Category: News

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the second session of the third Ramadan Gathering, “Excellence in Vicegerency (Istikhlaf),” organized in cooperation with the Group of Spouses of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco. Dr. Khadija Abouzid, Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, delivered a lecture titled: “Marriage is the Nursery of Excellence for Humans,” in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, together with several ambassadors accredited to Morocco and members of the Group.

The gathering, held on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, opened with remarks by Dr. Yousra Aljazairy, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Group. She affirmed that the gathering seeks to deepen understanding of the concept of Vicegerency, not only in the realms of public life, economics, or development, but in its most particular and profoundly impactful sphere: the family.

Dr. Aljazairy noted that the choice of topic stems from the view that marriage refines two wills, purifies two souls, and cultivates two hearts upon excellence. She explained that marriage is the first arena in which a person’s awareness of responsibility is formed; within it, one learns to live in closeness without erasure, to lead without oppression, and to differ without discord, thereby attaining true maturity and preparing to bear the trust of vicegerency.

She added that the lecture poses fundamental questions that require the courage to address: are homes arenas of rivalry or spaces of complementarity? Do those who share our lives feel safe, or do they experience fear and caution? She further stressed that raising generations worthy of vicegerency obliges the application of Excellence in our marital roles.

Dr. Abouzid affirmed that the lecture presents practical approaches to shaping Allah’s vicegerent on earth. She explained that the first manifestation of this divine design appeared in Allah’s creation of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and his spouse. Allah Almighty established the system of marital pairing as a universal order through which repose and tranquility are granted for the soul before the body. She further indicated that marriage preserves lineage and contributes to the cultivation of the earth, in order to fulfill the purpose of vicegerency and reform therein.

She clarified that Islam grounds the marital system in seven principles rooted in piety, which is the way out of all hardship and is affirmed through the highest values and virtues in choosing a partner based on religion and manners. It is sustained by upholding the principle of guardianship for men and righteousness for women, and it flourishes through “living together in kindness,” which perfects companionship. This system is brought to completion by the spirit that animates the family, embodied in tranquility, affection, and compassion.

The gathering concluded with an open discussion, during which Dr. AlMalik emphasized the close interconnection between excellence in worship and its practical application within the family, as well as the means of transforming a bilateral relationship into a home of hope founded upon the concept of Excellence.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) have issued the Arabic edition of ‘Le Livre blanc de la Francophonie scientifique’ (the White Book on Scientific Francophonie), under the supervision of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

The publication presents a global consultative study conducted by AUF, with contributions from more than 15,000 students, professors, university presidents, and officials from international organizations and institutions across 75 French-speaking countries. Participants examined future challenges facing higher education, scientific research, and vocational training in French-speaking countries.

The study’s outcomes include recommendations and insights on factors shaping academic and professional success, the role of the French language in teaching and professional integration, mechanisms for expanding employment opportunities for university graduates, digital challenges facing scientific research, and prospects for international cooperation between universities, including governance approaches.

This initiative aligns with ICESCO’s vision to strengthen the contribution of universities in the Islamic world to scientific research and innovation by promoting the exchange of expertise, capitalizing on successful experiences, and leveraging recommendations from scientific studies.

At the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, received the Certificate of Honor of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in recognition of his efforts to support culture and the arts in the Islamic world.

In a ceremony held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Amb. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco, presented the Certificate to the Director-General on behalf of Mr. Amandos Aknaev, President of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This represents another recognition of Dr. AlMalik’s sustained efforts to promote culture, plastic arts, music, literature, architecture, poetry, and heritage, as well as his remarkable endeavors to consolidate the role of creativity as a pillar of sustainable development and civilizational dialogue.

In his remarks on this occasion, the Director-General expressed his sincere gratitude for being the recipient of such a certificate, stressing that it reflects appreciation of ICESCO’s message and role in preserving cultural identity, anchoring the values of beauty and knowledge, and fostering cultural cooperation among the Member States.

Moreover, the Director-General underlined ICESCO’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting culture and the arts as tools for bringing people together and promoting peace.

This occasion reflects the strong cultural ties between sister countries and the shared will to promote cultural action toward wider horizons of cooperation and synergy.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, to discuss mechanisms for jointly organizing several activities and international conferences in environment, heritage, and education.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the level of partnership between ICESCO and Kazakhstan, which has been reflected in the organization of international symposia, conferences, and exhibitions. He noted ICESCO’s commitment to ensuring a strong and impactful presence at the upcoming Regional Ecological Summit in Kazakhstan, scheduled for April, in line with the Organization’s efforts to advance regional solutions to climate change challenges and environmental preservation.

For her part, Ambassador Sailaukyzy commended ICESCO’s support for the efforts of its Member States to revive their history, highlight their cultures, and protect their civilizational heritage, in addition to raising awareness of the contributions of prominent figures of the Islamic world throughout history. She affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to jointly organize with ICESCO a conference on Abu Nasr Al-Farabi in Astana.

The meeting was attended by Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, held a regional workshop on “Printed and Digital Curricula and Educational Materials for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers.” The workshop benefited 184 trainees attending in person and online, from among educational professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers in 15 countries across Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Held at the Mishkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat on 10 and 12 February 2026, the workshop featured presentations by educational training expert Redha Arrejibi, who discussed the principles, foundations, and procedures for designing modern textbooks for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers that take into account diverse learning environments and respond to the needs of various learner groups.

Discussions focused on the role of educational supervisors in the preparation of educational content, the enhancement of teachers’ use of textbooks, and the development of both printed and digital curricula and materials.

Mr. Arrejibi also led practical sessions based on collaborative group work, during which participants trained on evaluating an educational program that integrates printed textbooks and an electronic platform to teach Arabic to non-Arabic-speaking primary school students, using the Granada Educational Foundation platform as a model.

This workshop is the sixth within the “Mishkat Educational Leadership Programme” for the 2025–2026 academic year, implemented by ICESCO in partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences and in academic cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Beni Mellal, Kingdom of Morocco. The programme aims to train hundreds of leading professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

The Media and Communication Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Open University in the State of Kuwait (AOU) held a meeting to explore potential avenues of cooperation in media, the exchange of expertise, and capacity-building for media professionals.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the University’s headquarters, Dr. Barakat Al-Wegyan, Director of the Communication Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, reviewed the Organization’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading universities across the Islamic world and to enhance communication, as well as knowledge and scientific exchange, among them. He noted that the Sector is implementing training programs and pioneering projects with specialized faculties in the field of journalism and media for the benefit of young media professionals and journalists.

For his part, Dr. Salah Alhammadi, Director of the Arab Open University in the State of Kuwait, emphasized the importance of cooperation between academic institutions and international organizations, noting the University’s commitment to mobilizing its academic and media capabilities to support joint programs, achieve their objectives, and employ artificial intelligence applications in daily practices.

The two sides discussed a set of quality media projects scheduled for launch in the upcoming period to support a number of initiatives in the fields of media, communication, culture, and science, in addition to leveraging digital media and modern social media platforms to disseminate knowledge, enhance societal awareness, and build media capacities in the countries of the Islamic world.

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.