In a global context that bears witness to the growth of “hate speech” in various regions, and in a local context in which religious minorities in Morocco complain about “the loss of their freedom to choose a conscience that escapes the grip of the Islamic religion,” Morocco appears to be a country that enjoys “credibility” in managing cultural diversity and strengthening The pattern of coexistence, which is recommended by Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
Al-Malik, who is participating in the Sixth Global Forum on the Dialogue of Cultures, held in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, considered it “necessary to say” that Morocco “is replete with a rich cultural and civilizational diversity, thanks to its ancient history, geographical diversity, and strategic location, which has made it a meeting place for different civilizations and cultures.” One of the country’s distinctive features is its great success in managing the coexistence and tolerance that prevails among followers of heavenly religions on its soil.”
The Director-General of ISESCO did not deny, during a chat with Hespress on the sidelines of the forum, that Morocco “plays an important role in strengthening cultural ties between the countries of the Islamic world,” stressing that the capital, Rabat, as the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is the best evidence of this, as the organization enjoys With great support from the country under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, following in the footsteps of his father, King Hassan II, who described the organization as “the conscience of the Islamic world.”
In the same context, the speaker recorded that the North African country has become “a pioneering model in devoting intercultural dialogue at the international level,” recalling the “historic official reception” that King Mohammed VI granted to Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican, in 2019, as they emphasized in their speeches on the occasion. “The need to combat intolerance through solidarity, education for tolerance and coexistence among followers of monotheistic religions, and confronting extremism and all forms of violent speech.”
Al-Malik continued, saying: “For centuries, the Kingdom of Morocco has been establishing alliances and forums that are of great importance in reuniting religions and civilizations,” pointing to what he considered “remarkable efforts” to lead the country, including “the establishment of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams and Morchidians, which falls within the context of The Kingdom’s strategy to combat extremism through education, as it receives young people from many African and European countries, and graduates from it imams of mosques, female guides, and religious guides.”
The spokesman from the former “communist country” explained to Hespress that Rabat seeks, on the other hand, to “continuously extend bridges of cultural cooperation with countries of the world, by creating and signing a number of agreements and hosting cultural activities and conferences aimed at increasing cultural radiation and for culture to occupy the prestigious position assigned to it.” “It plays a major role in contributing to achieving sustainable development and promoting cultural tourism to discover the rich cultural and historical heritage of Morocco.”
Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik spoke about Morocco’s embrace of several initiatives and activities dedicated to dialogue between cultures at the global level, including the Ninth United Nations Forum for the Alliance of Civilizations, which he attended in Fez on November 22 and 23, 2022.
ISESCO also organized in Marrakesh the international scientific symposium: “Civilizational Diplomacy… Intersecting Readings,” in partnership with Cadi University, which culminated in the issuance of the Marrakesh Declaration towards shaping the concept of civilizational diplomacy, which offers many effective solutions to the dilemmas of the international civilizational system.
