JEDDAH — The 44th session of the Islamic World Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ICESCO) Executive Council commenced in Jeddah, on Tuesday. Hosted by the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (SNCECS), the meeting saw the attendance of Jeddah's Governor Prince Saud Bin Jalawi, various ambassadors and ministers, and representatives from 54 member states. The event commenced with an opening speech by SNCECS Secretary-General Ahmed Al-Bulaihad, who emphasized Jeddah's significance due to its historical, Islamic, and archaeological landmarks, and its crucial role as a major Islamic and commercial hub on the Red Sea coast, particularly for pilgrim traffic. Following him, ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salem Al-Malik highlighted Jeddah's status as the gateway for pilgrims heading to the Two Holy Mosques. The highlight of the session was a pictorial presentation titled "Caravans," which illustrated the ancient civilizational, commercial, and Hajj routes converging in the Arabian Peninsula. This presentation, spread across five panels, depicted the various pilgrimage routes from the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iraq, Asia, and Africa, culminating in a depiction titled "The Whole World, The World Together." Additionally, the delegations toured the historic city of Jeddah, a site recognized on both the UNESCO World Heritage List and the ICESCO List of Heritage in the Islamic World. This tour offered insights into the city's rich cultural heritage and history.
