Category: News

AlMalik Thanks the Rais for Hosting the Organization’s General Conference and Confirms ICESCO’s Readiness to Launch the Tuqay Cultural Award

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, on the sidelines of the 15th session of ICESCO’s General Conference. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to cooperate in ensuring the success of the celebration of Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026, as well as building youth capacity in the field of entrepreneurship.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the capital, Kazan, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deepest gratitude to Rais Minnikhanov for his country’s hosting of the Organization’s General Conference, noting that the proceedings were conducted in a manner befitting Tatarstan’s status as a cultural bridge between the Islamic world and Russia.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to launch a cultural award named after the Tatarstani thinker, writer, and poet Ğabdulla Tuqay, and to collaborate on the preparation of a special program to celebrate the city of Kazan during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, due to be held next June. He also affirmed ICESCO’s commitment to cooperate in implementing the Organization’s program for training youth on how to start small projects in the fields of technology and innovation in Tatarstan, in parallel with the Kazan Global Youth Summit.

For his part, His Excellency Rais Minnikhanov expressed his appreciation for the selection of Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, noting that this would contribute to highlighting the city’s cultural heritage and rich history.

The two sides discussed mechanisms for establishing a regional ICESCO center in Kazan and the Organization’s participation as a strategic partner in organizing the annual meeting of the “Russia–Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group.

The meeting was attended on the ICESCO side by Dr. Abdellilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector. Representing the Tatar side were Ms. Liliia Fazlieva, Deputy Prime Minister; Ms. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture; Mr. Marat Gatin, Assistant to the Rais and Deputy Chairman of the “Russia–Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group; and Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Assistant to the Rais for International Relations.

The proceedings of the 15th session of the General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) opened on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, in the presence of His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, with the participation of a number of ministers, heads of National Commissions, Member States’ delegations, and representatives of international and regional organizations, both in person and remotely.

In his address at the opening session, His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov stated that Russia and the countries of the Islamic world have traditionally been bound by strong relations based on trust and mutual respect. He added that convening the ICESCO General Conference in Kazan strengthens multilateral relationships between Russia and the Organization’s Member States, commending the efforts of ICESCO under the leadership of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik in its fields of competence.

For his part, Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, commended Dr. AlMalik’s role in developing the fields of culture, education, and science, and his contribution to strengthening the Organization’s regional and international presence. He welcomed the renewal of confidence in Dr. AlMalik to ensure the continuity of programs and projects and expand their impact.

Subsequently, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt and President of the ICESCO General Conference, affirmed that ICESCO continues to consolidate its position as an effective international organization in education, science, culture, and communication, serving as a platform for civilizational dialogue, the promotion of joint Islamic action, and the anticipation of global transformations. He considered that the accomplished achievements reflect an institutional model based on partnership with the Member States.

In the statement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Sami bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Alsadhan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation, expressed thanks to Member States for the re-election of Dr. AlMalik, the Kingdom’s nominee, for a second term, highlighting ICESCO’s role in promoting the values of understanding and rapprochement among peoples.

Following the General Conference’s approval of his election for a second term, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, reviewed the Organization’s institutional frameworks that provide greater flexibility and enhanced capacity for adaptation and resilience. He also outlined the goals of the next phase, describing it as an innovative vision centered on creativity, driven by youth, and grounded in the firm belief that the future is shaped through knowledge, openness, and joint action.

Dr. AlMalik noted that the Organization seeks to expand its impact beyond the Islamic world by building bridges of civilizational dialogue, strengthening cultural presence, and opening up to the horizons of science, research, and foresight, emphasizing that the true measure of success lies in the impact of programs and initiatives on the lives of peoples.

Concluding his address, the Director-General of ICESCO thanked Member States for renewing their confidence, and extended special thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. He also commended Tatarstan’s hosting of the Conference and expressed his appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and to the Moroccan Government for their support and for hosting the Organization’s headquarters.

During its two-day sessions, the Conference will consider the approval of applications submitted by Turkmenistan, Brazil, and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law to obtain observer status with the Organization. It will also approve the report of the Executive Council and the report of the General Directorate on activities for the period 2021–2025, as well as the draft strategic plan and budget for 2026–2029.

The General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) approved the continuation of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s chairmanship of its 15th session, which kicked off on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the city of Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation.

In the same context, agreement was reached, following consultations, on the composition of the Bureau of the General Conference, whereby the representative of the Republic of Senegal will serve as Vice-Chair, while the representative of the Republic of Maldives will serve as Rapporteur. The Bureau will continue its work for a four-year term until the convening of the 16th session of the ICESCO General Conference.

