Latest news with #BilAraby
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QF's BilAraby Summit highlights how Arabic can thrive in digital age
Tribune News Network Doha Earlier this year, Qatar Foundation's inaugural BilAraby Summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to explore the evolution of the Arabic language in the age of Artificial Intelligence, digitization, and entrepreneurship—while honouring its cultural legacy. Held at Qatar Foundation's Education City, the summit served as a platform to amplify voices and ideas from across the Arabic-speaking world. More than 800 participants, including technology experts and creators, engaged in panel discussions, interactive workshops, and dialogue-driven sessions, focusing on the role of Arabic as a dynamic and modern language. 'This summit focused on practical models demonstrating Arabic's value as a language of science and innovation,' said Dr Anwar Dafa-Alla, translation consultant at the BilAraby Initiative. Dr Dafa-Alla participated in an exploratory session titled 'Translating BilAraby Content: A Bridge to Global Communication,' where he underlined the initiative's Open Translation Project which aims to translate Arabic content into multiple languages, extending its reach to a global audience. Dr Dafa-Alla said the project seeks to make BilAraby sessions accessible worldwide, freely disseminate knowledge, and support the digital growth of the Arabic language. It also aims to strengthen Arab identity globally, and foster social impact by sharing inspiring ideas with non-Arabic speakers. In light of the success of the inaugural summit, BilAraby is preparing for its second edition alongside a number of regional events. Faisal Alagel, chief executive producer of Sard Group from Kuwait, said: 'In recent years, we have seen a renewed focus on questions of identity and language within Arab society. This shift marks a new phase of reexamining the values that shape our lives, the language we use to think, to speak with one another and with our children, and to create arts and sciences. The BilAraby Summit offered a valuable platform for dialogue and the exchange of experiences and expertise among content creators and professionals engaged in the Arab world.' Among these compelling voices who shared their story at the summit was Abdul Rahman Sayidi from Mauritania, a business administration researcher and academic advisor, who introduced a visionary model of working that harmonizes with the rhythms of the universe and human nature. He explained that his model, which blends philosophy and science, depicts time as a facilitator of life, rather than a source of stress. The summit also spotlighted the journey of Arab innovators including Egyptian engineer Taimur Al-Hadidi, who built a house entirely using recycled materials; Diana Al-Sindi, the Iraqi engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), who inspired by distant stars, taught Arab youth that space is an adventure for all; and Jordanian educator Salam Katanani, who transformed the world of science into a realm of exploration and excitement.
Al Bawaba
20-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Qatar Foundation Launches BilAraby Summit Celebrating Arabic Language and Culture
Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, attended on Saturday, the opening of the inaugural BilAraby Summit, a flagship initiative by Qatar Foundation dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of the Arabic language and culture, at Multaqa (Student Center) in Education City. The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries and policy and changemakers from Qatar and around the world. The two-day Summit, held from 19 to 20 April, under the theme 'Ideas Have a Voice and an Echo' is part of a broader effort to promote Arabic in creative and scientific fields, while opening new avenues for Arab innovators to express their ideas in their native language. During a tour of the Summit, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind explored the interactive exhibits and creative spaces featuring leading local and regional institutions. These spaces served as an open platform for exchanging experiences and showcasing ideas and projects, all within an atmosphere that celebrates Arab identity and innovation. The Summit is being attended by more than 500 participants from the Middle East, North Africa, and globally, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and innovators. This turnout underscores the significance of the initiative as a cultural and linguistic catalyst, and as a unique forum where the Arabic language intersects with the realms of scientific and artistic innovation. Speaking about the BilAraby Summit, Hisham Nourin, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Qatar