ICESCO Publishes Book on Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti and His Role in Civilizational Diplomacy
Mohamed Mandour
The Centre for Civilizational Dialogue of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has released a new book titled Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa.
This publication is part of the programs celebrating Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2024.
The book presents the proceedings of a scientific symposium organized by Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech under ICESCO's auspices. It explores the life and legacy of Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti (1556–1627), one of the most prominent scholars, jurists (faqih), and historians in the region's history.
The book highlights his role in fostering civilizational exchange between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing his contributions to knowledge diplomacy, which played a crucial role in strengthening cultural and scholarly relations across the Sahara.
Additionally, the book examines key moments in Ahmad Baba's life, including his exile to Marrakech, where he continued his academic work in teaching and authorship. It delves into his influence on Islamic sciences and provides an in-depth analysis of Morocco's historical ties with West Africa. Furthermore, it underscores the role of scholars in preserving Islamic heritage while highlighting the significance of African manuscripts in safeguarding the region's cultural identity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
MCE Congratulates Bahrain on Election to UN Security Council
Mohamed Mandour The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain—led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa—along with its government and noble people, on being elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, having secured broad international support with over 186 votes. The Council affirms that Bahrain's election to the Security Council is a testament to its significant efforts in promoting global peace and advancing the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace. This selection comes at a time when the world is in dire need of voices of wisdom amidst escalating challenges, wars, and conflicts. The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its strong confidence that Bahrain's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council will help amplify the Arab and Islamic stance on key global issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, and will serve as a sincere voice for the Ummah in addressing the challenges of our time. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
OIC Observes International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
Mohamed Mandour The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) solemnly observes the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression on June 4, 2025, a day that draws global attention to the devastating impact of violence, conflict, and aggression on children around the world. This year's commemoration reaffirms the OIC's deep concern over the persistent violations of children's rights, particularly in conflict zones where they are often the most vulnerable. The OIC underscores the urgent need to intensify international efforts to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation, efforts that are fully aligned with the principles and commitments enshrined in OIC charters and resolutions. In this regard, the OIC strongly affirms its unwavering stance in defending the rights of Palestinian children, who continue to suffer the devastating consequences of occupation, aggression, and systematic violations of international law. The OIC reiterates its steadfast commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of children affected by armed conflict. Through its humanitarian programs, coordination with Member States, and partnerships with international organizations, the OIC seeks to strengthen legal protections, ensure access to education and healthcare, and provide psychosocial support to children who have endured the horrors of war and aggression. The OIC also remains deeply concerned about the plight of Rohingya children and those living in dire conditions in refugee camps in some African countries, and continues to mobilize efforts to provide them with vital support and protection. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
Alex Malete (Botswana): 'Our minimum target is the quarterfinals'
A former radio analyst, trained teacher and FIFA instructor, Alex Malete wants to make Botswana a serious contender Appointed head coach in 2023 after years as an assistant, he's brought a new level of discipline to the Mares' preparations Botswana will face Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 He no longer wants Botswana to be seen as mere participants. At just 35 years old, Alex Basimanebotlhe Malete is determined to shake up the hierarchy of African women's football. He's not just dreaming he's planning. He's not there to take part he's there to compete, to be seen, to break through barriers. Promoted to head coach of the Mares in 2023 after several years behind the scenes as assistant coach, Malete wasted no time in making his presence felt. Gone are the days of half-hearted preparations and excuses around lack of experience. Under his leadership, everyday matters, every session is carefully planned, every friendly is treated as a proper test. 