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    Category: News

    ICESCO and Mauritania Discuss Enhancing Cooperation in Culture

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr El Houssein Ould Meddou, Mauritania’s Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, Spokesperson of the Government, on Wednesday 15 January 2025 at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting explored strengthening the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Mauritania in the cultural sector.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, and explored various aspects of the fruitful partnership between ICESCO and Mauritania, which has been further strengthened by the recent visit of Dr. AlMalik to Chinguetti. During this visit, ICESCO committed to rehabilitating the historic Chinguetti Mosque, with both parties agreeing to immediately commence the restoration project by appointing specialized focal points to oversee its implementation.

    Additionally, the meeting addressed several requests submitted by the Mauritanian National Commission and discussed the potential recruitment of Mauritanian talent to work within ICESCO’s departments.

    The meeting was also attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, and Ambassador Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

    ICESCO Webinar on Enhancing Green and Digital Skills in MENA Region

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the World Bank, organized a webinar titled “Exploring the Demand for Green and Digital Skills in the MENA Region: A New Pathway for Youth Employment.” The event focused on emerging transformations in green skills aimed at achieving environmental sustainability, transitioning to a green economy, reducing pollution, preserving natural resources, and addressing urgent climate challenges.

    Held on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, via virtual conferencing, the webinar brought together prominent experts and officials to exchange insights on the opportunities available for youth in the MENA region and ways to enhance their capabilities by leveraging modern digital technologies.

    ICESCO was represented at the webinar by Dr Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector, and Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector.

    Dr. Qamar highlighted the organization’s numerous initiatives in the field, including:

    • Developing smart agricultural practices through modern technology and data analysis to enhance food security and sustainability.
    • Building the capacities of youth and women by providing digital skills training through software technology workshops.

    Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey emphasized the organization’s prioritization of education and artificial intelligence, underlining the need for Member States to integrate technology and digital skills into education systems. This integration aims to maximize the quality of learning outcomes and empower youth by providing them with essential digital skills. She also presented examples of open and remote learning fields as practical approaches to achieve these goals.

    ICESCO Director-General: Culture is a lever of civilizational progress and ICESCO’s efforts confirm its ability to take initiative and anticipate

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that culture is the fundamental lever of every country’s civilizational progress and renaissance in various creative fields, and the most important gauge of its contribution to the progress of human civilization as a whole. He added that ICESCO is fully aware of its responsibilities towards its Member States in this regard, pointing out that this responsibility is reflected and in the pioneering programs, projects and initiatives implemented by the Organization in the culture, a field that ranks high at the top of its priorities.

    This was part of his speech today, Wednesday (January 15, 2025) at the opening session of the 24th Conference of Ministers of Cultural in the Arab World, held under the theme “Cultural and Creative Industries and the Challenges of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence”, by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in Rabat, capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Conference witnessed high-level participation by a number of ministers and senior officials concerned with cultural affairs in the Arab region, and representatives of relevant regional and international organizations.

    ICESCO Director-General also stated that the Organization’s activities in the cultural field confirm its ability to take the initiative, follow up and anticipate. Over the past period, it has suggested many valuable initiatives, including a proposal to adopt culture as the 18th SDG, the launch of the project of “the Cultural Index in the Islamic World” in partnership with the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the inauguration of heritage centers in the Islamic world, and the inscription of more than 740 elements on the Islamic world tangible and intangible heritage lists.

    In the same vein, Dr. Al-Malik unveiled a number of cultural initiatives due to be launched by the Organization in the near future, including the “ICESCO’s Index for Cultural and Creative Technologies”, and the “New Economies of Culture Index”. He also reviewed some of ICESCO’s implemented initiatives on civilizational dialogue between nations, respect of the specificities of the other and cultural diversity, most notably the “Read it… to Understand it” initiative to understand the Holy Quran, which was recently taken up by one of the largest European universities to establish a specialized academic chair in Quranic studies in cooperation with ICESCO, as well as the formulation of the “civilizational diplomacy” concept, intended to promote international dialogue between different peoples, civilizations, and cultures.

