Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid An integrated strategy comprising seven points to protect and promote the Arabic language in the UAE was announced Monday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The announcement was made at the opening session of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Policies Council, a new channel of communication with all segments of society and a platform for proposing creative and innovative national ideas.
Shaikh Mohammad said that a focus on nurturing the language is important to uphold the Emirati national identity for future generations.
He explained that the new initiatives are in line with the UAE Vision 2021 that aims at all-round development while promoting national identity and cultural cohesiveness.
\"Our national identity is integrally linked to the Arabic language, which serves as an effective medium to express our values, culture and heritage. Promoting the language will enable our future generations to connect with our roots, society and values more effectively,\" Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad announced wide-ranging initiatives to promote the use of Arabic, including the setting up of an Arabic Language Charter and the formation of an international committee of experts to promote Arabic as the language of science and technology. He said that an Advisory Council, headed by the Minister of Culture, will implement the new Arabic Language Charter. The objective of the Charter is to protect the essence of the language and enhance its usage.
Other initiatives announced by Shaikh Mohammad include the setting up of a dedicated educational facility at Zayed University to promote Arabic education for non-Arabic speakers, and establishing a faculty of translation at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Media College.
The Zayed University facility will network with international universities and educational centres to enable students to transfer to the UAE for learning Arabic. The Faculty of Translation is envisaged to become the hub for Arabic translation services in the region, which will offer quality educational materials for students.
Shaikh Mohammad announced plans to enhance Arabic content online through the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which will be supervised by TRA\'s Telecommunication and Information Systems Fund.
Poetry, writing, calligraphy and reading competitions for school students will also be rolled out under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.
The international committee of experts to revive Arabic as the language of science and technology will be headed by Dr Farouk Al Baz. The committee will recommend strategies to modernise methods for learning the Arabic language, that will benefit people across the Arab world.
The report and studies will be used as entry point for developing Arabic language curriculums and teaching methods in order to implement a root and comprehensive change in these methods. All Arab nations will be able to use the results of the committee\'s work to enhance the standing of Arabic as a language of culture, science and civilisation.
Abdul Gaffar expressed gratitude on behalf of intellectuals, writers and all sectors of society, to Shaikh Mohammad for his kind personal attention and care given to the Arabic language.
Shaikh Mohammad received Bilal Al Budoor, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs and Director of the Arabic Language Protection Society, established in 1999.
Shaikh Mohammad stressed his support for all individual and joint initiatives aiming to spread and empower the Arabic language in UAE society.
\"Our language is our national identity and a source of pride, and all should work to preserve it and protect it from negligence,\" he said.
An Arabic language charter that aims to enhance the standing of the language, protect its essence and enhance its usage.
An Arabic Language Advisory Council, chaired by the Minister of Culture, will be responsible for supporting efforts to implement the initiatives made in the charter.
An international committee of experts to revive Arabic as the language of science and technology, will be tasked with preparing a report and studying new methods for teaching the Arabic language.
Organising Arabic language competitions in the field of writing, calligraphy and reading in private and public schools to honour students who excel in the language.
Setting up an educational facility at Zayed University to promote Arabic language education for non-Arabic speakers.
Setting up a faculty of translation at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Media College for graduate students in the field of translation.
An online initiative to enhance Arabic content online. The initiative will be supervised by TRA\'s Telecommunication and Information Systems Fund.
The initiative to promote the use of Arabic reflects his awareness and understanding of the modern age requirements, according to Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and head of the Advisory Council to implement the Arabic Language Charter.
\"First of all, I would like to thank Shaikh Mohammad for this initiative, as Arabic language is a key factor in our national identity, not just in the UAE but across the Arab nation,\" he said.
\"Shaikh Mohammad is known for his practical and target-oriented initiatives, and this seven-point initiative is an example,\" Al Owais said. Text for story