Category: News

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.

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.

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.

As part of the side activities of the Meeting of Ministers of Education and Higher Education of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in a field visit to the Kilim Geoforest Park on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, which is listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Park is considered one of the most remarkable and beautiful natural forest areas in Southeast Asia. It hosts a unique biodiversity, most notably dense mangrove forests, the reddish-brown Brahminy Kites, and a number of rare plant and animal species. The Malaysian government has shown great interest in the park due to its environmental and scientific value, as well as its touristic attraction.

In a symbolic gesture expressing collective commitment to environmental protection, the participating ministers, alongside ICESCO’s DG, planted a mangrove tree, as a tribute to the values of sustainability and regional cooperation in preserving natural heritage.

Also present on the visit were several Ministers of Education and Higher Education from ASEAN countries, in addition to the UNESCO Representative in Indonesia—highlighting the harmonization of efforts between national and international institutions to protect the environment and enhance environmental awareness in education policy.

During the visit, Dr. AlMalik stated that: “We are not just planting a tree, we are planting a symbol of hope and a deep commitment to a more sustainable future. Environmental protection must be an integral part of our educational vision. We must link education with nature so that future generations appreciate the value of ecological balance and strive to preserve it.” He also emphasized that ICESCO has committed itself to the importance of greening education and integrating it into curricula.

As part of his participation in the annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a bilateral meeting with H.E Dr. Fadhlina Sidek, Malaysia’s Minister of Education. The meeting focused on exploring ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, innovation, and heritage preservation.

Her Excellency the Minister presented key initiatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Education, which have made the country’s education system a comprehensive model for achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4). She noted that education in Malaysia is guided by a holistic vision that values quality, equity, and sustainability.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik commended Malaysia’s educational experience and stressed the importance of strengthening international partnerships to achieve inclusive education for all. He also highlighted ICESCO’s initiatives in this regard, including its ongoing cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in support of the international PISA assessments.

Dr. AlMalik invited Dr. Sidek to participate in the third Ministerial Conference on PISA, which will be organized by ICESCO in Samarkand in November 2025, and is considered an important platform for exchanging expertise and encouraging educational policy reform in Member States.

The meeting also touched on the Greening Education initiative, launched by ICESCO in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, which aims to develop long-term strategic visions in the field of education. Dr. AlMalik also underscored the importance of integrating values of peace into school curricula and embedding them into the educational policies of Member States.

The two sides also discussed the issue of girls’ education in Afghanistan. Dr. AlMalik stressed the need for Member States to stand in solidarity and support ICESCO’s efforts to ensure Afghan girls’ right to education, affirming that this is a humanitarian and moral obligation that requires concrete cooperation from all.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik extended a formal invitation to the Malaysian Minister of Education to visit ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat and learn more about the Organization’s projects in the fields of education, science, and culture. He also expressed his deep appreciation for her kind invitation to participate in the annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited ICESCO’s Arabic Educational Center in Malaysia, where he was received by Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohd Farid Ravi bin Abdullah, Vice-Chancellor of Selangor Islamic University (UIS), accompanied by his deputies and the University’s senior management team. The two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, particularly regarding the Center hosted by the University.

During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor shed light on the University’s faculties, administration, and overall work, highlighting its development milestones. He also commended the establishment of the ICESCO Arabic Educational Center in Malaysia as one of the Organization’s official educational centers outside the Middle East, specifically in Southeast Asia. He noted that its programs and activities are not limited to Malaysia but also extend regionally to several countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.

The Director-General expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he received in Malaysia and at the Islamic University of Selangor. He praised his meetings with Malaysian government officials and academics, and lauded the academic and educational contributions of ICESCO’s Arabic Educational Center in Malaysia since its establishment in 2016.

Discussions during the visit also covered the project to construct a new building for ICESCO’s Educational Center in Malaysia, as part of the University’s expansion plans. This development was made possible thanks to the generous donation of 54 hectares of land by His Majesty Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of the State of Selangor, to establish a new campus in the city of Cyberjaya, including a waqf for ICESCO to build the new facility for the Center.

The visit was attended by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Arabic Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, and Dr. Md Noor Bin Hussin, Director of the ICESCO Arabic Educational Center in Malaysia.

Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at his office in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting focused on strengthening strategic cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The Prime Minister commended the institutional transformation ICESCO has undergone under Dr. AlMalik’s leadership, as well as the Organization’s growing role on the international stage—particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, peacebuilding, and capacity development in Member States. He described ICESCO as “a leading model of renewal and openness among international organizations.”

For his part, Dr. AlMalik presented an overview of ICESCO’s new vision, which emphasizes innovation, digital transformation, and the expansion of international partnerships. He highlighted key initiatives, notably in digital education, youth empowerment, foresight, and artificial intelligence across the Islamic world.

Discussions also addressed the proposal to designate the State of Selangor as the “Cultural Capital in the Islamic World.” The Prime Minister welcomed the initiative, affirming Malaysia’s rich civilizational and cultural heritage and its capacity to serve as a hub for cultural and intellectual exchange.

Moreover, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised ICESCO’s Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, presented at the GAIN Summit, describing it as a vital ethical and intellectual framework for navigating current technological shifts.
At the end of the meeting, the ICESCO Director-General presented the Malaysian Prime Minister with the Organization’s memorial shield, in recognition of his continued support for international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

The meeting was attended by Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education, and the Secretary-General of the Ministry from the Malaysian side, and Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers.

The Chief Secretary of Selangor State, Malaysia, Dr. Dato’ Ahmad Fadzli bin Ahmad Tajuddin, received in his office in Selangor Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The Chief Secretary conveyed the greetings of the Chief Minister of Selangor State, Dato’ Seri Amirudin bin Shari, to the Director-General, expressing his pleasure at Dr. AlMalik’s visit and his keenness to strengthen cooperation with ICESCO as a strategic partner in realizing the future vision of transforming Selangor into a beacon of knowledge and science in Southeast Asia.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik praised the relationship between ICESCO and Selangor, particularly since it has hosted the ICESCO Educational Center for the Arabic Language in Malaysia since 2016, which is based at the Selangor Islamic University (UIS). ICESCO annually supports the services provided by the Center to stakeholders in Arabic language teaching and learning, both locally and regionally. In this context, Dr. AlMalik expressed appreciation for the allocation of a plot of land to construct the Center’s new building as part of the expansion of UIS, which is seen as a generous initiative by His Majesty Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Selangor.

The discussion also covered the proposal to declare Selangor the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, along with joint efforts between the State and ICESCO to promote educational and academic development and to support the pursuit of knowledge and scientific progress in Selangor.

In attendance at the meeting from the Malaysian side was Prof. Dr. Dato’ Mohd Farid Ravi bin Abdullah, President of UIS, and from ICESCO, Prof. Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of the ICESCO Center for Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers.