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    Category: News

    ICESCO Director-General Discusses with Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism Ways to Strengthen Cooperation in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Muscat. The meeting reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage and implementing joint training programmes in this field.

    At the outset, Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting key programmes and initiatives implemented for the benefit of its Member States in the areas of preserving and promoting heritage as a repository of collective memory and a marker of civilizational identity. He noted that the Organization has successfully inscribed more than 724 sites and elements on the Islamic World Heritage List.

    Dr. AlMalik emphasized that ICESCO is committed to employing advanced technological tools and enhancing the capacities of specialists working in the restoration and documentation of heritage across its Member States through pioneering programmes and initiatives. He stressed the importance of implementing bilateral training programmes in manuscript preservation and restoration, commending Oman’s institutional expertise in this domain.

    The Director-General also highlighted Oman’s rich and diverse heritage, calling for the inscription of the greatest possible number of Omani heritage elements during the 13th Meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, scheduled to be held from 9 to 13 February in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

    For his part, Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi expressed his aspiration to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in support of national efforts to safeguard and preserve Omani heritage.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO, along with several heads of sectors at the Ministry.

    Dr. AlMalik at the Opening of the International Conference on the Teaching Profession in Muscat: However Advanced, AI Can Never Replace the Teacher

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the International Conference on the Teaching Profession kicked off in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The Conference was co-organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate of Oman, and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), under the theme “Sustainable Education in the Age of AI,” and saw the participation of ministers and education officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as more than 400 experts, researchers, educators, and representatives of relevant international organizations.

    During the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the world today needs teachers who are well-versed in contemporary issues and proficient in the use of modern and advanced tools such as AI. He further emphasized that these technologies will never replace teachers, stating: “No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it will never replace teachers who understand their students, motivate them, and inspire them to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

    Dr. AlMalik added that the desired synergy requires teachers who continuously develop themselves and adopt a culture of continuous training and learning, thereby improving classroom performance and enhancing the quality of educational outcomes.

    Likewise, the Director-General stated that the Organization, which is in the process of finalizing its new program, “Civilizational Upbringing,” reaffirms its commitment to sustain coordination with partners to support an educational approach that preserves identity while promoting openness and humanity. He reiterated his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the Conference and supporting initiatives to improve education and the status of teachers.

    For her part, Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education in the Sultanate of Oman, emphasized that the ministries of education in the Gulf countries have become leading models in digital transformation, educational innovation, and the development of resilient education systems. She added that advances in AI have not weakened the role of teachers, but rather redefined their role to become more profound and influential.

    Dr. Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Moqbel, ABEGS Director-General, explained that the Conference aligns with the Bureau’s approach to sustainable education and maximizing the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the efficiency of educational systems. He stated that the Conference offers a platform for promoting field research and sharing inspiring experiences and expertise to support teachers’ professional development.

    Following the opening session, Dr. AlMalik, along with ministers and senior officials, visited the educational exhibition held on the sidelines of the Conference.

    The two-day Conference aims to discuss ways to develop learning environments and promote the integration of AI technologies and educational practices to ensure the quality of the educational process. It also aims to share Gulf and international experiences in teacher training and educational leadership, and support educational and administrative practices that promote sustainable development within the school environment.

    Art Exhibition “The Childhood and Life of Al-Farabi” by Kazakh Artist Zhanuzak Musapir Kicks Off at ICESCO Headquarters

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat witnessed, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the inauguration of the art exhibition, “The Childhood & Life of Al-Farabi”, by renowned Kazakh artist and painter Zhanuzak Musapir. The exhibition was organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Morocco, with the aim of highlighting the legacy of the great Muslim philosopher and scholar Abi Nassr Al-Farabi through an artistic vision that casts light on his childhood, scholarly journey, and contributions to Islamic civilization.

    The inauguration ceremony saw high-caliber participation, including several representatives of embassies accredited in Rabat and a host of world-renowned painters. In an address delivered on his behalf at the opening ceremony by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that the exhibition constitutes a new path of cultural cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan and reflects the Organization’s recognition of the great role Al-Farabi played in shaping human thought as an encyclopedic reference known for his wisdom, vast knowledge, and avid interest in literature and music.

    The Director-General also stated that, through this exhibition, Mr. Musapir uses his artistic acumen and sense of creativity to take visitors on a journey through the key moments of Al-Farabi’s life, thus contributing to safeguarding his legacy and transmitting his message to a wider audience.

    For her part, Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Morocco and Kazakhstan Permanent Delegate to ICESCO, stated that the exhibition highlights the special partnership between the two parties and offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore Al-Farabi’s contributions to the development of thought in the Islamic world through art. She added that Mr. Musapir’s paintings add a spiritual dimension to Al-Farabi’s life and intellectual journey.