Foundation, said: 'BilAraby is more than a Summit, it is a strategic expression of our belief that Arabic is not a language of the past, but of the future. At Qatar Foundation, we see the preservation and advancement of Arabic as a cornerstone in building thriving knowledge societies that innovate without losing sight of who they are.' He added: 'We believe Arabic, with all its cultural depth and expressive power, is a language of creativity in every field – from literature and arts to science and technology. Therefore, we are committed to creating the resources and platforms that make Arabic more fluid in daily life, especially in the digital space where knowledge and thought leadership are being redefined." The opening day featured a diverse lineup of talks, performances, and conversations exploring how Arabic can shape, and be shaped by, today's world. Renowned artist Lotfi Bouchnak opened the Summit with a musical performance steeped in identity. His performance was followed by Engineer Fidaa Al-Khashi, who reflected on the power of Arabic storytelling in a talk titled 'Identity is Untranslatable'. Another talk titled 'Green Resistance' featured Engineer Razan Zaiter, who discussed the significance of agriculture as a cultural and political act. Other talks during the opening session saw Abdul Rahman Sayidi, a speaker from Mauritania, pose a provocative question in his talk, 'Do we work to live, or live to work?' and lastly, Diana Al-Sindi, an aerospace engineer, rounded off the opening session with an inspiring lecture on her journey from Iraq to space science, titled 'Space in Arabic'. Other sessions during the course of the day included 'The Illusion of Reality' by Salam Katanani; 'Each One of You is a Guardian' by Dr. Abdul Wahid Zainal; 'The Battle for the Future' by Lina Al-Thakir; and 'So That Our Ships Do Not Remain Made of Paper' by storyteller Amer Darwish. The day closed with a powerful artistic performance by Dr. Mustafa Said. A highlight of the day was the announcement of the winner of the BilAraby logo design competition, which attracted over 1,500 submissions from across the Arab world since its launch in September 2024. The competition challenged designers to create a logo embodying the essence of the initiative and its ambitious vision for the future. The winning logo, designed by Robin Khalil, draws from traditional Kufi script and is reimagined with a bold, modern twist. Its strong baseline symbolizes unity and stability, which, along with the contemporary design, reflects the initiative's mission to connect Arabic-speaking communities through a shared cultural and creative identity. The Summit has received widespread support from regional cultural and educational institutions, most notably the Misk Foundation, which presented its Majlis Athar Youth experience during a dedicated session, emphasizing the importance of Arab collaboration in empowering both language and youth. Other key partners feature prominent Arab cultural institutions that contributed to the Summit's dialogue sessions, enriching the intellectual and creative experiences of participants. These include QatarDebate, Qatar Foundation International, Qatar Reads, The Diwan, Al Sharq Forum, Sowt podcast, the Syrian Youth Council, Hamad Bin Khalifa University's Fanar Project, ArabiQuest, and Sard Media Group. BilAraby Summit continues on Sunday, 20 April, with a rich lineup of sessions, including a live performance by calligrapher Karim Jabbari. There will also be interactive labs, creative showcases, and open discussions at Majlis BilAraby and Manara BilAraby platforms. Reflecting Qatar Foundation's commitment to inclusivity, Arabic sign-language interpretation will be available for the Summit's lectures, alongside English translations for the main sessions.
Iraqi News
27-03-2025
- Science
- Iraqi News
Iraqi aerospace engineer to talk at Qatar's BilAraby Summit
Baghdad ( – Diana Al-Sindi, a Iraqi aerospace engineer, will attend the BilAraby Summit in Doha on April 19–20, 2025. Al-Sindi is scheduled to present on the subject of 'Bringing Space Closer to Our World' during a research session that will highlight scientific breakthroughs and ingenuity. BilAraby aims to honor and develop the diverse Arabic language and culture. According to its website, it seeks to elevate the voices, narratives, and concepts from the Arabic-speaking community. More than 500 well-known individuals from the Middle East are anticipated to attend BilAraby Summit, which will address a wide range of subjects like AI, environmental environmental responsibility, and exploration in space. Al-Sindi, a U.S.-based engineer who is credited with becoming the first engineer of Iraqi descent to work for NASA, has advanced space exploration by developing rockets and producing satellite technologies.
