexts—requires specialized, learner-centered pedagogical approaches that respect cultural backgrounds, leverage intellectual heritage, and integrate tradition with innovation. This approach seeks to develop a generation proficient in the Quran, Hadith, and classical heritage, while being open to contemporary challenges, fully aligned with ICESCO’s vision, mission, and fields of expertise.

    ICESCO Named Strategic Partner of Malaysia’s International Putrajaya Festival of Ideas

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    On the sidelines of the ASEAN Roundtable of Ministers of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and emerging technologies.

    During the meeting, the two sides agreed to designate ICESCO as a strategic partner in organizing the international Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (PFOI) in Putrajaya, set to take place in November 2025, with broad participation from universities, research centers, and innovators from around the world.

    Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s key initiatives in supporting university education and stressed the importance of keeping pace with global shifts in digitization, the knowledge economy, blended learning, and space sciences, while positioning innovation as a cornerstone of future universities.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that ICESCO aims to build high-impact partnerships that help prepare students, empower universities, and stimulate scientific research in response to rapid global developments and evolving labor market demands.

    The Malaysian Minister of Higher Education welcomed expanded cooperation with ICESCO and affirmed Malaysia’s commitment to nurturing a generation capable of leading and innovating within a dynamic knowledge-based environment.

    The two parties agreed to launch joint academic and training programmes, organize scientific forums on artificial intelligence, higher education, and space sciences, and to promote the inclusion of Malaysian universities in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), which operates under ICESCO’s auspices.

    Dr. AlMalik also extended an official invitation to the Malaysian Minister to visit ICESCO headquarters in Rabat to explore its programmes and cooperation opportunities. Additionally, he invited him to participate in the Higher Education Conference on Artificial Intelligence, co-organized by ICESCO and Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education at the end of September 2025, under the theme “Knowledge Economy and the Centrality of Higher Education.”

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim from ICESCO, and from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Anesee bin Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, and Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director-General of Higher Education.

    ICESCO Concludes International Symposium in Rabat on Foresight and Strategic Intelligence in the Service of Development Policies

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    On Thursday, 19 June 2025, the International Symposium on Foresight and Strategic Intelligence concluded in Rabat. The event was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the High Commission for Planning of Morocco and the School of Information Sciences (ESI), on 18–19 June 2025, under the theme: “Synergy in the Service of Morocco’s Development Policies.” The Symposium aimed to promote the formulation of resilient and inclusive public policies capable of keeping pace with future transformations.

    Representatives of governmental and academic institutions and experts in governance and strategic planning attended the opening session of the Symposium, during which Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO’s Center of Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, delivered a presentation in which he affirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting its Member States in enhancing their capacities in foresight and integrating strategic foresight into public policy. He highlighted this as a strategic priority for ICESCO and commended Morocco’s regional leadership in this field.

    For his part, Mr. Chakib Benmoussa, High Commissioner for Planning in Morocco, stated that foresight has become a fundamental pillar in Morocco’s New Development Model, which is based on inclusivity, participation, and long-term vision. Ms. Noëlla Richard, Deputy Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Morocco, also reviewed the program’s efforts to integrate foresight methodologies into its operations, considering this field to be an institutional necessity and a globally leading governance culture.

    Dr. Kais Hammami also participated in a panel discussion titled “Foresight and Competitiveness,” where he spoke about the strategic impact of foresight in enhancing national competitiveness, stimulating innovation, and guiding future investments. He stressed the importance of adopting this approach to boost countries’ readiness for rapid transformations and to build a more sustainable and resilient future.