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The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has named Rabat as the Islamic world’s cultural capital for 2022 in recognition of the city’s effective implementation of an urban and cultural development program launched in 2015.
ISESCO’s director Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek announced the news on November 5 during a joint press conference with Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication.
The choice of Rabat sets the city’s authorities on a challenging task “of working to make this city” a city of knowledge in line with its newfound status as the “cultural capital in the Islamic world,” said El Malek.
Morocco’s administrative capital hosts the headquarters of the ISESCO, and El Malek used his speech at the joint press conference to express his organization’s gratitude to king Mohamed VI for constantly hosting them in Rabat and constantly supporting their initiatives.
El Malek said Rabat’s designation should help the post-COVID cultural revival in Morocco. He also announced a meeting on November 22 to address the joint programs between the Islamic organization and Morocco’s ministry of culture.
The Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region will be the focal axis for a program that will comprise a series of cultural activities, the ISESCO chief noted. The programs will include different sectors in the government as well as regional and local authorities.
ISESCo’s nomination of Rabat comes mainly in recognition of the effective implementation of the “Rabat Capital of Culture, City of Lights” initiative, which aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and have a positive impact on the environment.
King Mohammed VI launched the program on May 11, 2015, with an initial provisional investment nearing MAD 1.5 billion ($154.4 million) to improve mobility and living conditions in Rabat and its suburbs.
The Rabat development program focuses on preserving the city’s cultural heritage while also improving access to local services and facilities.
Also entailed in the initiative is the need to consolidate local good governance, upgrade Rabat’s urban fabric, modernize the city’s transportation infrastructure, and revitalize local economic activity.
