Rabat: The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) conducted a seminar titled “Narratives and the Question of Identity” at its headquarters in Rabat to mark World Novel Week. The event convened a group of writers, poets, thinkers, and academics to delve into discussions surrounding Arab narratives and their relationship with contemporary cultural transformations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the seminar explored themes of identity, the interplay between place and memory, and how these narratives interact with current cultural shifts. In his opening speech, Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, Director General of ICESCO, highlighted the Islamic world’s ongoing efforts to craft a new cultural narrative. He stressed the importance of balancing authenticity and openness while promoting a civilizational narrative rooted in diversity and mutual respect.
Dr. Al Malik remarked that identity should serve as a window to the world rather than a barrier, fostering confidence and pride. He cited international data underscoring the precarious state of global linguistic diversity, noting that over 50% of the world’s languages face the threat of extinction. He also pointed out an imbalance in cultural narratives, as 80% of global cultural production is translated from Western languages, while a mere 10% involves Arabic, Asian, and African languages.
The seminar culminated with the recognition of winners from the inaugural “Cities of Poems” competition, organized by ICESCO’s Center for Poetry and Literature. Nine poets from different countries were honored for their compositions celebrating the 2024 Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World: Benghazi, Libya; Marrakesh, Morocco; and Shusha, Azerbaijan.