Category: News

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), extended his heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Dr. Khaled El-Enany on his election as Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the 2025-2029 term after winning a landslide victory in the historic vote conducted by the UNESCO Executive Board on Monday, 6 October 2025, in Paris.

Dr. AlMalik praised this honorable appointment, describing it as a historic turning point, marking the first time an Arab Egyptian has assumed this prestigious position. He affirmed that Dr. El-Enany enjoys a distinguished scientific and academic expertise coupled with proven administrative competence, demonstrated throughout his professional career, highlighting his notable contributions in education, culture, heritage preservation, and science, qualities that make him well-suited to lead UNESCO toward new horizons of creativity and innovation.

Moreover, ICESCO Director-General expressed his full confidence in Dr. El-Enany’s ability to elevate UNESCO’s status as a global beacon for peace, knowledge, and intercultural understanding. He pointed out that Dr El-Enany’s previous accomplishments in safeguarding and efficiently managing human heritage constitute a significant asset for his success in this major international mission.

Dr. AlMalik congratulated the Egyptian government on this historic achievement, commending its comprehensive mobilization of resources and unwavering support throughout the election campaign; efforts that culminated in the election of an Arab Egyptian to this high-level international position.

He further emphasized that ICESCO places its full trust in fostering a fruitful strategic partnership with UNESCO under Dr. El-Enany’s leadership, contributing to the promotion of a culture of peace, advancement of shared goals, support for innovation, protection of human heritage, and strengthening the role of culture, education, and science in achieving sustainable development and serving humanity as a whole.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met with Mr. Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, Adviser for Cultural Affairs to the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on Monday, 6 October 2025, at the soon-to-be-inaugurated July Memorial Museum, dedicated to commemorating the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising in Bangladesh.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his admiration for the museum’s comprehensive documentation and accurate presentation of the history of Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom and dignity, emphasizing that this initiative represents a significant addition to the country’s cultural landscape.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s strategy in culture and heritage preservation, highlighting the Organization’s initiatives to support museums, safeguard historical memory, and promote cultural and creative industries across Member States.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to organize specialized training for Bangladeshi youth to equip them with skills in heritage inscription, protection, and conservation, in addition to supporting the adoption of cultural indicators and the development of cultural and creative economies in Bangladesh.

For his part, Mr. Farooki praised ICESCO’s efforts in strengthening cultural cooperation among Member States and expressed his country’s aspiration to establish strategic partnerships with the Organization to advance museum development, cultural projects, and innovation initiatives.

Dr. AlMalik announces new initiatives for teachers, stressing their key role as nations’ builders and moral compass

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that teachers are the lifeblood of education, nations’ builders and moral compass, as well as the bearers of knowledge and science. He reiterated ICESCO’s commitment to stand by teachers through training, empowerment, and recognition.

Dr. AlMalik made this statement in his address during a major celebration organized by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday, October 5, 2025, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day. The event was attended by Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Advisor on Education to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, along with a group of senior officials, representatives of the international organizations concerned, and experts in educational affairs. During the ceremony, Bangladesh paid tribute to number of teachers who demonstrated excellence in their work.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the noble status of teachers in Islam, noting that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, honored the teaching profession when he said, “I was sent only as a teacher.” In this regard, he emphasized the need to celebrate teachers by recognizing their efforts and ensuring they receive the appreciation they deserve, commending Bangladesh’s efforts in supporting and empowering teachers.

In this context, the ICESCO Director-General announced three initiatives in Bangladesh, namely the launch of the ICESCO Teacher Award to honor exceptional educators starting next year, the implementation of a program to build teachers’ capacities in AI applications to education, and the establishment of a research chair at the University of Dhaka specializing in women’s empowerment and capacity building studies.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his remarks by offering advice to teachers, stressing the importance of being role models for future generations, promoting high moral values among their students, and embracing bold and innovative ideas.