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    Category: News

    ICESCO: Challenges Necessitate Rethinking Ways to Strengthen International Human Rights System

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    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that the current global challenges necessitate rethinking the way to strengthen the human rights system, given the failure to enforce these rights effectively and the recurrent flagrant violations of ratified international laws and treaties, especially during armed conflicts, including war crimes, forced displacement and attacks on civilians, which undermine the international system aimed at protecting human rights.

    This statement was made in the video address he delivered on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the opening session of the 10th Glion Human Rights Dialogue, organized by the Ministerial Delegation in charge of Human Rights, the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights and the Global Rights Group, with the support of ICESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Marrakech over two days.

    He also highlighted the pivotal role of international cooperation in improving the efficiency of the UN human rights system, stressing the importance of national mechanisms in translating international instruments into tangible reality at the local level in such a way as to transform international commitments to human rights into concrete policies and programs that promote human dignity and protect human rights.

    Moreover, ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s initiatives and programs to support the efforts of its Member States in promoting inherent rights, including the right to education, cultural, health and digital rights, developing sustainable environmental policies, ensuring women’s rights, as well as issuing the Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, which includes upholding rights and enriching human values emanating from our noble religion.

    Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of ICESCO’s Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, participated in the discussion session on National Implementation, Reporting and Tracking Mechanisms – Key Characteristics, Best Practices and Challenges: Participation/consultation with judicial authorities, civil society, national human rights institutions, UN groups, and local governments.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy

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    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Koutoub discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two parties in areas of shared interest.

    During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his pride in being selected as a member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, a prestigious global institution that brings together distinguished jurists, scholars and thinkers from various fields of Islamic jurisprudence, culture, science, and economics across the Islamic world.

    Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to promoting the civilization of Islam worldwide through a series of initiatives that enrich civilization dialogue. These initiatives included hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO’s headquarters, as well as the “Read it to Understand it” initiative, aimed at countering the desperate attempts disrespecting the Holy Quran, and bringing to light western stances that provide positive views of the Quran.

    For his part, Dr. Koutoub commended ICESCO’s roles and its efforts in supporting its Member States across its areas of expertise. He also reiterated his invitation to Dr. AlMalik to attend the 26th Session of the Academy, which will be hosted in Doha, in the State of Qatar next November.

    The meeting also discussed proposals for cooperation between ICESCO and IIFA, which was established in 1981 and includes the 57 Member States of the OIC.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy DG, and Dr. Hani Al Balawi, Expert at the Organization’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

    Introductory Workshop on “Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in Islamic world”

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, held an introductory workshop on the Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Educational Facilities in the Islamic World. The Workshop aimed to highlight the significance of this Prize and to review the eligibility criteria for nominations and competition.

    The Workshop, held on Monday, October 14, 2024, via videoconferencing, was hosted at “Mishkat” Hall at ICESCO headquarters. It saw the participation of several members of national commissions from Member States, along with representatives from associations, organizations, and institutions involved in educational facility development.

    The Workshop featured a general presentation on the partnership program between ICESCO and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences. It also included discussions on the ICESCO-Hamdan system for educational proficiency in the field of Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, known as “Mishkat,” as well as a detailed presentation on the Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Educational Facilities in the Islamic World. This presentation covered the Prize’s achievements, criteria, and future prospects.

    During the Workshop, attendees heard a testimonial from the Royal Humanitarian Foundation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, one of the institutions that won the Prize in its 3rd edition.

    The Workshop was supervised by Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the DG for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Mr. Adel Bouraoui, Advisor to the DG responsible for ICESCO’s external bodies in the field of Arabic language, and Mr. Mohammed Al Owais from the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, who provided an overview of the technical steps for applying for the Prize through its official website.

