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    Category: News

    ICESCO Director-General Meets with the President of Tatarstan in Jeddah

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, to discuss prospects for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in areas of shared interest. The meeting also explored the possibility of designating Kazan as a Capital of Culture in the Islamic World.

    The meeting took place on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the 13th Conference of the Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, which is being held on February 12–13. Discussions focused on ICESCO’s support for Tatarstan’s nomination of Kazan as a Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, the establishment of a committee to oversee the meticulous organization of this designation, and joint efforts to ensure the success of activities and programs celebrating this historic city in 2026.

    President Minnikhanov expressed his pleasure in attending the Conference, stressing the strong historical, cultural, and heritage-based ties between Tatarstan and the Islamic world. Furthermore, he welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with ICESCO in celebrating Kazan as a Culture Capital. Additionally, President Minnikhanov extended an invitation to Dr. AlMalik and a delegation from the Organization to attend the upcoming edition of the “Russia–Islamic World” KazanForum.

    For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation for President Minnikhanov’s acceptance of ICESCO’s invitation to attend the Conference in Jeddah, and praised the President’s address during the opening session, which underscored Tatarstan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Islamic world and contributing to cultural development and sustainable growth. Dr. AlMalik also highlighted the exemplary partnership between ICESCO and Tatarstan, which serves as a distinguished model contributing to the Islamic world’s cultural heritage.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, and Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Sector of Media and Communication.

    ICESCO and USMS Sign MoU to Promote Teaching Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Sultan Moulay Slimane University (USMS) in Beni Mellal, Kingdom of Morocco, signed a three-year memorandum of understanding at the Organization’s headquarters on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in education, culture, and scientific research, especially in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

    The MoU includes several areas of cooperation, mainly leveraging the expertise of ICESCO’s Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers and USMS’s center, which focuses on the same field, to support Arabic language proficiency for non-Arabic speakers. It also includes organizing joint scientific conferences, peer-reviewing, and publishing scientific publications.

    Moreover, the MoU aims to support, develop, and publish studies and research on the Arabic language, and enhance its global and regional standing and presence.

    The two parties agreed to exchange scientific and technical expertise, share linguistic and cultural data, and organize educational forums and training workshops. A joint committee will be formed to oversee planning, follow-up, and evaluation, with regular meetings in Rabat and Beni Mellal to coordinate projects. The MoU also allows for additional agreements to expand cooperation based on evolving needs and objectives.

    ICESCO and ITFC Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Jeddah

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in capacity development and skills enhancement to support entrepreneurship and start-ups.

    The agreement also includes implementing joint initiatives in agriculture and environmental sustainability, as well as promoting the employment of science and technology to address social and economic challenges. Additionally, it focuses on knowledge transfer and the exchange of experiences among Member States.

    The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, at ITFC’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Mr. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer at ITFC, in the presence of several officials from both sides.

    In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the signing and emphasized ICESCO’s rapid progress over the past five years. He highlighted the Organization’s key programs and initiatives, including the development of the Islamic World Charter for Artificial Intelligence and its extensive efforts in preserving Islamic heritage and safeguarding cultural identity. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to transparency in working with Member States to address their needs effectively.

    For his part, Mr. Nazeem Noordali welcomed Dr. AlMalik and the ICESCO delegation to ITFC’s headquarters, commending their visit. He emphasized ITFC’s significant role in financing projects that drive economic development across the Islamic world and highlighted its commitment to effective collaboration with ICESCO in areas of mutual interest to achieve shared objectives.

    Under the terms of the MoU, the agreement seeks to establish a framework for cooperation in implementing joint initiatives and programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and start-ups, particularly those targeting youth and women. It also aims to bridge the skills gap in the labor market, especially for vulnerable groups, while leveraging scientific and technological solutions in agriculture, food security, and food waste management as mechanisms for sustainable economic growth.

    Additionally, the MoU focuses on enhancing the capacities of Member States to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through education, innovation, and green technologies, while encouraging knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices between the Member States of both parties.

    ICESCO and the Egyptian National Commission Organize a Training Workshop on Media Literacy Skills

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, is organizing a training workshop titled “Training on Media Literacy Skills.” The workshop, taking place from February 10 to 12, 2025, at Ahram Canadian University in Cairo, aims to benefit approximately 100 university and pre-university students. Its goal is to introduce the concept of media literacy, train participants in critically analyzing media content, and equip them with skills to detect and counter misinformation.

