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The 11th Meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC), in its new composition, kicked off today, Monday, December 18, 2023, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Meeting saw the election of the Committee’s new Bureau for a four-year term, headed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as Vice-Chair and the Republic of Senegal as Rapporteur.

Prior to the Meeting, Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, welcomed the Committee members, expressing his good wishes for the success of this key event. He also commended the IWHC’s work, in its previous composition under the presidency of the State of Kuwait, and the tremendous efforts exerted to inscribe the Islamic world heritage, noting that the Committee represents a key pillar in ICESCO’s strategy to preserve and safeguard heritage, along with building the capacities of young people and professionals in this area.

The Director-General also talked about the Islamic World Heritage Center and its ability to overcome the large number of obstacles it had faced, by attracting remarkable capacities and expertise, to fulfill its goal to inscribe 1,000 heritage sites and cultural elements by 2025.

At the outset, the Committee adopted its Draft Agenda. Dr. Mohammed Zine Alabidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, gave an address where he stressed that the Meeting seeks to inscribe, promote and preserve the heritage of the Islamic world. The Meeting also reviewed several ICESCO’s heritage documents, discussed the Activity Report of the Islamic World Heritage Center and examined the submitted nomination files for the inscription of historic sites and cultural elements in the Islamic World Heritage List.

Moreover, the Meeting elected the new members of the IWHC Bureau, as adopted in the 12th Session of the Conference of Culture Ministers in the Islamic World, held in Doha, State of Qatar, last September, namely, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Benin, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Gabon, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Palestine and Malaysia. The Bureau members selected Mr. Mohammed Al-Aidarous, KSA representative as Chair, Mr. Fadi Abedallah Youssef Balaawi, representative of Jordan as Vice-Chair, and Ms. Ndaye Khady Diouf, representative of Senegal as Rapporteur.

The Meeting’s working sessions examined the nomination files submitted by the Member States to inscribe their historic sites and cultural elements on the Islamic World Heritage Lists.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) mourns the death of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away on Saturday (December 16, 2023).

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, for himself and on behalf of all the Organization’s staff, expresses sincere condolences to the ruling family and the people of Kuwait, beseeching Allah Almighty to bestow his mercy on the late Emir and grant him the highest paradise.

At this sorrowful moment, ICESCO Director-General commended the great role the deceased fulfilled in serving cultural issues and developing the fields of science as well as his keenness to strengthen humanitarian action and promote sustainable development, pointing out to the great development of cooperation between ICESCO and the competent Kuwaiti authorities during his reign.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Space University in France have signed an Agreement to establish the ICESCO Chair for “Space Engineering and Space Sciences” at the University. This Agreement seeks to enhance scientific research and training in the field of space systems engineering and space sciences, establish standards for documenting studies, exchange information in the field, and facilitate collaboration among professors and researchers in universities and institutions specialized in space sciences.

The Agreement was signed by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Nicolas Peter, President of the International Space University, on Friday 15 December 2023, through teleconferencing. Dr. Taiwo Tejumola, Chair’s Director, and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor in the Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, also participated in the signing.

In his remark, Dr. Al-Malik underscored that this Chair addresses the imperative to cultivate the capabilities of researchers and enhance collaboration among those working in space engineering and sciences.

Moreover, he affirmed ICESCO’s commitment to support space exploration efforts and the development of modern sciences and technology to improve life on Earth, preserve the planet facing numerous challenges, and promote knowledge and innovation. On the other hand, Dr. Peter reiterated that the International Space University, through its partnership with ICESCO, attempts to nurture the skills of youth and elevate their aspirations, recognizing that talents transcend geographical boundaries.