    ICESCO Calls for Anchoring Principles of faiths and Combating Atheist Ideas

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    Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for providing adolescents with ample opportunities for faith education, creating creative programs targeting young people, and designing TV shows that leverage AI applications to link science to faith and steer away from and combat atheist ideas. Dr. AlMalik also highlighted the need to celebrate the voices of faith from numerous major countries, stressing the importance of promoting faith-related issues as the topic of the hour and adopting the model of the Global Faith Alliance, which is based on the pillars of monotheism and morality.

    Dr. AlMalik made this statement on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the opening of the International Conference on Faith in a Changing World. The two-day conference is held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, by the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars, under the high-patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and brought together a host of scholars, researchers and religious leaderships.

    At the outset, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of faith as a constant and truth that reflect the meaning and purpose of life and guide our deeds as an infinite source of wisdom. He added that recognizing the pivotal role of faith can reveal its power of influence on individuals and societies.

    The DG also stated that there are a number of reasons that explain the decline of faith at various levels, especially issues relating to conflicts, and the waves of depression and frustration that are taking our societies by storm. He further explained that fear has become the prevalent sentiment, a situation exacerbated by social media and AI, taking away the last shreds of tranquility and the safety lines of faith, and becoming hotbeds for campaigns questioning the oneness of the Great Creator and the manifestations of His glory.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik commended the proposal of Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the International Body of Muslim Scholars, to create an international observatory for faith manifestations and combat against misconceptions, expressing the readiness of ICESCO and its Federation of Universities in the Islamic World to cooperate in the implementation of this initiative.

    At the close of his remarks, the DG stated that ICESCO firmly believes in the centrality of faith in education, science and culture, the major areas of its work, noting that the Organization works towards anchoring the foundations of faith in an ever-changing world.

    ICESCO and Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation Sign Agreement to Support Girls’ Education in Burkina Faso

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Heydar Aliyev Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a sponsorship agreement for to implement ICESCO’s ‘Educational and Social Support Project for Internally Displaced Girls and Boarders in Burkina Faso’, within the framework of the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan to promote the fields of education, science and culture in the Islamic world.

    The signing is part of the visit of Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, along with her delegation to ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, on Monday, October 14, 2024. The agreement was signed by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, in the presence of Mr. Nazim Samadov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Morocco, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director General, and several heads of sector and directors of department at ICESCO.

    In his statement following the signing, Dr. Al-Malik commended the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which is one of the institutions contributing significantly to socio-economic development in Azerbaijan and internationally, stressing the importance of the MoU signed between the two parties in May 2024, concurrently with the launch of the Celebration of Shusha, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, to enhance cooperation and exchange of expertise in areas of common interest.

    He also thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for sponsoring this major project, which will boost girls’ education in Burkina Faso and contribute to the development of the educational system, stressing that girls’ education is one of ICESCO’s top priorities, considering the essential role of girls in building a prosperous and more sustainable future.


    Under the agreement, ICESCO’s “Educational and Social Support Project for Internally Displaced Girls and Boarders in Burkina Faso” aims at empowering girls in the cities of Kaya, Ouahigouya, Gaoua, and Banfora, by providing equipped and adequate sanitation facilities to 20 schools, supporting the development of educational outcomes for 500 displaced and boarding school girls, building girls’ capacities, improving health, developing vocational and digital skills for 120 girls, and intensive awareness raising among local communities on the importance of girls’ education and empowerment.

    Following the signing, the Azerbaijani delegation made presentations on the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s educational, cultural and social initiatives and projects, as well as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), to be hosted in Azerbaijan, next November, and the ongoing preparations for this global event. The heads of ICESCO’s sectors also reviewed the major current programs and projects of the Organization.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Vice-President of Azerbaijani Haydar Aliyev Foundation

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    Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Republic of Azerbaijan, who visited ICESCO headquarters on Monday, October 14, 2024, accompanied by Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Amb. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, stressing that her visit reaffirms the special partnership relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the fields of education, science and culture. The Director-General also commended the sustained support for ICESCO’s initiatives, programs and projects extended by H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan’s First Lady, First Vice-President of the Republic, ICESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.


