Asif Mahmud urges ICESCO to set up Islamic Culture and Language Centre in Bangladesh
NN Online:
During an official visit to Morocco, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan met with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the organization’s headquarters in Rabat on Tuesday.
ICESCO, an intergovernmental body representing 53 Muslim-majority nations, plays a key role in fostering cooperation in education, science, and culture across the Islamic world.
In the meeting, Adviser Asif Mahmud commended ICESCO’s wide-ranging initiatives under Dr. AlMalik’s leadership—particularly in education, innovation, environment, health, and cultural preservation. He emphasized Bangladesh’s strong commitment to youth development, noting it as a top national priority.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen youth capacity and skills, the adviser sought ICESCO’s partnership in several national projects. He also formally proposed the establishment of an “Islamic Culture and Language Centre” in Bangladesh, under ICESCO’s support, to promote deeper research and public awareness on Islamic heritage and languages.
Additionally, he called for the expansion of ICESCO’s Smart Classroom initiative—currently implemented in other member countries—to Bangladesh’s educational institutions.
In response, Dr. AlMalik praised the dynamism and potential of Bangladesh’s youth. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s consistent financial support as a founding ICESCO member, noting it has played a crucial role in sustaining the organization’s programmes.
He reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to work closely with Bangladesh, especially in education and health, and expressed interest in involving Bangladeshi youth in ICESCO’s global educational and research ventures.
Dr. AlMalik also highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in climate change adaptation, calling them a model for the Muslim world. He invited Bangladeshi climate experts to join ICESCO’s international climate initiatives and expressed interest in appointing a qualified Bangladeshi expert to a high-level role within the organization.
Further, he proposed collaboration to expand the Grameen Bank microcredit model—pioneered by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus—to ICESCO member states in Africa.
Both parties expressed strong interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
Following the meeting, Adviser Asif Mahmud toured the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO headquarters. He suggested that Bangladesh’s Islamic cultural heritage could be featured in future exhibitions and expressed hope that a similar museum could eventually be established in Bangladesh.
