Arabic Language Association in Sharjah hosts first social meeting

Sharjah 24

12-05-2025

Strengthening the Association's Impact
The gathering underscored the Association's new direction, focusing on expanding its reach and establishing a stronger presence in the cultural and social landscape as a platform for all efforts that serve the Arabic language. The aim is to enable both native and non-native speakers to engage with and appreciate the language.
Gathering Held at the Arab Cultural Club
The meeting took place at the Arab Cultural Club in Sharjah, with the full participation of the Association's Board members, led by Dr. Saeed Obaid Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Board; Dr. Aisha Al Ghais, Vice-Chair; Dr. Jamal Yousef Al Zarouni, Secretary-General; and Mr. Mohamed Shuaib Al Hammadi, Financial and Administrative Director. Also attending were Hanan Mahmoud, Wafaa Al Shamsi, and Eman Mustafa. The meeting reflected a unified vision and shared goals for a more active and effective future for the Association.
Dr. Saeed Al Tunaiji began the meeting with a warm welcome, expressing his gratitude to the Board members for their dedication and participation. He emphasised that the upcoming phase requires fruitful teamwork to ensure the Association's name reaches the widest segments of society. He encouraged people from all sectors to recognise the Association's mission and its impactful initiatives for both Arabic speakers and those keen on learning the language.
Call for new talent and vision
In his speech, Dr. Al Tunaiji focused on the importance of attracting fresh talent with creativity and developmental vision to join the Association's committees. He pointed out that involvement in the Association's work is not merely voluntary but rather a cultural and humanitarian responsibility. It is a genuine contribution to the service of the Arabic language and its identity.
Dr. Al Tunaiji also urged members to remain engaged and actively present ideas and proposals that would benefit the Arabic language. He reaffirmed that the door is always open for any sincere voice eager to promote and protect the beautiful Arabic language.
Presentation on the association's committees
The event featured a visual presentation introducing the work of the Association's various committees. This provided the attendees with a deeper understanding of how the internal workings of the Association function and how community participation can be activated through these committees. This served as a starting point for a session rich in diverse and meaningful discussions, with various proposals and suggestions offered by those present.
Commitment to welcoming ideas and proposals
During this session, Mohamed Shuaib Al Hammadi reiterated the Board's full readiness to receive all ideas and suggestions. He noted that every honest effort aimed at benefiting the Arabic language will be taken into account and discussed within the Association's formal processes. He also stressed the need to keep communication channels open with all members of the community to help build a comprehensive linguistic system.
Addressing current challenges in the Arabic language
Dr. Jamal Yousef Al Zarouni addressed the current challenges, noting that some activities previously initiated by the Association are now being offered by private centres and institutions. This situation calls for careful examination of those experiences, with a view to creating unique content that represents the Association's identity and renews its distinction. He emphasised that excellence in both presentation and content is key to leadership and sustainability.
Promoting institutional partnerships
Dr. Aisha Al Ghais emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships and pushing for Arabic to become the official language of communication within government bodies and educational institutions. She also highlighted the need for the Association to actively participate in local and international scientific forums through research papers presented by expert members, ensuring a solid academic representation that befits the Association's stature.
Initiatives for youth development in Arabic
Eman Mustafa highlighted the "Creative Pen – Fourth Generation" initiative, describing it as a promising platform for developing the creative writing skills of young people. She noted that the initiative would enhance their linguistic abilities, contributing to a stronger cultural and media presence for them.
Fostering Arabic usage among students
In alignment with this, Wafaa Al Shamsi discussed the "We Speak Arabic" initiative, underlining that fostering a love for the Arabic language in students begins with encouraging its use in their daily lives and even on social media platforms. This approach helps prepare them intellectually and linguistically for a future that celebrates identity and belonging.
Media strategy and student talent development
The media aspect was also addressed, with Hanan Mahmoud responding to a question about the importance of a youth-driven media platform to represent the Association. She explained that the Association is working on developing the "Secrets of Al-Dhad" programme, which aims to discover and nurture student talent in fields like speech, dialogue, and presentation.
Strengthening collective efforts for the Arabic language
Dr. Saeed Al Tunaiji concluded the meeting by praising the members for their insightful contributions, describing the gathering as the first step in a series of future meetings aimed at strengthening collective efforts and promoting a culture of constructive dialogue. He reaffirmed that the Association will continue to be an open platform for anyone passionate about the Arabic language and will support any initiative that uplifts the language, thought, and society.