    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that these special cooperation relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan are reflected in the projects and activities being implemented to promote joint action in the Organization’s areas of competence, particularly those implemented as part of the celebration of Shusha as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024.

    The DG also highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, stating that these new instruments adopt openness, strategic foresight and support for the Member States to address future challenges, through capitalizing on modern technology and AI applications, promoting innovation, and building the capacities and developing the skills of women and youth to keep up with the demands of the professions of the future.

    For her part, Ms. Aliyeva commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts to support its Member States in its areas of competence, and conveyed Azerbaijan’s great appreciation for the Organization’s work, stressing the Foundation’s keenness to promote cooperation with ICESCO.

    Following the meeting, the two parties signed an agreement providing for the Foundation’s sponsorship of ICESCO’s project, “Educational and Social Support for Internally Displaced and Girls and Boarders in Burkina Faso”. The Director-General then took Ms. Aliyeva and her accompanying delegation on a tour to the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO.

    Inscription of 91 historical sites and cultural elements on ICESCO Heritage Lists in Islamic World

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    The Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) announced the inscription of 91 historical sites and cultural elements on the tentative and final lists of tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world. This announcement was part of the Final Report of the 12th IWHC Meeting, held in Shusha, Republic of Azerbaijan, on 8-9 October 2024. With this latest addition, the number of cultural properties inscribed has reached 724 sites and elements.

    Upon examining the nomination files submitted by ICESCO Member States, the IWHC adopted the inscription of 69 historical sites and cultural elements in the Final List from 23 countries, namely, Jordan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Nigeria, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Iran, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, Afghanistan, Guinea, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Niger, and Syria.

    The Committee also adopted the inscription of 22 files on the Tentative List submitted by four countries, namely Uzbekistan, Palestine, Mauritania and Egypt.

    Likewise, the 12th IWHC adopted the Report of the Activities of the Heritage Centre for 2024; the Heritage Center Vision and Strategies for the Next Biennium; and the Proposal Methods and Process of Inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List. The Committee also issued decisions to adopt the “Heritage Fund in the Islamic World”; “Green heritage”; “Museums and illicit trafficking in cultural property in the Islamic World”; and “The Cultural and Intellectual Register of the Islamic World”.

    At the close of the meeting, hosted by Shusha as part of its celebration at the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, the Committee issued a number of recommendations, notably, dedicating a number of programs to raise the awareness of students and youth of the importance of cultural heritage; holding intensive training workshops for workers in heritage sites and museums in the Member States; and submitting more files on heritage sites and cultural elements for inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List. The Committee also recommended publicizing heritage sites, and cultural elements inscribed on the Final List of Heritage in the Islamic World; ensuring their update using alternative means and modern technologies; and enriching the Portal of Heritage in the Islamic World.

    ICESCO participates in organizing a round-table on occasion of World Mental Health Day

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    In celebration of the World Mental Health Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, WHO, European Union Delegation in Morocco, Arab Voluntary Union in Bahrain held a round-table under the theme: “All for the Mental Health and Well-Being of Youth”, to raise awareness of the importance of concerting efforts at all levels to address mental health issues and support people suffering from mental disorders.

    In his speech at the opening of the round-table, today, Wednesday (9 October 2024) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Youth and Culture – Youth Sector – in Rabat, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, touched upon the relationship between mental health and culture, stating that cultural activities contribute to reducing mental illnesses and disorders. He gave an overview of ICESCO’s anti-bullying programme, which includes holding a series of educational workshops, lectures and various competitions.

    For her part, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector at ICESCO, praised the fruitful partnership between ICESCO, the Ministry and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, which culminated in holding this roundtable. She also reviewed ICESCO’s efforts in the field of health and psychological care.

    Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mustafa Al-Masoudi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Youth Sector, praised the distinguished partnership between the Ministry and ICESCO, translated in a number of programmes and projects.

    For his part, Mr. Ismail Taqi, Head of Trade Facilitation Department at the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, pointed out that mental health is one of the determinants of social balance to achieve development at various levels, and that the Centre pays great attention to youth.