    Osama Heikal Appointed Head of the Sector of Media and Communication at ICESCO

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced the appointment of Mr. Osama Heikal as the Head of the Sector of Media and Communication. This appointment aligns with the Organization’s vision to strengthen its media presence and develop a communication strategy that reflects its significant achievements over the past five years.

    Mr. Osama Heikal brings extensive experience in media and culture, having held prominent positions, including Minister of State for Information, Chairman and Managing Director of the Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC), and Chairman of the Committee for Media, Culture, and Antiquities in the Egyptian House of Representatives. He also served as the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Al Wafd and regularly contributed as a columnist in various Egyptian newspapers.

    In addition to his professional career, Mr. Heikal represented Egypt at numerous international conferences and has had a significant impact on the Arab media landscape through his books and publications, notably 150 Days in the History of Egypt and Fourth Generation Wars: Media and the Fragmentation of Societies.

    Mr. Heikal has received several honors both nationally and internationally, including the 2020 Best CEO Award from the Egyptian Union of Administrative Associations, as well as recognition from the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, along with numerous accolades from prestigious academic and media institutions.

    It is anticipated that Mr. Osama Heikal will significantly contribute to advancing ICESCO’s media and communication efforts in an ever-evolving field. Mr. Heikal will oversee the development of a focused strategy designed to achieve measurable outcomes that align with ICESCO’s new vision and goals and serve the interests of its Member States across the Islamic world.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Djiboutian Minister of Culture

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Hibo Moumin Assoweh, Minister of Youth and Culture of the Republic of Djibouti, and her accompanying delegation on Monday 13 January 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. Extensive discussions were held on several topics related to the cultural field.

    The talks focused on strengthening efforts in training, organizing joint seminars, and attracting Djiboutian talent to work within the Organization, in recognition of the steady progress Djibouti is achieving through its citizens. The Meeting also addressed the importance of supporting and paying attention to traditional industries as a leading sector in the country’s industrial development.

    Both parties agreed on the necessity of intensifying meetings to further strengthen relations and ensure fruitful collaboration.

    The Meeting was attended by Mr. Mohamed Dohour Hersi, Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, and Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO.

    Discussion on Launching ICESCO Chair for Quranic Studies at Osnabrück University, Germany

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), welcomed Dr. Habib El Mallouki, Dean of the Faculty of Educational and Cultural Studies at Osnabrück University in Germany, to ICESCO’s headquarters today, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

    The Meeting explored avenues of collaboration between ICESCO and Osnabrück University in scientific and cultural fields. Discussions also focused on preparations for establishing the ICESCO Chair for Quranic Studies, which will be hosted by the University. The Initiative aims to fast-track the necessary steps to ensure the chair is launched in 2025, reflecting Osnabrück University’s growing commitment to fostering promising projects that promote global intercultural dialogue.

    The Meeting was attended by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. Abdelmalek Hibawi, Secretary-General of the German Institute for Dialogue and Understanding (Mouatana).

    ICESCO participates in 14th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education in Doha

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 14th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education held by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

    The Conference, which was organized in the capital, Doha, from 5 to 7 January 2025, under the theme: “Inclusive Education and Empowering Teachers: A Strategic Vision for Education in the Arab World”, witnessed wide participation from ministers of education in Arab countries and from international and regional organizations concerned, in addition to a group of experts and specialists in the field of education.

    ICESCO was represented by Ms. Faizah Alaoui, expert at Education Sector. In her speech, she highlighted the rich educational heritage of the Arab world and reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to promoting education in its Member States through effective strategies and lasting partnerships aimed at empowering youth and ensuring quality education for all, stressing ICESCO’s commitment to renewing education as a transformative tool.


    Ms. Alaoui stressed the urgent need for future generations to have critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility in a rapidly changing world, and called for capitalizing on emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to empower teachers develop human potential, the primary goal of education.