Zawya
09-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar Foundation's ‘BilAraby' announces inaugural summit
Doha, Qatar: BilAraby, a Qatar Foundation's initiative that seeks to amplify the voices of Arabic speakers and highlight their creativity, will hold its inaugural summit on 19 April 2025. The two-day summit will take place at Qatar Foundation's Multaqa (Education City Student Center) in Doha. Speakers from Qatar, Mauritania, Palestine, Sudan, India, Jordan, KSA, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq will come together to explore ideas in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, philosophy, psychology, health and well-being, business and economics, and many others. Over 500 influential figures from the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond will attend BilAraby's inaugural summit. The summit's programming will include more than 20 live lectures, exhibitions, and interactive activities, as well as 15 specialized workshops led by industry experts in the fields of Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Programming, Animation, Recycling, Arabic Language, Space, Media Production, Social Initiatives and more. There will also be exploratory sessions, panel discussions, and roundtables focused on the development of Arabic content and the promotion of innovation in the Arabic language. Hisham Nourin, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Qatar Foundation, emphasized that the selection of speakers followed a rigorous process, with over 700 applicants from 25 Arab countries. The selection criteria focused on identifying inspiring ideas with the potential for meaningful, real-world impact. 'We aim to showcase innovative ideas and visions with the potential for broad application,' said Nourin. 'Our primary goal is to reinforce Arab identity and support innovators contributing to Arab thought and creativity. The ideas and nominations we have received reflect the immense talent, creativity, and potential for positive change within our societies. These individuals deserve recognition, and their ideas should resonate globally in the Arabic language.' The inaugural BilAraby summit will also reveal the winning design of the initiative's logo competition, which attracted over 1,500 submissions from across the Arab world since its launch in September 2024. Launched under the theme "Ideas Have a Voice and an Echo," BilAraby, inspired by the rich history of Arab identity, encourages creativity and intellectual dialogue, offering diverse content that reflects the richness of Arab societies. Beyond the summit, the initiative also provides an interactive digital platform to facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge, fostering a cultural experience that promotes communication and creativity across various disciplines. For more information about BilAraby, visit: -Ends- About BilAraby: Launched under the slogan "Ideas have a voice and an echo," BilAraby is a Qatar Foundation initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of the Arabic language and culture. Its mission is to amplify the voices and success stories of the Arabic-speaking world while fostering vibrant communities that uphold human values. This dynamic initiative draws inspiration from the shared history and identity of the Arabic-speaking world, exploring inspiring ideas, nurturing creative thinking, reviving cultural exchange, and deepening intellectual dialogue. It achieves this through diverse and engaging discussions that reflect the cultural wealth of the Arabic language. Whether you are a scholar, student, or creative contributor, BilAraby invites you to join this inspiring journey. For more information, please visit: Follow our accounts on: Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. About Qatar Foundation – 30 Years of Unlocking Human Potential Qatar Foundation (QF) is a non-profit organization which, for 30 years, has supported the sustainable human, social, and economic development of Qatar through entities, programs, and initiatives focused on education, science and research, and community development. QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir of Qatar, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, who shared the vision of providing quality education for everyone in Qatar. In the three decades since, this vision has evolved into a globally unique, multidisciplinary ecosystem of knowledge – offering opportunities for lifelong learning, fostering innovation, and empowering people to be socially engaged citizens and drivers of positive change. This diverse but interconnected ecosystem comprises a world-class education landscape spanning the full spectrum of learning from pre-school to post-doctoral level; research, innovation, and policy centers addressing some of the world's greatest challenges facing the world; alongside community facilities for people of all ages to seek knowledge, embrace active lifestyles, and expand their horizons within QF's Education City, spanning 12 square kilometers in Doha, Qatar. With its efforts concentrated on generating impact in five key areas – progressive education, sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, precision health, and social progress – QF remains committed, as it has been for the past 30 years, to investing in Qatar and its people, and contributing to shaping a better world for all. For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, please visit: To stay up to date on our social media activities, follow our accounts on: Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn For any media inquiries, please contact: pressoffice@
