The kick-off of these festivities, supervised by the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, was given on the rhythm of the national anthem, in the presence of the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, members of the government, representatives of local authorities, elected officials, diplomats accredited to Morocco and prominent figures in the world of culture, art, politics and media.

During the ceremony, the Director General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed Al Malik, handed over the banner of the celebration to the President of the Rabat City Council, Asmaa Aghlalou, marking the inauguration of the general program of festivities which extends throughout the year and includes various educational, scientific and cultural activities.

It was marked by poetic and musical performances by the Al Ala music group from Tetouan, led by Amine Akrami alongside the soprano Samira Kadiri and artists Marouane hajji, Fouad Taibi, Abdeslam Essafiani and the young Abir Barakat.

According to ICESCO, Rabat was chosen as the capital of culture, within the framework of the program of capitals of culture in the Islamic world of the organization, because of the rich cultural heritage enjoyed by this ancient city, as well as its cultural and artistic institutions worldwide.

This choice is also explained by the cultural and artistic changes that this city is undergoing in its Arab, Islamic, African and Mediterranean environment, and the urban development it has witnessed under the high royal directives, to make it a hub of international cultural influence, and a cultural and tourist destination.

In addition to Rabat, ICESCO's list of Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2022 includes three other cities: Cairo (Egypt), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Bandung (Indonesia).