    The Conference discussed several strategic themes, namely: ways to provide comprehensive and sustainable education for all, ensuring equal access to high-quality educational, with special focus on the need to integrate persons with special needs into the education system, digital transformation and the use of technology to enhance and develop education and support research and innovation in education. It also tackled ways to empower teachers, develop their capacities, and provide them with the necessary tools to achieve optimal levels of efficiency in the educational process.

    Release of the second issue of ICESCO Journal of the Arabic Language

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released the second issue of its Journal of the Arabic Language”, a peer-reviewed scientific journal supervised by the ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers. The Journal is part of the attention the Organization pays to the Arabic language to promote its global position in educational, scientific and cultural exchange.
    The new issue includes ten research papers by experts and specialists from several Arab and Islamic countries, namely Libya, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Malaysia. Its varied themes reflect the complementarity of exact knowledge belonging to diverse scientific disciplines that aim to highlight the identity of the researchers and their research creativity in the Arabic language, literature and sciences.
    This issue of the Journal can be viewed and downloaded via the following link: https://icesco.org/ydfu .
    It is worth noting that the Journal is issued in June and December of each year, and always invites researchers concerned with the Arabic language, to send their serious studies for peer-reviewing and publishing in its upcoming issues, by registering on the Journal’s website at the following link: https://icesco.org/uyop

    ICESCO Calls for Papers: Contributions to Collective Work on Peace and Socio-Cultural Heritage

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) invites researchers, specialists, and postgraduate students to submit academic papers for publication in a collective work entitled “Peace and Socio-Cultural Heritage: Overview of the Endogenous Resources of a Culture Of Peace.” This volume, set to be published in December 2025, is an initiative of ICESCO’s Network of Experts in Human and Social Sciences, aiming to support the Organization’s efforts in promoting peace, coexistence, and intercultural dialogue.
    Submissions should address one of the following themes:

    • Culture of peace: A Concept Endogenous to Traditional non-Western Societies?
    • Culture of Peace and Oral Literature, Customary Practices/Uses/ Restrictions;
    • Culture of Peace and Endogenous Mechanisms for Conflict Transformation;
    • Culture of Peace, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and Institutions Managing Endogenous Cultural Resources.
      All submissions will undergo a rigorous review by a panel of experts from within and beyond ICESCO to ensure scientific quality and integrity. Submissions should be sent in one of ICESCO’s working languages, Arabic, English, or French, to the following email: shs@icesco.org. Submitted papers must adhere to the following requirements:
    • The abstract should not exceed 300 words;
    • Deadline for abstract submission: 28 February 2025;
    • Announcement of approved abstracts: 30 April 2025.
    • Deadline for full paper submission: 31 July 2025.
      For further details on participation requirements, kindly visit:
      https://icesco.org/8wam

    ICESCO and Moroccan Ministry of Culture Issue “Show Me Your Smile” to Address School Bullying

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, published the graphic-story, “Show Me Your Smile”. The graphic story is part of the activities of ICESCO’s, “StopBully Program”, which aims at raising awareness of school bullying, casting light on its negative impact on students, and discussing ways to address it.

    Published in Arabic, English and French, the story is part of the educational tools comprised in the StopBully Program and serves as a guidebook in a literary and creative form, designed to help children, teachers, education officials and families find practical and realistic solutions to countering school bullying and redressing bullies’ behavior. The story is available for download via the link: https://icesco.org/tz9d

    The publishing of this story was the culmination of two contests organized to support and highlight the artistic abilities and creations of young men and women, namely Contest for Best Graphic-Story to Fight School Bullying, won by writer, Hegra Mahmoud Al-Sawi Ahmad from the Arabi Republic, and the Contest for Story illustration, won by Badr Rahawi from the Kingdom of Morocco.

    Through this initiative, ICESCO aims to help educational stakeholders ensure a prompt, coordinated and effective response to stop bullies, while strengthening child protection and resilience mechanisms to guarantee their well-being and good mental health.