The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted a major international celebration, on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, to distribute the certificates of inscription of heritage sites and elements on the Islamic World Heritage List to several ICESCO Member States’ ambassadors and representatives. The first-of-its-kind ceremony also witnessed the Presentation of the Heritage Sign Board of the Islamic World and a tribute to the members of the Islamic World Heritage Committee.

The ceremony, which saw high-caliber participation, opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Mohamed Zinealabidine, Head of ICESCO Sector of Culture and Communication, who welcomed the attendees and expressed his delight at the organization of this event which commemorates the joint efforts of ICESCO and its Heritage Center and Islamic World Heritage Committee to inscribe the heritage sites and cultural elements of the Islamic world.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), stated that this historic moment highlights the essence of ICESCO’s new vision and its special journey in according due attention to the heritage of the Islamic world and promoting its civilizational landmarks which stand witness to the diversity and richness of Member States’ cultural heritage.

The DG added that the Organization accords special attention to heritage as a component of nations’ culture and memory. “ICESCO worked toward reviving the Islamic World Heritage Committee, setting out clear standards and criteria for the inscription of heritage sites and cultural elements and selecting experts with extensive expertise in the field of human heritage”, the Director-General stated.

Dr. AlMalik also called on the Member States to support the Islamic World Heritage Fund to support the Organization’s efforts to safeguard and preserve heritage in the Islamic world.

In his address, Mr. Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, congratulated the Member States for having inscribed their heritage on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, highlighting the Organization’s efforts to safeguard heritage, commending the key role of civil society institutions and bodies in supporting these efforts.

Dr. Walid Al-Seif, Chairman of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, lauded the organization of this ceremony, which is considered a first in the history of the Organization since its inception. The Chairman also thanked the ICESCO Director-General for his support of the Committee’s work, calling on the Member States to inscribe more of their heritage sites and cultural elements to reach 1000 sites and elements by 2025.