    Mr. Fouad Chafiqi, Inspector General of Educational Affairs at the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in the Kingdom of Morocco, reviewed the Ministry’s strategy to combat school violence.

    Following the opening session, the participants officially launched the Psychological First Aid Guide, and the graphic story “Show Me Your Smile”, by the Egyptian writer Hegra Mahmoud Al-Sawy Ahmed, which deals with the phenomenon of bullying in schools. Then the winners of the story illustrations competition were announced, with artist Badr Rahawi came first, Osama Otrot second, and Youssef Rahali from the Kingdom of Morocco came third.

    The winners of the Innovation Lab-Youth Changemakers Initiative 2024, launched in partnership between ICESCO, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, were also announced as part of ICESCO’s International Forum “From Youth for Youth”.

    For the record, the first session of the roundtable discussed “Confronting Mental Health Challenges in Times of Crisis: Drawing Lessons from Best Practices and Case Studies”, while the second session debated: “ICESCO’s Anti-Bullying Programme: Enhancing Shared Knowledge to Build a Strong Psychological Future for Children and Youth”.

    Twelfth Meeting of Islamic World Heritage Committee kicks off in Shusha

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    The 12th meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC), being hosted in Shusha, Republic of Azerbaijan, as part of the celebration of Shusha as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, kicked off on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The meeting will examine Member States’ nomination files of historical sites and cultural elements for inscription on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, review the vision and activities of ICESCO’s Heritage Center, present its 2024 publications, and discuss major challenges facing the Center.

    The meeting began with the address of Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), delivered on his behalf by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, in which he reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to support efforts aimed at preserving the Islamic world’s heritage through a series of books published to identify endangered archaeological sites and cultural elements, and inscribe more historical sites and cultural elements on the Islamic world heritage lists, which so far include a total of 637 sites and cultural elements.

    He explained that ICESCO, in cooperation with specialists and experts from various countries, is striving to achieve a qualitative leap in heritage preservation, and seeks through its action plans and its Islamic World Heritage Center to strengthen the capacities of heritage stakeholders by providing them with the necessary knowledge tools to carry out their activities in conformity with international standards.

    In his address, Eng. Mohammed Al-Aidarous, Chairman of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, thanked the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting the meeting, indicating that the meeting will discuss a number of major issues affecting the Islamic world’s heritage, which will support the restoration and preservation of heritage.

    In her address, Ms. Saadet Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, pointed out that heritage faces a number of challenges that may threaten its existence, particularly conflicts and wars, and that the preservation of this heritage is a right for future generations.

    Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, presented the Center’s next two-year strategy, its vision and priorities, and its key programs and activities. The Center’s experts presented a number of documents and reports on the finalization of the Islamic World Heritage Portal and highlighted the Center’s partnerships, in addition to a presentation on the major publications of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center for 2024.

    “Post-globalization thinking:” A conference at the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech

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    Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), delivered a lecture titled “Post-globalization thinking” this Monday, October 7, 2024, at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities of the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, on the occasion of the opening of the new academic year.

    In his lecture, Dr. Fathalrahman presented evidence of the decline of the “era of globalization” in favor of an emerging new structure, that is being experienced by the world, offering a systematic critique of the concept of globalization and its attempts at unilateral ideological stereotyping based on Western theory with its capitalist economic and democratic political pillars as threatened themselves by the Western behavior itself.

    He also highlighted the issue of “thinking” as a complex system that belongs to the realm of ideas, with all its requirements of intentionality and seriousness, in order to produce systematic visions based on the scientific framework. He also called on students and teachers to exercise the utmost diligence in creating new concepts in an age that allows for this kind of intellectual creativity, just as ICESCO has adopted the concept of “civilizational diplomacy”.

    The conference was attended by Dr. Abdeljalil Lokrifa, Dean of the Faculty, his deputy and a number of teachers and students of the humanities.