ICESCO Joins Gaza’s Children in ‘Enjoy Your Life with Music’

ICESCO Joins Gaza’s Children in ‘Enjoy Your Life with Music’
TT

ICESCO Joins Gaza’s Children in ‘Enjoy Your Life with Music’

ICESCO Joins Gaza’s Children in ‘Enjoy Your Life with Music’

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the closing ceremony of the “Enjoy Your Life with Music,” an ICESCO-funded initiative that was held in Gaza and organized by the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in partnership with Al-Sununu Association for Culture and Arts.

The project is aimed at improving the mental health of Gaza’s children, particularly those who have been exposed to violence and suffer from post-traumatic stress, by using music therapy as a means for unleashing positive creative expression that has an array of psychological benefits and helps unlock children’s full potential.

Dr. Mohammed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, represented the Organization at the ceremony held on Saturday via videoconference.

In his statement, Dr. Zine El Abidine stressed the need for a peaceful and serene world free of conflict and hostility, noting that music is a universal language we all understand that has deep philosophical roots and appeals to the mind and soul.

He added that ICESCO seeks to promote peace and believes in the role youths can play in peace-building, which has pushed it to launch several programs aimed at training youths and building their capacities, especially in anchoring peace and coexistence and promoting technology, innovation, and strategic foresight.

At the end of the ceremony, Al-Sununu Association for Culture and Arts offered its shield to ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik in recognition of his efforts and in appreciation of the Organization’s support for this program.

Dr. Dawas Dawas, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Chairman of ICESCO’s Executive Council, received the shield on Malik’s behalf.



‘Archaeological Masterpieces’ Stolen from Dutch Museum

FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
TT

‘Archaeological Masterpieces’ Stolen from Dutch Museum

FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo

Three gold bracelets and a helmet featured in an exhibition at The Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, were stolen on Friday night after thieves stormed the museum using an explosive device.

The exhibition, “Dacia - Empire of Gold and Silver,” presented a loaned artistic pieces from Romania. It was scheduled to continue until the end of the week.

However, police received a report around 3:45 am local time Saturday about an explosion at the museum. Upon arrival, officers found the museum damaged and the gold masterpieces gone.

The stolen artifacts — described by the museum as “archaeological masterpieces” — include the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, a famed relic that dates back to roughly 450 BC.

Historian Dimitri Tilloi-d'Ambrosi said the helmet is a “jewel” and represented one of the precious artifacts that were displayed in the exhibition. He added that Dacia was a strong kingdom north of the Danube, and was famous for gold and silver mines.

The museum’s director, Harry Tupan, said the institution had never seen “such a major incident” in its 170-year history.

“This is a dark day for the Drents Museum in Assen and the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. We are intensely shocked,” he said.

The museum’s premises were damaged by the explosion, though no injuries were reported. It remained closed through the weekend due to the robbery.

Dutch police announced that they are working with global police agency Interpol. Investigators are currently looking for information about a gray car that was stolen from the nearby city of Alkmaar earlier in the week and was discovered around four miles from the crime scene, on fire, shortly after the overnight heist.

Police believe the suspects abandoned the vehicle, which had stolen license plates, and fled in a different getaway car.

Dutch authorities contacted the Romanian government to investigate the case.