The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Muslim World League (MWL) and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, announced the Ramadan opening hours for the The International Fairs and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat.
The Exhibition will be open to visitors during the holy month from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Monday, starting from Saturday, March 1, until Friday, March 21, 2025.
The first of its kind to be held outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Exhibition is held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and seeks to showcase the message of Islam and its values of justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence, and moderation, drawing on the teachings of the Holy Quran, the noble Sunnah, and bright Islamic history, using the latest interactive display technology.
The International Exhibition and Museum consists of three pavilions: the “The International Fairs and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization,” the “Panorama of the Noble Prophet’s Chamber,” displayed using 3D and virtual reality technologies under the supervision of MWL, and the “Exhibition on the Attachment of Moroccans to the Noble Prophet, a Symbol of Love and Loyalty,” which is supervised by the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Since its opening on November 28, 2022, the Exhibition has attracted nearly five million visitors, reflecting its status as a prominent destination for those wishing to delve deeper into the details of the Prophet’s Biography and shining Islamic history.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized the “Youth Knowledge Forum for the Islamic World” at its headquarters in Rabat, in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Launched on Thursday 20 February 2025, under the theme “Knowledge is the Future,” the forum gathered hundreds of young men and women in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and forward-looking discussions. The two-day event aimed to showcase a range of inspiring youth role models and empower the youth of the Islamic world by preparing them for future careers and fostering creativity and innovation in knowledge transfer, dissemination, and localization.
The Forum, marking the conclusion of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, commenced with an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, who emphasized that youth and the future are at the heart of the Forum’s discussions, both being inseparable from knowledge. He underscored that knowledge is the foundation upon which civilizations are built, nations flourish, and the future is shaped. Dr. AlMalik further highlighted that, in Islam, science has always been a means to seek Allah’s pleasure, cultivate life on earth, and advance societies.
Dr. AlMalik, wearing the forum’s jersey during his speech, expressed his delight in holding this event at ICESCO, an organization dedicated to thought and knowledge, distinguished by its youthful spirit. Addressing the young participants, Dr. AlMalik stated, “You are the beating hearts of your communities and the hope of your nations… Those armed with knowledge are the ones who drive positive change.” He further emphasized that the civilization of the Islamic world has long been a model in utilizing knowledge for the service of humanity, instilling in its youth a deep sense of pride in their identity as they move forward toward the future.
In his speech, Dr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s belief that building minds is synonymous with building the future and that investing in human knowledge is the true key to sustainable development. He highlighted the Foundation’s continuous efforts to launch initiatives and design programs that empower young people and enhance their skills. Among its most notable initiatives is the “Youth Knowledge Forum for the Islamic World,” a global platform that fosters innovation and knowledge entrepreneurship while contributing to foresight with an ambitious youth-driven vision.
Moreover, Dr. Huwaireb highlighted the achievements of Islamic world scholars, inspiring young people to follow their path in knowledge, creativity, and innovation. He emphasized that equipping youth with digital skills is imperative to ensure their active participation in driving progress and building sustainable economies.
Following, Mr. Ahmed Nihad Abdel Latif, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Morocco, extended his sincere congratulations to the organizers, emphasizing the forum’s significance. He underscored that discussing the knowledge system is fundamental to the development of all societies. He further highlighted that this forum marks the culmination of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, which received the support of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and saw the launch of several key initiatives, including 100 presidential scholarships for youth from the Islamic world to pursue studies at Egyptian universities.
For her part, Ms. Ilaria Carnivali, Resident Representative of UNDP in the Kingdom of Morocco, emphasized the rapid pace of digital transformation worldwide. She highlighted that knowledge remains the cornerstone amid advancements in modern technologies and the growing demand for new skills. This, she noted, necessitates intensifying efforts to support youth by equipping them with the necessary skills through education and training, ensuring their readiness for the future and the evolving job market. Notably, the first day of the forum was moderated by Mr. Nawfel Al Awamleh and Ms. Dalia Ashraf and featured four sessions. The first session explored “The Future of Knowledge in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation.” The second session touched on “UNDP Youth Initiatives,” while the third focused on “ICESCO Youth Initiatives.” The fourth and fifth sessions showcased inspiring success stories of youth.
