Arab Parliament for the Child to debate ‘Cultural Identity'

Sharjah 24

6 days ago

High-level support highlights importance
This session holds exceptional significance as it is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and with the follow-up of His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. This reflects the level of high-level support the Parliament initiative receives and underscores that the future of the Arab child is an integral part of a broader, comprehensive project.
Identity as the foundation of awareness
From this standpoint, several members of the Arab Parliament for the Child have expressed the importance of this topic and their readiness to discuss it under the dome of their parliament. They believe that cultural identity is not merely a topic to be debated, but the very essence upon which the Arab child's awareness is built. It serves as the gateway to their belonging to their homeland and a source of strength amid the challenges of globalisation and digital openness.
Omani parliament head: Identity is rooted in values, not symbols
Ilyas bin Awadh Al-Ma'ni, President of the Arab Parliament for the Child from the Sultanate of Oman, believes that true preparation for such a session lies in delving deep into the concept of cultural identity, researching its sources, and examining how it is influenced by the digital world and language challenges. He is convinced that identity is not just a set of symbols, but deep-rooted in language, values, and traditions.
Ilyas is keen on reviewing successful Arab experiences in this field, consulting educators and intellectuals, and even speaking with children from his local community to understand how connected or distant they are from their language and identity. He points to the vital role that the family, school, and media play in embedding this identity.
He adds that integrating heritage and the arts into curricula, and organising national activities and competitions, are effective ways to strengthen a child's pride in their identity. As he puts it, 'Preserving identity is not just an intellectual priority, but a civilisational safeguard for nations.'
Jordanian member: Identity must be lived, not just studied
Rabeea Ibrahim Abu Rumman, a member of the Arab Parliament for the Child from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, states that preparing for a topic like this is not limited to reading briefing papers. Instead, it requires genuine engagement with the lived reality of the Arab child amidst the challenges of social media and media openness.
She explains that her planned intervention will focus on the voice of the Arab child, what belonging means to them, and what the family, school, and media can do to help them remain connected to their language and heritage. She emphasises the urgent need for purposeful and well-targeted Arabic media content for children and calls for cultural networking between Arab children through programmes and initiatives that promote the exchange of shared heritage and values.
She concludes, 'Identity is not a luxury, but a safeguard that protects the child from dissolution, and a fundamental right of every child to know their origins, speak their language, and live their values.'
Palestinian member: Identity must be protected from a young age
Mai Jalal Abdulaziz, a member of the Arab Parliament for the Child from the State of Palestine, shared her perspective with a deep philosophical and human touch. She sees cultural identity not just as a topic for discussion, but as a vital project to protect Arab childhood from confusion and loss. She explains that a child is like 'soft clay' – shaped from an early age – and that the concepts and values instilled in them remain for life. If their identity is not safeguarded early on, they become fragile in the face of globalisation.
Mai is preparing through in-depth research into the components of identity: language, heritage, historical symbols, customs, and traditions. She compares these foundational elements with the daily influences children face through screens. She says she is currently analysing children's behaviour on social media platforms, their use of the Arabic language, and whether their everyday cultural practices reflect authenticity or are dissolving into foreign influences.
Proposals for action and digital awareness
She also proposes practical steps, such as conducting simple field surveys to measure children's connection to their identity. Her planned parliamentary address will cover comprehensive themes, from language to digital media, passing through arts, diaspora, and artificial intelligence. Mai stresses: 'The Arab child today needs someone to listen to them, not to speak on their behalf… Identity is not taught—it is lived and experienced.'
Mai affirms that the second session of the Arab Children's Parliament in Sharjah will undoubtedly be a moment of awareness and belonging—a pan-Arab platform that listens to the voices of future generations and, through them, draws the features of the Arab child's cultural identity in a changing world where values struggle to survive, and children search for their roots in an accelerating age.
Iraqi member: Arabic is the anchor of collective memory
Aws Mohsen Ali, a member of the Arab Parliament for the Child from the Republic of Iraq, adds that his focus on the Arabic language is not only driven by his belief that it is the carrier of identity, but also because it forms the core around which the collective memory of the Arab nations is built. Without it, thought is scattered, shared sensibility fades, and the Arab character loses its clarity in young generations.
Therefore, he believes schools and educational curricula must form the first line of defence for the Arabic language. Curricula should be developed in a modern style that helps children love their language and leads them to explore its richness rather than be alienated by it.
Pride in Arab civilisation through education
Aws emphasises the importance of integrating the vocabulary of Arab civilisation into classroom instruction—not just as a historical narrative, but as a living legacy that must translate into daily behaviour and national pride. He believes that the Arab child needs to be told clearly: 'You belong to a great nation that has significantly contributed to humanity in fields like science, medicine, astronomy, language, and literature.' This message instils confidence and belonging—something fleeting social media content or widespread foreign media cannot provide.
Identity as a right and a responsibility
As a member of the Child Rights Committee, Aws believes that the right to cultural identity must be prioritised among the fundamental rights of the child. He notes that identity can be erased not only through wars or occupation but also through neglect, indifference, and blind imitation of cultures that don't resemble ours. This leads to values being consumed as commodities, and belonging reduced to mere slogans.
He explains that the Arab Children's Parliament is a space where this awareness, vision, and responsibility are expressed. For him, preparing for the upcoming session is not merely about drafting a speech or writing a position paper—it is an emotional and intellectual commitment to the belief that Arab cultural identity is not just a topic for debate, but a matter of existence and dignity.
A heartfelt message to the Arab world
Aws concludes with a heartfelt plea: 'From this parliamentary platform, I raise my voice on behalf of millions of Arab children to say: We are not asking to be copies of others—we want to be ourselves… with our language, our culture, our history, and our emotions. We want to grow up in an open world, yes—but with our feet firmly planted in our land, our identity, and our authenticity.'
With these sincere and profound words, Aws—and all the members of the Parliament—embody the new consciousness carried by the Arab child today. They enter the second session hall in Sharjah not merely as seekers of knowledge, but as builders of identity and guardians of the cultural essence in a world that has no place for those who do not know themselves.