Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with Mr. Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Saudi Deputy Minister of Culture. The meeting also brought together Mr. Hattan bin Mounir bin Samman, Secretary-General of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science; Mr. Rakan Ibrahim Al-Touq, General Supervisor of Strategy and International Relations at the Ministry; and some officials at the Ministry.

During the meeting, held yesterday February 18, 2021, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main initiatives, programmes, and activities of ICESCO in the coming two years as well as the celebration of 2021 as the Year of Women. He also commended the achievements of the Saudi Ministry of Culture which strives to publicize identity through leading cultural initiatives inside and outside of Saudi Arabia and supporting and disseminating Islamic arts worldwide.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to cooperate with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and all the competent parties concerned with ICESCO’s areas of action.

The Deputy Minister of Culture lauded the leading role of ICESCO in all the cultural fields, particularly Islamic arts such as Arabic calligraphy and many others.

ICESCO DG proposed to the Saudi Ministry of Culture to sponsor some of ICESCO cultural chairs and awards and co-organize the Islamic Arts Biennale which the Ministry plans to hold this year.

The two parties also agreed that ICESCO will submit multiple programmes for the Ministry of Culture to adopt. Officials at the Ministry showed particular interest in ICESCO’s celebration of 2021 as the Year of Women while stressing the importance of Saudi women’s participation in these activities and highlighting that several female staff members serve at the Ministry. Many women also served as CEOs on some of the Ministry’s bodies.