Following two days of insightful scientific sessions and discussions on the future and standards of teaching Arabic as a second language, participants in the international conference, held under the same title as the report “Status of Arabic Language Education in the World,” announced a set of recommendations to address challenges in teaching Arabic as a second language. These recommendations aim to provide practical solutions for developing educational policies in the field. The conference was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat on February 18–19, 2025.
The recommendations highlighted the efforts of ICESCO and the Academy in advancing the Arabic language, knowledge, and culture. They also praised the “Status of Arabic Language Education in the World” report, its findings, and the methodologies used for data collection, analysis, and dissemination. The report provided a comprehensive analysis of Arabic language education in more than 300 educational institutions across 30 non-Arabic-speaking countries. The recommendations further emphasized the anticipated positive impact of the report in promoting Arabic language learning and the importance of ensuring that its outcomes reach relevant stakeholders.
The recommendations, which emerged from seven discussion sessions held over two days, also called on ICESCO Member States to strengthen their language policies and their implementation and underscored the need for greater institutional collaboration, better management of human resources to create a supportive environment for teachers, and the importance of specialized workshops and seminars. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of academic exchange programs between language education institutions.
Furthermore, the recommendations, which were formulated by 50 experts, specialists, and representatives from regional and international linguistic institutions, stressed the necessity of expanding financial support to empower institutions working in Arabic language education. They also advocated for the development of language education policies that align with learners’ needs and objectives, the attraction of more Arabic language learners, and the design of curricula that account for the linguistic and cultural diversity of students.
The Saudi Cabinet, held in Riyadh on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, and chaired by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed the contents of the Jeddah Declaration, issued by the 13th Conference of Culture Ministers in the Islamic World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Ministry of Culture on 12-13 February 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a press release, the Cabinet welcomed the Declaration’s shared vision for leveraging culture to drive social and economic progress, safeguard Islamic heritage, and foster collaborative efforts to address global challenges.
The Jeddah Declaration emphasized the role of culture as a key pillar in building societies and consolidating national identities, a driver of economic and social growth, and an effective means of addressing many current crises. It stressed the importance of managing and preserving cultural assets against the adverse effects of climate change and ensuring their sustainability, as well as the need to enable cultural institutions to play a vital role in this regard. The Declaration also called for intensifying efforts to protect the endangered heritage of the Islamic world, especially in the State of Palestine, considering heritage protection a major responsibility of the entire international community.
It is noteworthy that the Cabinet held its session on the occasion of Foundation Day, observed on February 22 each year, to celebrate the history of the Saudi State, its three-century-long civilization, and its journey of progress and development.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), and his accompanying delegation. The meeting took place as part of the International Conference on the Status of the Arabic Language in the World and aimed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the two entities and develop joint initiatives to support the spread of Arabic while enhancing its regional and international presence in scientific, educational, and cultural fields.
Discussions focused on several key issues, including the development of Arabic language curricula to align with modern technological and knowledge advancements, as well as the enhancement of programs targeting non-Arabic speakers to expand the language’s global reach.
Dr. AlMalik emphasized that promoting the Arabic language is an integral part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Islamic world. He highlighted that the partnership between ICESCO and the Academy would provide innovative solutions to reinforce Arabic’s usage across various sectors.
For his part, Dr. Al-Washmi affirmed the Academy’s commitment to collaborating closely with ICESCO in implementing high-impact projects that support the Arabic language and highlight its civilizational role. He praised ICESCO’s strategic vision, which has significantly contributed to strengthening Arabic’s global presence. Additionally, he referenced a joint project between the two institutions to launch an international report on the status of Arabic in 30 countries across five continents, with contributions from specialized researchers, aiming to bolster the language’s regional and global standing.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Washmi outlined the Academy’s key focus areas, including language planning and policy, educational and cultural linguistic programs, and computational linguistics.
Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Al-Washmi and his delegation to ICESCO’s “Mishkat” Center, where they were introduced to the Organization’s virtual training courses, conducted by experts and accessed by learners from various countries. They also received a briefing on a newly launched Arabic language course for non-Arabic speakers.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) launched a report on “The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World,” which aims to achieve a qualitative leap in the teaching of Arabic as a second language at the global level by developing policies and strategies that contribute to improving the quality of education, analyzing the current Status of Arabic language education centers, promoting their spread, and overcoming the challenges they face. This report is the first of its kind to study the reality of Arabic language education in non-Arabic-speaking countries. It features a comprehensive analysis of more than 300 educational institutions in 30 countries.
The report was launched on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, during the International Conference on the Status of Arabic Language Education in the World, held by ICESCO at its headquarters in Rabat, in partnership with KSGAAL. The conference witnessed a high-level presence of experts and specialists in teaching Arabic as a second language, as well as representatives of regional and international language institutions. The conference reviewed and discussed the contents of the report, the future of Arabic education and teaching standards, the development of educational programs, and the strengthening of coordination between Arabic teaching institutions around the world.
The report includes detailed data on educational institutions, including the numbers of faculty members, learners, curricula, teaching mechanisms, techniques used, and methods of evaluation, in addition to analyzing the professional value of graduates. The report also monitors the most prominent challenges facing the teaching of the Arabic language and devises practical solutions to develop educational policies and enhance coordination between the relevant bodies.
In this regard, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language and its vision in establishing itself as a global leader in advancing the Arabic language. Dr. AlMalik highlighted KSGAAL’s collaboration with ICESCO in producing The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World, emphasizing its role in strengthening Arabic’s global standing as a vital medium of communication that showcases Arab culture and Islamic civilization and reflects a distinctive and methodical approach to addressing Arabic language issues.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the Secretary-General of the King Salman Academy for the Arabic Language, pointed out that KSGAAL enjoys the continuous support of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al-Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of KSGAAL’s Board of Trustees. This support, he noted, strengthens the implementation of diverse linguistic initiatives that promote the Arabic language locally and globally. Dr. Al-Washmi further emphasized that the report represents a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive knowledge base on Arabic language education, serving as a key reference for policymakers and academic institutions in developing curricula and educational programs.
The publication of The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World report is part of ICESCO and KSGAAL’s efforts aimed at supporting Arabic language learning, enhancing its global presence, and contributing to the development of its education strategies in line with international best practices.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in cooperation with Mohammed V University in Rabat, held on Monday, February 17, 2025, the International Health Conference on “Transforming Global Health: Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).” The three-day conference aims to offer a platform for researchers, officials, policymakers, healthcare workers, and students to discuss suitable mechanisms to contribute to countering NTDs and fostering equal treatment opportunities.
During the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that the conference reflects a shared commitment to fighting one of the most pressing health challenges, further explaining that despite the great advancements in medical research, NTDs still affect more than a billion people worldwide, especially in poor communities. He added that achieving comprehensive health justice necessitates the eradication of these diseases, reaffirming ICESCO’s commitment to sustaining its efforts to address NTDs, in line with its steadfast belief in the dire need to promote its Member States’ healthcare systems, consolidate international cooperation, and mobilize the scientific expertise needed to achieve this goal. He also stressed that combating these diseases requires multilateral cooperation and long-term investments, an objective targeted by this conference through providing field training to 50 participants and equipping healthcare workers with the necessary skills and expertise to replicate them in their countries.
For his part, Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, COMSTECH Coordinator General, stated that the fight against NTDs requires the global community’s attention to strive to fill in the information gaps regarding their complex composition, contagious nature, and numerous outbreak factors, commending the joint programs and initiatives of ICESCO and COMSTECH in service of the Member States and humanity at large.
Speaking next, Dr. Amal Thimou, Vice Dean for Academic and Research Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Mohammed V University in Rabat, underlined the need for the global community to share the responsibility of guaranteeing a safe and healthy world where individuals can live in communities that uphold health as a priority and a right for all.
