His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially inaugurated the regional headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in University City, Sharjah, on Thursday morning. His Highness was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
During the ceremony, His Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the formal opening of the building, which has been constructed in accordance with His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah's directives. The newly established headquarters will provide ICESCO with essential facilities to fulfill its mission, which includes the organization of educational, scientific, and cultural activities, as well as the provision of high-quality technical, scientific, and practical services and institutional support to its member states. Sharjah was selected as the location for this headquarters due to its distinguished cultural reputation, the presence of prominent institutions such as museums and research centers, and its strategic geographic position, which facilitates access to the Gulf countries, the Middle East, and North Africa.
On the occasion of the opening, His Highness said: “This morning we were delighted to meet our partners in science and knowledge, and hands were extended and minds resolved to do sincere and honest work, which extends first to humanity and then to the minds that God has blessed with true faith and work for the advancement of Islam. Let us always be together and be sincere in our giving.”
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah was briefed on the specifications of the ICESCO building, a single-story structure housing a comprehensive range of administrative, technical, and service departments. The building itself spans over 3,000 square meters within a total land area exceeding 42,000 square meters. His Highness was shown the building, which can accommodate 95 employees and is equipped to receive 245 visitors in its various facilities, including the theater, training hall, and council chamber, bringing the total capacity for employees and visitors to 340.
His Highness also reviewed the building's layout, which reveals its various departments, such as Communications, Services, Culture, and the Shared Sector, each comprising 16 offices.
Salem Omar Salem, the Regional Director of the ICESCO organization in Sharjah, delivered a welcoming address to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the other attendees. In his speech, Salem expressed profound gratitude and appreciation for His Highness’s honor and patronage of this cultural institution, elucidating that it exemplifies His Highness’s vision of recognizing that the quintessential investment is in people.
Dr Salim bin Mohammed Al Malik, the Director-General of ICESCO, delivered an address commending the Emirate of Sharjah and its Ruler for their commitment to supporting cultural and scientific institutions.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees were presented with two videos during the event. The first video detailed the various construction phases of the project, its components, and the facilities available to visitors. The second video introduced ICESCO, highlighting its pivotal role as a leading international organization dedicated to enhancing cooperation and cultivating partnerships among Islamic nations.
During the ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah honored the partners and supporters by presenting them with commemorative shields and participating in group photographs. Additionally, His Highness received a distinguished gift from ICESCO: a certificate entitled "Guardian of Knowledge," along with an artistic piece crafted by skilled artisans. This piece, originating from the Moroccan city of Fez, is composed of traditional copper and symbolizes Arab identity, featuring a verse from Ahmed Shawqi, known as the Prince of Poets: "Nations endure as long as their morals remain; if their morals are lost, they too will perish."
On the sidelines of the opening, His Highness was briefed on the Emirates Researchers Platform, which employs artificial intelligence to predict significant topics for future attention. This platform informs various studies within the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), monitors trending scientific research topics at the national level, and ranks Islamic countries based on the volume of research papers produced.
Moreover, His Highness received the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Islamic Studies, a peer-reviewed academic publication issued by the Emirates Scholar Centre for Research and Studies, specializing in Islamic cultural studies and published in both Arabic and English.