    Under the patronage of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Head of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, the training covers several key topics, including plagiarism, different types of misleading and fake content on social media, cyberbullying, and social stigma against various communities, as well as image and video manipulation through artificial intelligence. Additionally, the workshop will provide insights into the fundamentals of media production.

    During the opening session, Dr. Ramy Magdy, Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission for ICESCO, emphasized the importance of digital media and technology in shaping the cultural and intellectual identity of societies.

    He further noted that verifying and critically analyzing information amid the overwhelming flow of digital content is a crucial challenge, stressing that media and information literacy is not just a technical skill but a protective shield against manipulation.

    Dr. Inas Abou Youssef, Dean of the Mass Communication Faculty, Ahram Canadian University, also underscored the necessity of media literacy in addressing the growing challenges of the digital era. She pointed out that the vast amount of daily information disseminated through traditional and digital media necessitates the development of content analysis skills, fact-checking abilities, and critical thinking, particularly among youth.

    Head of Culture Sector Reviews ICESCO’s Achievements to Promote Cultural Affairs

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), gave an address during the 19th Meeting of the Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, held by ICESCO in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, 10 February 2025.

    In this regard, Dr. Zine El Abidine presented the Organization’s report on its achievements in culture, which included a set of successful initiatives aimed at promoting cultural affairs in its Member States, notably ICESCO’s Initiative on Cultural Rights and the Right to Culture in the Islamic World, which contributed to securing 21 programs for ten African Member States, with the number of beneficiaries reaching 1,000.

    Moreover, he highlighted ICESCO’s Creative Intelligence Incubator, “Ibdaa,” which mentored young entrepreneurs across various cultural fields and supported 100 startup projects. He also announced the establishment of two new specialized centers: the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts and the Center for Poetry and Literature. Additionally, Dr. Zine El Abidine reviewed ICESCO’s Culture Capital program, which celebrates Marrakech, Shusha, and Benghazi for their rich cultural heritage within the Islamic world.

    In conclusion, Dr. Zine El Abidine stressed that the Organization’s efforts in the cultural field align with its “Paths towards the Future” program, serving as a model for Member States to foster innovation and solidify culture as a foundational pillar.

    The Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World is convened to review the agenda, draft resolutions, and documents to be presented at the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, scheduled for February 12–13 in Jeddah.

    ICESCO Submits Proposals to Amend the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World’s Rules of Procedure

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) proposed a number of amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Islamic World, submitted to the 19th Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, held on Monday, 10 February 2025, in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    In his statement during the meeting, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of ICESCO’s Legal Affairs and International Standards Department, indicated that the new Rules of Procedure aim to enhance the organizational structures and promote governance and transparency, thus contributing to improving the efficiency of the Conference’s proceedings and regulating its mechanisms and procedures.

    “The new Rules of Procedure are in line with ICESCO’s vision of enhancing cooperation in the fields of heritage preservation, cultural dialogue, and joint projects. The proposals are submitted in fulfillment of the recommendations of the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, held in Doha on 12-13 September 2023,” added Mr. Shili.

    In the same vein, Mr. Shili highlighted several key amendments, most notably renaming the “Consultative Council for Cultural Development” to the “Executive Committee of the Conference of Ministers of Culture” and restructuring and regrouping the committees under one heading to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities.

    He also pointed out that the amendments provide for the permanent membership of the State of Palestine in all the Conference’s committees, emphasizing the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the importance of preserving Palestinian cultural heritage.

    Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World Holds Its 19th Meeting in Jeddah

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Saudi Ministry of Culture hosted the 19th Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World on Monday, 10 February 2025, in Jeddah. The meeting, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, focused on discussing the agenda, draft resolutions, and documents to be presented at the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, scheduled for February 12–13 in Jeddah.

    The opening session began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by ICESCO’s address delivered by Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector. He emphasized the organization’s efforts to cultivate excellence and innovation in the Islamic world as foundations for research and renewal in scientific, artistic, technical, and communication fields. He also highlighted ICESCO’s achievements in cultural development and the initiatives and documents to be presented at the upcoming conference.

    Dr. Zine El Abidine further noted that ICESCO is establishing specialized centers for calligraphy, manuscripts, poetry, and literature, stressing that the organization collaborates with its member states to develop strategic action plans that elevate culture to a central and foundational role in the Islamic world.

