Egypt, Mali to host the 2020 Islamic Conference of Culture Capitals programme

The programme will be launched by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) at the beginning of 2020 in Cairo and Bamako the capital cities of Egypt and Mali respectively.

The two countries shall, in coordination with ISESCO, prepare a national programme of cultural, educational, scientific and media activities that will be implemented throughout the year.

ISESCO will hold a week-long cultural and educational conference in both countries to implement some of its educational, scientific and cultural activities included in its Action Plan, which has a national, regional and international dimension.

ISESCO seeks to spread the Islamic culture, renew its contents and revive its message by nominating three cities from the Arab, Asian and African regions to become capitals of Islamic culture. The ICCC programme also celebrates these cities by highlighting what they have done in the service of culture, literature, arts, science and Islamic knowledge.

With 54 member states, ISESCO is one of the largest international Islamic organisations that specialise in the fields of education, science and culture since its launch in Morocco, in 1979.

Previous African countries that have been nominated include Gabon (2018), Uganda (2017), Sierra Leone (2016), Benin (2015), Burkina Faso (2014), Nigeria (2013), Niger (2012), Guinea (2011), Union of Comoros (2010), Chad (2009), Djibouti (2008), Senegal (2007) and Mali (2006).

Some of the activities to be included in the 2020 programme are:

• Holding conferences and symposia, and delivering lectures on the cultural history of the city, its eminent figures, and its scientific and civilizational contribution to the Islamic heritage, in addition to its archaeological landmarks and cultural centers.
• Organising cultural and artistic events and festivals featuring poetry and theatre.
• Organising contests for young artists in all fields of research in honour of the city's most eminent figures who served culture, either in the past or in the present.
• Organising information and open days in several educational and cultural institutions of civilisational radiance.

For more information about the Islamic Conference of Culture Capitals, email isesco@isesco.org.ma.