Afterward, the first working session was held under the theme: “Eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Global Health Imperative.” The session was moderated by Mr. Anas Doukkali, Former Minister of Health of Morocco, and brought together a host of international officials and experts to discuss NTDs as a major global health issue facing poor communities. The session also discussed the devastating economic repercussions of the lack of awareness of these diseases, stressing the need for concerted efforts, leveraging modern technology, and increasing funding for scientific medical research to promote prevention measures and curb their natural and climate-induced spread.
The second session, moderated by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector, discussed the theme, “Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases: Field Perspectives and Best Practices,” with the participation of international experts and officials. The session addressed states’ effective practices to prevent the spread of tropical diseases, notably the Kingdom of Morocco, considered a model in fighting a number of diseases such as leishmaniasis, leprosy, and trachoma, following effective strategies.
Discussions also focused on the importance of promoting accurate diagnosis, building the capacities of healthcare workers, and capitalizing on impactful success stories as key levers of change.
On the sidelines of the conference, training sessions on countering NTDs will be organized for the benefit of 50 participants from ICESCO’s Member States, both at the Organization’s headquarters and the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Mohammed V University in Rabat.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), underlined that social justice is the cornerstone of societal stability and development, stressing the need for the concerted efforts of governments, parliaments, and economic and social institutions to achieve it.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the opening session of the Ninth International Parliamentary Forum on Social Justice, organized by the Moroccan Parliament under the theme, “The Generalization of Social Protection in Morocco: A Vision of Development in Line with International Standards.”
Dr. AlMalik explained that the concept of justice transcends the mere distribution of wealth to encompass providing equal opportunities, guaranteeing the basic rights of citizens, and striking a balance between economic development and social protection. In this connection, the Director-General highlighted ICESCO’s role in supporting Member States’ efforts to consolidate social justice through policies that foster wage equality, expand health coverage, and promote innovation in development.
The Director-General also discussed the concept of social justice throughout history, recalling the values of Islamic teachings in balancing the various segments of society. He also commended the pioneering initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the field of social protection, which have made Morocco a role model in this field.
As part of the Digital Space Human Rights Strategy project, the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a training workshop on February 13–14, 2025, focused on ICESCO’s project management mechanisms. The workshop was held for students of the Master’s Program in Human Rights and Public Policies at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra.
On the first day, the workshop reviewed ICESCO’s major projects and provided hands-on training on project management and governance mechanisms. The sessions aimed to enhance students’ capacities in designing and managing projects related to human rights, international organizations, and public policies.
The second day focused on cybercrime and digital transformation in the age of artificial intelligence. The sessions were overseen by the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation and the Council of Europe Office in Morocco. The day included a detailed presentation on the Budapest Cybercrime Convention and Morocco’s efforts to implement its provisions effectively.
The workshop also featured specialized presentations. Youssef Bentaleb, President of the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation, provided an overview of the challenges of cybercrime. Dr. Houssein Waabida, Research Professor at Ibn Tofail University, delivered a presentation on the latest applications of artificial intelligence, highlighting tools that contribute to the development of academic research in the field.
The workshop was part of the celebration of Safer Internet Day, held under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform. The event saw the participation of ICESCO staff and the presence of Dr. Ahmed Ajoun, Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at Ibn Tofail University, along with professors overseeing the Master’s Program in Human Rights and Public Policy.
The Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 12-13 February 2025, marked the release of the first issue of ICESCO’s Cultural Journal.
The new journal, published by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), features various articles on cultural, educational and literary topics, shedding light on contemporary issues relevant to the cultural scene in the Islamic world.
The first issue of the Journal includes interviews with a number of prominent figures in the fields of culture, education and science, including Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, who stressed that the Organization has become a hub of expertise for all intellectuals and creators in the Islamic world. The issue also includes interviews with the Saudi critic and scholar, Dr. Abdullah al-Ghathami, and with Dr. Khalid Samadi, Moroccan educational expert and former Moroccan Secretary of State to the Minister of Education for Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ICESCO’s Cultural Journal is set to have a major role in promoting cultural and educational dialogue in the Islamic world and a positive impact on the cultural and educational scene in the region. It will be available electronically for all readers, followers, and specialists.
