Sudan: Sudan has called on the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) to expand its support programmes in education, culture, and heritage protection, amid the ongoing war in the country since April 2023.
According to Sudan News Agency, Minister of Education and National Pedagogy, Dr. Al-Tohami Al-Zain Hajar, head of Sudan's delegation to the ISESCO General Conference in Kazan, expressed Sudan's support for the organization's 2026-2029 strategy as a key framework for assisting crisis-affected states. The delegation included Sudan's Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Al-Ghazali Siraj, alongside senior ministry officials.
Dr. Hajar welcomed the renewal of Dr. Salim bin Mohamed Al-Malik as ISESCO Director-General, citing the continued institutional progress achieved under his leadership. The conference is being held within the Kazan International Forum in Russia on May 13-14.
The minister highlighted that the war, waged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia with backing from abroad, has targeted Sudan's education system and cultural heritage through the destruction of schools, universities, museums, and archaeological sites. Despite the severe damage to the education sector, the state has continued operating schools and conducting public examinations.
Dr. Hajar proposed several measures including emergency education programmes, teacher training, flexible curricula, and support for protecting and digitizing Sudan's cultural heritage. He also advocated for the upgrade of the Sennar Regional Center for Dialogue and Cultural Diversity into an ISESCO regional office.
The Minister praised ISESCO's 'Supporting Sudan' initiative, particularly its role in education and psychosocial support for students affected by the conflict, and reaffirmed Sudan's commitment to cooperating within the organization.