How the UAE is taking Arabic to the world
13 May 2025 23:17
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)The UAE has long been committed to the promotion and preservation of the Arabic language and culture. Guided by the directives of its leadership, the UAE's schools teach Arabic as a mandatory subject, and its universities offer a mandatory course in Arabic culture.These efforts also transcend national borders, with the UAE ensuring that Arabic is learnt and loved globally through a number of educational facilities.The most recent of these — the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Centre for Arabic Language —is set to be established in Türkiye, on the premises of the Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, and in partnership with UAE University (UAEU).Announced during a visit this month to Istanbul by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the centre aims to offer specialised educational programmes for teaching Arabic to Turkish and international students, and support scientific research in Arabic language and culture.It also aspires to serve as a platform for cultural dialogue, and to foster mutual understanding between the Arab world and Türkiye through cultural events. The UAEU will specifically support the centre's activities and educational initiatives to ensure the sustainable development of Arabic language learning in Türkiye.
Following a Precedent This new centre follows a precedent set as far back as 1990 by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, during a historic visit to China. During the trip, Sheikh Zayed announced a $1.3 million grant to establish the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing, with the aim of promoting Arabic language and culture in the Far East.The Chinese institute, which opened in 1994, is housed at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, and offers bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees in the Arabic language.It was refurbished through another grant made by the UAE in 2012, and today, continues to run exchange programmes with prominent universities in the Arab World, including the UAE University, Zayed University, the Mohammed V University in Morocco, and the Ain Shams University in Cairo.By 2019, the Beijing-based facility had trained more than 2,000 students, who had gone on to take up roles within the global diplomatic, cultural, trading, media and academic sectors.
Centre in Astana
The UAE also opened another centre with a similar mission in June 2019. The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Arabic Learning Centre was established at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed School in Kazakhstan's capital city – Astana – following a gift from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. It is housed at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed School, itself set up by former UAE President, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During his recent trip to Kazakhstan, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited the facility, commending its vital role in promoting Arabic language learning. His Highness also stressed the importance of supporting such initiatives, which embody the humanitarian and civilisational values of the UAE.
Serving as beacons of Arab culture, these centres of learning propagate the Arabic language globally. More importantly, they promote vital intercultural dialogue and understanding, taking the UAE's message of coexistence to the world.
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