    Afterward, Dr. Talal bin Saud Al-Ruwais, Chairman of the Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, discussed the contributions of Islamic civilization to cultural advancement and stressed that the meeting serves as a preparatory step for the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, which aims to enhance cultural cooperation among ICESCO member states and review key resolutions on preserving tangible and intangible heritage.

    The opening session also included the approval of the new Council Bureau for its 19th session, with Saudi Arabia assuming the presidency from Qatar, which now serves as rapporteur, while Palestine and Senegal were appointed as vice presidents.

    Following the opening, the Council proceeded with two working sessions. The first session focused on approving the meeting’s agenda and reviewing several executive reports to be presented at the 13th Ministerial Conference, including arrangements for electing new Consultative Council members, the draft internal regulations of the Ministerial Conference, ICESCO’s cultural achievements report, and the report of the Islamic World Heritage Committee.

    In the second session, the Council examined key policy documents, including:

    ​•​ICESCO’s Initiative on Cultural Rights and the Right to Culture in Islamic World Countries

    ​•​A document on strengthening efforts to recover cultural properties in the Islamic world

    ​•​An analytical report on the list of world heritage sites in danger in the Islamic world

    ​•​A document on digitizing bilingual dictionaries in Islamic countries

    ​•​A document on the historical illustrated dictionary of Arabic calligraphy, presented by Saudi Arabia

    The meeting concluded with the adoption of the agenda, schedule, and documents for the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. Members of the Consultative Council praised ICESCO’s efforts in strengthening collaborative cultural initiatives across the Islamic world and acknowledged its achievements under its new strategic vision, underscoring the need for continued support of its endeavors.

    Winners Announced for the 4th Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Educational Facilities in Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences have announced the winners of the 4th Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Educational Facilities in the Islamic World. The prize honors outstanding voluntary initiatives that support and develop educational environments in countries of the Islamic world.

    The Hamdan-ICESCO Prize aims to achieve several strategic objectives, including encouraging and rewarding voluntary initiatives in education, promoting sustainable development efforts to create new and lasting educational environments, and supporting educational infrastructure in the Muslim world. These efforts contribute to improving education quality and ensuring equal access to educational opportunities.

    Announced in December 2023, the fourth edition of the prize attracted applications from both organizations and individuals across various Islamic countries. This year, nine educational initiatives from seven countries participated, reflecting the growing interest in voluntary action within the education sector.

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, commended the prize’s role in fostering voluntary action in education and highlighted the importance of developing educational facilities as a cornerstone for societal advancement.

    “Ensuring sustainable and inclusive education requires continuous support for voluntary efforts and philanthropic initiatives, which is the essence of this prize, organized in partnership with Hamdan Foundation. This edition’s winning projects reflect a real commitment to achieving positive change in beneficiary communities and provide pioneering models that can inspire further initiatives in the future. ICESCO remains committed to strengthening this initiative by collaborating with organizations that support education, contributing to the overall advancement of the sector,” Dr. AlMalik stated.

    H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, emphasized that the prize reflects the foundation’s vision of fostering an advanced educational environment that supports sustainable development in Islamic countries.

    “Investment in education is key to the future of societies. This prize honors and recognizes voluntary efforts that contribute to improving the educational environment. This edition’s winners have provided exceptional examples of projects with real impact, helping to build modern and sustainable learning environments and opening new horizons for students in beneficiary communities. We are proud of our partnership with ICESCO and look forward to supporting more inspiring projects that enhance the quality of education in the Muslim world,” H.E. Al Qatami added.

    The Prize Jury selected three outstanding institutions for their pioneering projects in developing educational facilities:
    • Hadramawt Foundation – Human Development (Yemen): Awarded for its “Pilot High Schools” project (Models), which aims to establish and develop modern pilot high schools in Hadramawt Governorate, enhancing the region’s education quality.
    • Heydar Aliyev Foundation (Azerbaijan): Recognized for its “Educational and Social Support Project,” which focuses on building and rehabilitating schools in multiple countries, both within and beyond the Islamic world.
    • Moroccan Foundation for Primary Education (Morocco): Honored for its initiative to equip primary education departments in rural, semi-rural, and urban areas across the Kingdom, ensuring an integrated learning environment for children in remote regions.

    This edition of the prize reinforces its commitment to encouraging voluntary initiatives that improve educational environments by recognizing innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges in the education sector. The strong participation numbers further establish the Hamdan-ICESCO Prize as one of the leading programs supporting voluntary action in education and contributing to the sustainable development of the sector across the Islamic world.