According to the terms of the Agreement, the ICESCO Chair at the International Space University in France aims to contribute to the completion of several scientific research projects in the field of space sciences. It also seeks to raise awareness of professional development opportunities in the field of space engineering, foster collaboration between the University and the Organization in advancing higher education curricula in engineering and space sciences for ICESCO Member States, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Following the signing of the Agreement, the ICESCO Director-General addressed the young graduates during the graduation ceremony at the International Space University via teleconferencing. He extended warm congratulations and offered words of encouragement, urging them to persist in their endeavors to contribute to the development of space sciences in order to tackle future challenges with a combination of scientific passion, an inquisitive spirit of exploration, and love for knowledge.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Mustafa İlker Kılıç, ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Kingdom of Morocco, to explore prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Türkiye in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, at ICESCO headquarters in the presence of a host of heads of sectors at the Organization, Dr. AlMalik congratulated H.E. İlker Kılıç on assuming the position of Türkiye’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, wishing him success in his mission.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, its programs and projects geared towards capacity-building of youth and women, instilling the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue, as well as encouraging investments in the fields of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and space sciences. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik noted that ICESCO held several projects with Turkish institutions in space sciences and teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

For his part, the Turkish Ambassador expressed his keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and various Turkish institutions in the fields of education, science and culture, and the Embassy’s readiness to coordinate and facilitate communication between the Organization and the competent bodies.

Following the meeting, H.E. İlker Kılıç took a tour to the different pavilions and sections of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters in partnership with the Islamic World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Mr. Li Changlin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Morocco, to explore prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and several Chinese institutions in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, 4 December 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters, Dr. AlMalik noted the success of the Silk Road International Conference, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Institute of Silk Road Strategy Studies (ISRSS) of the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). The Conference witnessed high-level participation of officials, professors and experts in the field.

Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, founded on openness and cooperation with all, to benefit its Member States and Muslim communities worldwide and promote communication between countries and the Islamic world, allowing non-member States to join as observers.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s efforts to shape and develop the skills of youth across all fields through its initiatives and programs, encourage them to delve into space sciences, modern technology, and entrepreneurship and promote dialogue and tolerance to build the societies we want and contribute to sustainable development.

For his part, the Chinese Ambassador lauded ICESCO for its efforts in its areas of expertise, noting the importance of this meeting to discuss future cooperation programs between ICESCO and various Chinese bodies in the fields of education, science and culture, thus bringing China and the Islamic world together.

The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, hosted the International Silk Road Conference, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Institute of Silk Road Strategic Studies for Shanghai International Studies University, in China. The event witnessed a high-level participation of officials and ambassadors, as well as international experts and professors from several prestigious universities to present an ambitious and realistic vision of the new Silk Road.

The conference kicked off on Monday (December 4, 2023), with a general introduction by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue. Afterward, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, gave an address, wherein he stressed that the historic Silk Road demonstrates that China and the Chinese people have a longstanding heritage of will and intelligence in human interaction, as it stands as a witness to the rise and fall of many global powers, and constituted a pivotal link between different cultures and civilizations.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored the historical role of the Silk Road in facilitating stable commercial transactions that led to the development of political, economic and cultural relations between the Silk Road countries, stressing that the Hajj Road is an extension of the Silk Road in propagating culture and spreading the morals of peaceful exchanges, which ICESCO is seeking to revive through its joint project with the Saudi Ministry of Culture.

ICESCO Director-General added that China is taking the initiative once again through Chinese President Xi Jinping’s announcement of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that the conference comes within the framework of forward-looking and open civilizational dialogue, and affirms that the Islamic world and China share large areas of interest more than they differences they have.

In his address, Mr. Li Changlin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed that the historic Silk Road was not limited to trade exchange, it also included cultural and civilizational interactions, noting that the conference is an opportunity to open dialogue and discussion on topics that would strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance communication and cooperation between participating countries.

In her intervention, Dr. Ma Lirong, Dean of the Institute of Silk Road Strategic Studies, reviewed the Institute’s efforts on the Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, and the research and academic cooperation between the Institute and many organizations and institutions in the Islamic world.

The first working session, titled ‘New Silk Road and Chinese-African Relations,’ brought together international experts from Turkey, China and Morocco, followed by a session on the Silk Road’s cultural ties, which saw rich discussions between university professors and experts from Uzbekistan, Qatar and Morocco, in addition to a session on the travelogues of Ibn Battuta and the cultural exchange between the Islamic world and China.