Sultan establishes Arabic Language Association

Sharjah is preparing a generation with links to its original identity and its Arabic and Islamic culture, by adopting various initiatives that have strengthened the status of the Arabic language.”

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi

sharjah — His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced the establishment of the Arabic Language Association. The association includes several Arabic linguists and researchers from various Arab countries, aiming to support the Arabic language.

This came during a meeting held on Tuesday morning in Paris between Dr Sheikh Sultan and a group of Arabic speakers, senior officials of the linguistic and scientific councils and the Arabic language centres in the Arab world. Members of the Supreme Scientific Committee of the ALECSO-Sharjah Award for Language and Lexical Studies also attended the meeting on the sidelines of the launch of the award’s second edition.

During the meeting, Dr Sheikh Sultan, who is also the Chairman of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, highlighted the importance of the Arabic language “that promotes the Arab identity among the children”.

He exchanged talks on topics of common concerns related to the Arabic language, discussing ways that promote the language, especially among the younger generation.

He also underscored the efforts of Sharjah in “preparing a generation with links to its original identity and its Arabic and Islamic culture”. The emirate has adopted various initiatives that have strengthened the status of the Arabic language. It has also established many scientific and cultural institutions, including the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah and Al Qasimia University, which contribute in the dissemination of the Arabic language among non-speakers in various parts of the world.

During the meeting, the Sharjah Ruler said the Arabic Language Association aims to empower the Arabic language.

Dr Khalil Al Nahawi, head of the Council of Arabic Tongue in Mauritania — which was established with the support of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah — briefed the attendees on the most important activities organised by the council.

The Grand Mufti of the Republic of Croatia, Dr Aziz Hasanovic, also briefed the attendees on the steps taken to establish the Arabic language department at the University of Croatia, which was cofounded by the Arabic Language Academy.

The meeting also tackled several topics related to the linguistic and scientific councils in the Arab world, highlighting the challenges they face in achieving the councils’ objectives.

The presidents and senior officials of the Arab councils expressed their appreciation to Dr Sheikh Sultan for his “great efforts in preserving the Arabic language”. They highlighted his “significant role” in supporting the Arabic language in global forums and honouring several distinguished and creative linguists. —