    Speaking at the exhibition, Mr. Zhanuzak Musapir noted that he sought to explore, through his paintings, the philosophical, humanistic, and spiritual foundations of Al-Farabi’s teachings and highlight his timeless ideas. He also announced the gifting of all the paintings on display depicting Al-Farabi’s life to ICESCO, as a testament to the strong cultural ties between Kazakhstan and the Organization.

    At the close of the ceremony, the National Academy of Arts of Kazakhstan presented certificates of appreciation to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik and a host of ICESCO leadership figures in recognition of their roles in celebrating intellectual figures and preserving human heritage for new generations.

    Launch of ICESCO Training Program in Kuwait on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media Content Creation

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    The training program “Utilizing of AI Tools in News Writing and Quality Content Creation”, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the KUNA Media Development Center, kicked off on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, with the participation of 16 media professionals and content creators from eight Member States of the Organization.

    The training program, sponsored by Kuwait Airways and Bukhamseen Holding Group – Crowne Plaza, aims to raise awareness of ways to employ artificial intelligence tools in news writing and digital content creation, foster ethics in the use of artificial intelligence in media and meaningful content creation, and develop participants’ skills in big data analysis through a series of lectures, panel discussions, and practical training sessions.

    The five-day training program began with a lecture on the basics of artificial intelligence technology and its applications, presented by Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Khamis, director and expert in creative artificial intelligence, in which he reviewed the opportunities and challenges of mainstreaming the use of artificial intelligence in various professional fields.

    At the end of the first day, Dr. Barakat Al Wegyan, Director of Communication Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, stressed the need to hone young people’s skills to keep pace with rapid technological developments, given their pivotal role in renewing media work.

    For his part, Mr. Thamer Al-Furaih, Head of the Kuna Media Development Center, pointed out the importance of developing cooperation between international organizations, institutions, and training centers to build a promising generation of media professionals in the Islamic world.

    As part of the program’s activities, participants met with officials from the General Department of International Media of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information. They reviewed the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with countries from the Islamic world and mechanisms for communicating with media professionals and experts.

    This is the second training program organized by ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector for media professionals, content creators, and content creators in the Islamic world as part of the Sector’s strategic plan to enhance the capacities of media professionals to keep pace with media and technological developments.

    ICESCO participates in the 8th International Arabic Language Conference in Sharjah

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 8th International Arabic Language Conference entitled “Teaching and Learning Arabic: Looking Towards the Future: Requirements, Opportunities, and Challenges,” organized by the Arabic Language Educational Sharjah Centre for Gulf States (ALECGS), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Education.

    The conference, held on 28-29 January 2026 at the Center’s headquarters in Sharjah University City, saw the participation of 118 researchers and experts from 24 countries and representatives of five international organizations, with 85 research papers and studies presented, and 20 outstanding practices were presented during 33 scientific sessions, which discussed issues, studies, best practices, and scientific and practical experiences related to the reality of teaching Arabic.

    ICESCO was represented at the conference by Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Center of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers and Mr. Salem Omar Salem, Director of the Organization’s Regional Office in Sharjah. Dr. Majdi presented a scientific paper reviewing ICESCO’s key achievements and contributions in the field of Arabic language teaching and learning in line with its new forward-looking vision, leveraging all possible technological applications, methods, and techniques to disseminate Arabic across the world.

    At the close of the symposium, Dr. Issa Al-Hammadi, Director of ALECGS, presented a shield of honor to Mr. Salem Omar Salem and Dr. Majdi Haj Ibrahim.

    Launch of “World Artists, Guests of ICESCO” series to harness creativity in intercultural dialogue

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    As part of the ICESCO Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched a new series of dialogue sessions entitled “World Artists, Guests of ICESCO,” with the aim of harnessing artistic creativity in efforts to promote intercultural dialogue by hosting contemporary artistic figures who contribute to enriching cultural debate and affirming the status of art as a universal language for peace and coexistence.

    Dr. Mohammed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, opened the first discussion session, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with a speech highlighting that this series is part of the forum’s vision to make culture a space for action and reflection, stressing that artists are not merely creators, but partners in producing meaning, transferring experiences, and promoting rapprochement between peoples.

    After that, the discussion session kicked off, featuring two prominent figures from the international art scene via video conferencing, Amadi Lagha, a world-renowned opera singer, and Manuel Delgado, a Spanish flamenco guitarist and composer, who presented their experiences and artistic careers in an interactive discussion with participants.

    During his presentation, Amadi Lagha reviewed his academic and artistic career, which took shape in Tunisia, France, and Italy, emphasizing the need to renew approaches to music education in order to give emerging artists greater freedom and scope for innovation.

    For his part, Manuel Delgado highlighted his career, rooted in Andalusian heritage, which he shaped through his education in several European cities, considering that fidelity to artistic identity is not incompatible with openness and emphasizing that music has a unique ability to bridge cultures.

    The session was moderated by Mr. Frédéric Jambu, expert in cultural diplomacy at ICESCO, who presented the general framework of the new concept and its objectives, highlighting the strategic role of art in renewing contemporary cultural dialogue and promoting understanding between peoples.