'Not reaching the quarterfinals would be unacceptable,' he states clear-eyed but ambitious. And it's not just talk. Despite his youth, Malete speaks from experience. He knows this team inside out, having been part of it for years. He started off as 'just' the assistant. Now, he's the one in charge. And his unconventional background is his greatest asset: a former radio analyst who turned his attention to the pitch, a qualified teacher and a passionate FIFA instructor focused on youth development he represents a new wave of African coaches. With a clear approach, a youth-focused strategy and a bold message, he's determined to do better than in 2022, when Botswana surprised many by reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Morocco (2-1). But this time, the element of surprise is gone. Malete is open about his goal: he wants to make his team one of the continent's powerhouses. As the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 approaches, the team enters a critical phase of preparation. Under Alex Malete, Botswana moves forward with method and ambition no longer just to participate, but to make an impact. How would you assess your team's preparation for this TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON? Alex Malete: I'd say we're in the final stages of our preparation. We're starting our camp today, and we're waiting for all the players to join us. The good news is that one of our players, who was out for the whole of last year due to injury, is finally back. That's a big plus for us. Starting today, we'll focus on our next two matches against South Africa and Zambia. These two international friendlies will help us assess our current level. In terms of fitness, we know most of our players are not yet where they should be. In 2022, during your first appearance, Botswana reached the quarterfinals. What lessons have you taken from that experience? We learnt a great deal. It was a first for everyone the players, the technical staff, the federation. One key lesson was around how we handled conceding goals, and especially the mental preparation of the players, particularly when facing teams like Nigeria. You could sense even before kick-off that mentally, we weren't ready for them. Since then, we've grown. I believe we're better equipped now to compete without being overawed by the occasion. We've faced high-level teams. In the upcoming FIFA window, we'll play Zambia and South Africa. In the past, we've played Tunisia (who are in our group), Mali, Morocco, and even Russia. These matches have helped us progress, both in terms of our game and our results. There's another key difference: during our first campaign, we only did one fitness test before the tournament. This time, we're doing two. We did the ALIA physical evaluation in January, and we'll do another right before the competition to tailor the training for each player's needs. This time, Botswana is in Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia and Algeria. What's your take on this group? All the groups are tough in my opinion. There's no easy group. If you look at Group A, it's even more competitive because it includes the host nation. Group C has the defending champions. In Group B, like last time, we've got Nigeria again. Nigeria's playing style is very different from Algeria or Tunisia. The latter two are very tactical, whereas Nigeria combines physical power with tactical discipline. So, we've prepared to face both types of opponents. Now we need to find a way to qualify for the next round. Let's talk a bit about you. You were a journalist before becoming a coach. How has that past experience helped in your coaching career? It's helped a lot. I started out in radio as an analyst. Then I moved into print and TV, which gave me the chance to observe and analyse matches, systems, team dynamics... It gave me a broader perspective on football, beyond the emotion of the pitch. As a journalist, you learn to ask the right questions and see things others might miss. That's helped me develop a critical eye, which is valuable now in evaluating our performances, preparing for matches, and even managing the group. I believe that this unique journey is one of my strengths as a coach today. How do you work to build a bridge between youth categories and the senior national team? We rely mainly on our youth national teams. Over the past year, we've integrated several players from the U20 squad. It's harder with the U17s, because they still have their own camps and are mostly in school. Balancing school, junior competitions, and the senior team is tough for them. But with the U20s, many are no longer studying, which makes things easier. As soon as we spot promising talent, we do everything we can to bring them into the senior team. Even if they don't play much at first, they get to learn about the environment, the culture, and the expectations. It's all part of preparing for the future. In your view, what would constitute a successful TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON for Botswana? A successful campaign would be reaching at least the quarterfinals. From there, we can start dreaming about the semi-finals. But honestly, not making it out of the group stage would be a failure for us. The goal is clear: to get to the quarters at minimum. Do you think this tournament could be a steppingstone to more international recognition for your players? Absolutely I truly believe that. The difference between us and countries like South Africa is that most of their players are in professional leagues. Why? Because they regularly play in CAF competitions, FIFA tournaments and the Olympics. For us, this second WAFCON appearance is a golden opportunity. It puts our players on the radar of scouts and professional clubs. The more girls we have playing professionally, the stronger our national team becomes. This tournament offers real exposure. If we do well, as we hope to, it could open many doors for our players. Final question, coach. What message would you give to a young African girl who dreams of becoming a footballer? My message is simple: your dreams are valid. A young African girl can make it in football. The examples are there: Barbara Banda is shining at the highest level. The Chawinga sisters from Malawi are playing in top leagues. Across North and West Africa, many others are succeeding too. And to parents and society at large, I'd say: let's change the perception that football is only for men. Football is for everyone.
