The Africa-Arab Cultural Institute (ICAA), in collaboration with the Association of Nationals and Supporters for the Development of the Timbuktu Region (ARDCT), organized an international scientific symposium on the theme: “The historical cities of Sub-Saharan Africa and their role in strengthening Afro-Arab relations: past, present and future” on October 16 and 17, 2025, at the Modibo Keïta Memorial in Bamako, Mali.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. Mahamadou Koné, Malian Minister of Religious Affairs, Worship and Customs, and was also attended by eminent professors and university researchers from Mali and abroad.
The opening ceremony was also attended by dignitaries, officials, journalists, traditional authorities, cultural figures, and the general public.
The opening ceremony included four statements:
Statement by H.E. Dr. Mahamoud ARBY, Executive Secretary of the Association of Nationals and Supporters for the Development of the Timbuktu Region.
Remarks by Mr. Ali-Mohamed SINANE, UNESCO Representative and Acting Head of Office.
Remarks by Dr. Mabrouk KRAIEM, Acting Director General of the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute.
And finally, statement by H.E. Dr. Mahamadou KONÉ, Minister of Religious Affairs, Worship and Customs, who officially declared the symposium open.
The symposium was conducted through four working sessions as follows:
The first session, chaired by Ambassador ASCOFARE Moulaye Aly Kalil, included three papers:
The first, presented by Dr. Chirfi Moulaye HAIDARA, Researcher and Writer, Officer of the National Order of Mali, entitled: “Timbuktu: an invaluable contribution to Afro-Arab relations.”
The second by Mr. Mahamane Mahamoudou, alias Hamou Mahamane Dedeou, manuscript specialist, entitled: “Timbuktu and its far-reaching relations.”
The third by Professor Dr Seyni MOUMOUNI, Teacher-Researcher at the Institute for Research in Human Sciences (IRSH) of Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey – Niger, entitled: “The role of Agadez in strengthening Afro-Arab relations.”
The second session, chaired by Dr Abdellatif ABID, also included three papers:
The first by Dr Mohamed Saidou BAH, General Secretariat of the Islamic Conference for Thought and Civilization, Senegal, entitled: “Islamic cities of Senegal, Saint-Louis (André), bridge of communication and oasis of cultural exchange.”
The second by Dr Sidi Mohamed Sidina, Teacher-Researcher at the University of Nouakchott and the Higher School, Mauritania, entitled: “Chinguetti: Memory of the Sahara and bridge of Arab-African communication.”
The third presentation was given by Ambassador ASCOFARE Moulaye Aly Kalil, under the title: “Timbuktu, Place and Role in Strengthening Afro-Arab Relations”
The third session, chaired by Dr. Mohamed Saidou BAH, also included three papers:
The first was presented by SANE CHIRFI ALPHA, retired PPESG, writer, poet, and researcher, under the title: “The University of Sankoré in Afro-Arab Relations”
The second was presented by Shagroon Abdulfattah BASHIR, Director of the Office of Conferences and International Organizations and Relief, World Islamic Call Association, Tripoli – Libya, under the title: “The City of Ghadames and its Historical Role in Relations between Libya and Sub-Saharan Africa”
The third was by Dr Abdellatif ABID, former Tunisian Minister of Education, former President of the League of Arab States Center, former Deputy Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Tunisia, under the title: “What Role Does Africa-Arab Cooperation Play in Promoting the Cultural Heritage of Historical Cities South of the Sahara?”
The closing session was led by Dr Mabouk KRAIEM, Acting Director General of the Institute, and H.E. Dr Mahamoud ARBY, Executive Secretary of the Association of Nationals and Supporters for the Development of the Timbuktu Region, who commended the success of the symposium through the relevant recommendations and solutions proposed. They also expressed their sincere thanks to the two coordinators of the symposium, namely Mohamed Misbaho TRAORE and Souleymane Alkamiss CISSE, who were instrumental in achieving this success.
The presentations and discussions held during the various sessions and the interactions with the eminent university researchers from Mali and cultural figures allowed for the sharing of their expertise, challenging preconceived ideas, and proposing solutions that should shape the trajectory of Africa-Arab relations. It is important to champion the heritage of our historic cities by building bridges that connect our past to a future of unity, prosperity, and mutual understanding.