On this occasion, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt and President of the ICESCO General Conference, stated that ICESCO is moving forward with confidence in consolidating its position as an effective international organization in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication. He added that the Organization has, in recent years, succeeded in presenting an advanced institutional model based on partnership with Member States and their National Commissions, as well as openness to emerging trends and future challenges.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the opening of the history and contemporary art exhibition titled “Paradise Gardens: The Art of Russian Islam,” on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The exhibition is organized by the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation at its headquarters in Kazan, with high-level attendance, including ministers and officials, led by Ms. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture of Tatarstan.

In his opening remarks, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the special significance of the exhibition, being organized concurrently with ICESCO’s celebration of Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026. He underscored that this celebration represents an exceptional opportunity to showcase the city’s cultural treasures to the world and strengthen artistic and intellectual exchange among civilizations.

The ICESCO Director-General commended the cultural outreach of the exhibition, which embodies the memory of the city of Kazan through its poetry, musical melodies, and handicrafts across the ages. He emphasized that the city speaks the language of culture through its streets, architecture, and distinguished museums, a characteristic shared by Tatarstan as a whole, where music, painting, and traditional crafts flourish, and where the literary heritage and poetry of Abdullah Tukay illuminate the minds and hearts of its people.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan opens broader horizons for Tatar culture by shedding light on the richness of national heritage, in addition to its role in presenting the region’s artistic identity and promoting cultural dialogue among nations and peoples.

He concluded by commending the efforts of the Ministry of Culture of Tatarstan in promoting cultural excellence, which have contributed to making Kazan a shining model of a city where heritage and contemporary creativity coexist in complete harmony.

It is worth noting that the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan is the oldest museum in the country. It houses the private collection of Russian archaeologist and historian Andrei Likhachev, comprising 40,000 artifacts, as well as a valuable collection of rare manuscripts and the personal archives of prominent figures in Tatar culture.

The General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) unanimously approved the re-election of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik as Director-General of the Organization for a new term, following Dr. AlMalik’s nomination by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the 15th session of the General Conference, which kicked off on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.

In this context, the ICESCO General Conference approved a proposal submitted by the Arab Republic of Egypt to add two years to Dr. AlMalik’s first mandate, in compensation for the exceptional circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on the Organization’s strategic plans, and in recognition of the significant progress achieved by ICESCO at both the international and regional levels.

In his address following the election, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah protect him, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for the honor of his nomination. He noted that this nomination reflects the Kingdom’s approach to strengthening inspiring leadership, mobilizing human capacities, and advancing Saudi leaders to assume positions of leadership in international organizations, thereby reaffirming the Kingdom’s advanced role in building a future founded on peace, security, and prosperity.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed that ICESCO, as the civilizational voice of the Islamic world, stands ready to move forward with its Member States to translate civilizational enlightenment into reality, particularly as a historic opportunity opens for the Islamic world to advance boldly in shaping a new era. He emphasized that the region possesses the material and human capacities that qualify it to achieve its aspirations.

It is worth noting that ICESCO has, in recent years, undergone comprehensive development and extensive modernization across its sectors, departments, and centers, in line with innovative action plans and a strategic vision aimed at developing and implementing pioneering initiatives, programs, and projects in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, and communication. This has been accompanied by openness to broad partnership horizons that have positioned the Organization at the forefront of advanced, high-performing, and distinguished regional organizations.

Kazan Federal University in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation hosted a cultural seminar dedicated to “Khamissiyat”, the poetry collection of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The event was attended by Dr. Murat Gatin, Assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the “Russia – Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group, along with university officials, academics, researchers, students, and individuals interested in cultural affairs.

During the seminar, Dr. AlMalik presented his vision of poetry as a space for contemplation and a medium for shaping meaning, considering that measured verse remains capable of consolidating values and cultivating a refined taste. He further emphasized that literary creativity constitutes a complementary dimension to cultural and intellectual work in a rapidly changing world.

Dr. AlMalik also shared details of his experience with “Khamissiyat,” explaining that the work brought him new friendships and opened for him worlds and horizons previously unfamiliar to him. It also deepened his connection to his homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While love for his homeland had long been present within his conscience, the five-line poems, as he expressed it, came to articulate that love through an aesthetic awareness befitting the “homeland of values and beauty.”