    ICESCO Director-General visits Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Saudi Arabia

    Posted on by Mohamed Anwar

    At the invitation of the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which opened its third edition on Friday, January 30, 2026, in Diriyah, under the theme “In Interludes and Transitions,” with the participation of sixty-eight artists from more than 37 countries.

    On this occasion, Dr. AlMalik said that the Diriyah Biennale affirms the status and presence of contemporary art and its ability to be a mirror of the memory of peoples and a human language that transcends borders, noting that the third edition of the Biennale reveals the deep roots of art in peoples’ cultures and memories, and its role in shaping their consciousness and future.

    The Director-General of ICESCO emphasized that the Biennale is the fruit of concerted efforts that reflect some of the prospects of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision as a forward-looking cultural vision that strides confidently toward a future shaped by culture and arts as one of the pillars of the Saudi renaissance.

    Dr. AlMalik congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this achievement, calling on Member States to promote contemporary art and place it at the forefront of their national agendas.

    ICESCO Calls for Adoption of Educational Plans That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence Technologies at an International Conference in Riyadh

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. AlMalik: Artificial Intelligence Is a Platform for Improving Quality of Life, Shifting Societies from Sufficiency to Creativity

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized that artificial intelligence has become a new platform for improving the quality of life, increasing job opportunities, and consolidating the pillars of effective governance, thus taking societies from sufficiency to societal creativity and promoting sustainable development.

    His remarks came on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during the two-day International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026), organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in Riyadh, in partnership with King Saud University and the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), in the presence of experts and specialists from more than 50 local and international bodies, to discuss the future of humanity in education and work in the age of artificial intelligence.

    Dr. AlMalik shed light on the Riyadh Charter of Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, launched by ICESCO in partnership with SDAIA, as an ethical and strategic reference framework that guides the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence and promotes its use in the service of humanity and sustainable development, stressing that capacity building is the key to reducing development gaps.

    In this regard, the ICESCO Director-General called on the ministries of education of Member States to adopt educational plans that incorporate artificial intelligence technologies into educational curricula, while including the principles of the Riyadh Charter with its ethical foundations.

    Dr. AlMalik also warned of rapid changes in the job market, noting that artificial intelligence will lead to a decline in the number of traditional jobs, which will be replaced by emerging jobs with new names and skills, requiring accelerated efforts in preparation and continuous training.

    In this context, the ICESCO Director-General commended the measures adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to keep pace with this historic transformation through human capacity development programs, the development of the education and training system, and the anticipation of future skills.

    For his part, Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, participated in one of the conference sessions entitled “From National Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategies to Measurable Impact,” in which he reviewed ICESCO’s Artificial Intelligence Index in the Islamic World, emphasizing that it is a practical tool for assessing readiness, identifying gaps, and supporting policies in Member States.

    ICESCO Launches First Session of Doctoral Research Symposia on New Cultural Policies

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    With the participation of a host of deans, professors, and doctoral researchers, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the first session of its series of “Doctoral Research Symposia: ICESCO Strategies for New and Sustainable Cultural Policies in the Islamic World,” in partnership with the Euro-Mediterranean University in the Kingdom of Morocco. The series aims to exchange sound proposals and draw on the Organization’s expertise to develop more effective strategies in the fields of cultural industries and creative economies.

    During the launch, held at the University’s headquarters on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, stressed the need to review cultural strategies in the Islamic world, pointing to the lack of accurate indicators to measure cultural growth and performance in the Member States.

    He explained that this work will support ICESCO’s efforts in this field by conducting studies and research aimed at addressing the shortcomings observed in cultural management within the Islamic world, especially when compared to the tangible progress made by cultural policies in the West and Asia.

    The series of symposia came to fruition thanks to the close cooperation efforts between the Organization’s Culture Sector and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez (UEMF), within the framework of the ICESCO Chair for Arts, Sciences, and Civilizations hosted by the university.

    ICESCO Agrees with Arab Publishers’ Association to Supply Arabic Publications to its Digital Library

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Translation and Publishing Center of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with the Arab Publishers’ Association on Thursday, 22 January 2026, in Cairo, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation in the fields of writing, publishing, and translation.

    During the meeting, the two parties reached an agreement in principle to make a selection of publications from Arab publishing houses affiliated with the Arab Publishers’ Association available through ICESCO’s digital library for a period of 12 months. This initiative is part of joint efforts to disseminate science and knowledge and provide reliable content for Arab readers while safeguarding publishers’ rights. The discussions also covered mechanisms for developing joint cultural projects and activities to exchange expertise in digitizing writing and publishing.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Translation and Publishing Center, and Dr. Mohamed Rashad, President of the Arab Publishers’ Association. Dr. Albanyan emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation between international organizations and regional institutions and centers, and reviewed the challenges facing the publishing sector in Arab and Islamic countries, notably the protection of intellectual property rights and the promotion of the distribution of Arabic books.