    The winners will be honored at an upcoming official award ceremony, where each will receive the prize shield and a financial award to support their projects and benefit their target communities.

    ICESCO and SASO Explore Aspects of Joint Cooperation in Quality Standards

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Saad bin Othman Alkasabi, Governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Vice-Chairman of its Board of Directors, discussed prospects for cooperation between the two sides in quality standards, raising awareness of their importance, and adopting them as a key driver for enhancing performance across various sectors.

    At the outset of the meeting, held on Friday 7 February 2025, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the international awards and quality certifications ICESCO has received in recent years in management, governance, and innovation. Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s adherence to scientific and methodological standards to enhance performance, positioning it as a distinguished organizations recognized by international bodies, organizations, and governments.

    Dr. AlMalik outlined key initiatives undertaken to achieve this progress, including reviewing the staff regulations, recruiting outstanding talent from diverse countries without discrimination, strengthening transparency and credibility, and adopting an intensive work approach in the Organization’s fields of action. Dr. AlMalik also emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to renewal, with young professionals comprising over 40% of its staff and women holding 50% of leadership positions. This strategic approach has resulted in significant achievements across projects and activities in collaboration with Member States and global partners. Many of these initiatives have gained international prominence due to the added value they offer participants across various fields and disciplines.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik highlighted Organization’s rigorous performance evaluation and continuous development processes, which have strengthened its position as a center of expertise in education, science, and culture. Through its open and inclusive approach, ICESCO has expanded cooperation with a broad network of partners, securing additional funding for its projects and programs. Many of these initiatives align with the priorities of key stakeholders, particularly those focused on youth and women’s capacity building, heritage preservation, and the protection of heritage sites in the Islamic world. Dr. AlMalik further emphasized ICESCO’s efforts in publishing cultural indicators guide, promoting coexistence, peace, and civilizational dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, and fostering investment in technology, innovation, space science, and artificial intelligence.

    In this regard, the Organization has launched the Islamic World Charter for Artificial Intelligence, advanced the culture of foresight, and strengthened the global standing of the Arabic language. These initiatives, along with other strategic programs, are executed through ICESCO’s specialized centers, which adhere to high standards. Among these the Center for Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, Civilizational Dialogue Center, Translation and Publishing Center, and the Center of Foresight and Artificial intelligence. Additional centers, such as the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, are set to be launched soon.

    Dr. Alkasabi commended ICESCO’s efforts in advancing its areas of expertise across the Islamic world, expressing particular interest in the Organization’s approach to aligning its work with international quality standards while also developing specialized standards tailored to its needs. He highlighted key areas such as artificial intelligence, heritage preservation, and Arabic calligraphy and manuscripts.
    Dr. Alkasabi emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to integrate ICESCO’s quality standards into the SMIIC’s framework and proposed nominating these standards for ISO certification to establish them as globally recognized benchmarks.

    Given the historical significance of metrology and standardization in the Islamic world, Dr. Alkasabi underscored ICESCO’s role as a modern extension of this legacy. He further advocated for the development of a comprehensive document outlining the distinctive characteristics of this field in the region, incorporating new advancements, and promoting public and educational awareness on it.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to collaborate on organizing specialized forums and workshops in quality, measurement, and standards, and to work together to have the newly developed quality standards adopted by the relevant Islamic and international bodies.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Office of Director General, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of Legal Affairs and International Standards Department, and Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Translation and Publishing Center.

    ICESCO Launches Green and Clean School Campus Contest in Bangladesh to Promote Environmental Awareness

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO, launched the “Green and Clean School Campus Contest”, which aims to transform schools into centers of sustainability. As part of this initiative, students and teachers will collaborate together to implement environmentally friendly projects, focusing on reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and delivering innovative green solutions.

    The Contest, which was launched on Thursday 6 February 2025, at a ceremony hosted by the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) in Dhaka, saw the attendance of a number of officials, representatives of regional organizations, faculty members, and students who demonstrated a full commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in Bangladeshi schools.

    Representing ICESCO via videoconference, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector, emphasized the urgent need to train future generations in environmental management. Dr. Raheel highlighted that the Green and Clean School Campus Contest aims to inspire and engage both faculty members and students in collective efforts to maintain environmentally sustainable schools.

    The three-month Contest engages ten selected schools in Dhaka, guiding them to implement green initiatives, integrate sustainability into students’ daily routines, maintain clean campuses, manage waste efficiently, and enhance water conservation. The goal is to extend these practices beyond schools into classrooms and communities.