On 18 December 2024, a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova took part in the events in honor of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi held at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.
The events were organized by the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the ICESCO General Directorate and the General Secretariat of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY).
In the first half of the day, M. Byashimova met with Dr. Salim Bin Mohammed AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO. The sides discussed the possibilities of cooperation development, emphasizing the importance of cultural diplomacy in the expansion of friendly ties between countries and peoples.
Then, the festive events organized in honor of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi started. First, the participants found an opportunity to get acquainted with the exhibition of arts and crafts of the Turkmen people.
Then, the opening of the scientific-practical conference “Joint Efforts for Comprehensive Study of the Life and Works of Magtymguly Fragi” was held with the participation of representatives of Turkmen and foreign scientists.
Opening the conference, ICESCO Director General Dr. Salim Bin Mohammed AlMalik emphasized the special significance of the humanitarian content of Magtymguly Fragi’s work for the whole humanity, especially for the Islamic world. The Head of ICESCO noted that Magtymguly Fragi created a unique bridge connecting countries and peoples. Expressing gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan and the leadership of TURKSOY for the initiative to hold such an important event on the platform of ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed readiness for further development of cooperation.
Then the Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev gave a speech. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan and ICESCO for supporting the initiative of celebrating the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Mr. Raev emphasized that these events serve as stimulus for the rapprochement of peoples through joint values. He also underlined that TURKSOY, with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan, is implementing and will continue to implement multifaceted projects aimed at popularizing the national identity of the Turkmen people.
In her speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova expressed gratitude to the leadership of ICESCO and TURKSOY for organizing the event at a high level and noted that honoring Magtymguly Fragi all over the world once again confirms his importance for the whole humankind.
At the conference the speeches of Chinar Rustemova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, Kakajan Janbekov, Scientific Secretary of the Magtumguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Selcan Sağlık Şahin, Associate Professor - Doctor of the Faculty of Modern Dialects of Turkic Languages of the Ankara University, as well as Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation of ICESCO were heard.
In the speeches the importance of this event in popularizing the heritage of Magtymguly Fragi and his works on the platform of ICESCO, which is the second largest organization of scientific-educational and cultural scope, was emphasized. The works of Moroccan scholar Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta, who visited ancient Kunyaurgench in the XIV century and familiarized himself with the rich culture of the Turkmen people, were presented as an example.
The importance of Magtymguly Fragi’s works from the perspective of teaching and educating that for 300 years have served as a guide calling for humanity and peacefulness was especially emphasized.
The conference was followed by a gala concert of the masters of culture and art of the Turkic world.