He explained that the writing of this poetry collection extended over eleven consecutive years, during which he composed five-line poems characterized by density of meaning and reflections on contemplation, identity, and values. He also addressed the writing of poetry in the age of artificial intelligence, affirming that lived human experience is the substance that grants poetry its uniqueness, and that poetic texts cannot be reduced to technology alone, but are instead shaped by the pulse and journey of human beings.

Dr. AlMalik added that “Khamissiyat” enabled him to move beyond the formal handling of issues concerning the Islamic world toward a more human and emotionally resonant mode of expression, which he described as a gain that broadens the horizons of expression and brings the message closer to people.

Following the seminar, students recited excerpts from “Khamissiyat,” touching on themes of faith, wisdom, ethics, and praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The university subsequently proposed translating the collection into Russian, a proposal warmly welcomed by Dr. AlMalik.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a forum titled “The Blue Economy Needs Her: Digitalization, Innovation, and Women’s Leadership,” featuring experts and professionals from African countries who participated in person and remotely. The forum took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in celebration of the International Day for Women in the Maritime Sector on May 18.

During the opening session, a video message from ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik was streamed. In the message, he emphasized that the forum went beyond a simple discussion of maritime economic opportunities, reflecting a deeper ambition to broaden the horizons of participation, leadership, and human progress. He noted that throughout history, ports have been places where civilizations intersect and ideas are exchanged. He added that today’s digital transformation is reshaping maritime industries and opening new avenues for development and cooperation.

Dr. AlMalik added that women are increasingly asserting their presence at the heart of these transformations. He emphasized that their participation in leadership roles enriches institutions with a renewed vision and strengthens the human dimension of innovation. Dr. AlMalik also noted that the blue economy occupies a prominent place among ICESCO’s strategic priorities, especially since more than 40 of the Organization’s Member States are coastal countries. This opens up vast prospects for food security, scientific cooperation, and economic resilience.

Ms. Sabah Lazraq, Director of the Fisheries Industry at Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, emphasized that developing the blue economy requires supporting the digital transition and promoting innovation within maritime value chains. She highlighted the importance of facilitating women’s access to training, professional empowerment, and entrepreneurship in maritime professions.

This was followed by a high-level session that brought together leading speakers from Africa and stakeholders from the maritime sector. The discussions focused on women’s leadership in the blue economy from strategic and practical perspectives, combining visions, on-the-ground experiences, and success stories.

The forum included a specialized workshop titled “Women, Digitalization, and the Future of Ports,” led by Dr. Sara AlMahri, a researcher and startup founder at the University of Cambridge. Dr. AlMahri presented a forward-looking vision of the inclusive digitalization of ports and provided concrete examples illustrating how innovation can create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has won the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Award for Creativity in the Service of the Arabic Language in the category of institutions during its second edition, which this year focused on the theme of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

The Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation in the State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the Arab Parliament, announced that ICESCO had won the prize for its Network System for Educational Proficiency (Mishkat) project, jointly with the project of the Center of Education Development for Envoys and Foreign Students at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

It is worth noting that the total value of the prize amounts to USD 100,000, including USD 40,000 allocated to the Individuals Category and USD 60,000 to the Institutions Category. The second edition of the prize received 142 submissions, including 124 scholarly works in the Individuals Category and 18 specialized projects in the Institutions Category.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), extends his warmest congratulations to the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco on the remarkable success of the 31st Rabat International Book Fair, held on 1-10 May 2026, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, concurrently with the celebration of Rabat as the World Book Capital for 2026.

Dr. AlMalik commended the distinctive qualities of this edition, including a balanced, high-quality participation and a broad cultural presence, with a record participation of 61 countries and 891 exhibitors, as well as more than 130,000 titles and over 3 million copies on display across various fields of creativity and knowledge, reinforcing the fair’s standing as a prominent international event dedicated to reading and publishing.

ICESCO Director-General also lauded the cultural program of this edition, which celebrated the legacy of the traveler Ibn Battuta and featured more than 204 events with the participation of over 720 speakers, including intellectuals and creators, who discussed issues related to books and reading as well as developments in the cultural and creative industries.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO’s pavilion marked a significant participation in this edition, hosting more than 60 activities organized under the supervision of the Organization’s Culture Sector, with the participation of a group of ICESCO’s intellects, writers, poets, and experts. He noted the Organization’s commitment to continuing its support for major cultural initiatives and strengthening partnerships that promote cultural influence in the Islamic world.