Latest news with #Maliha
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Transformation journey: UAE's evolution from 1993 to a global hub
Maliha and Faraz came to Dubai in 1993, and since then, the UAE has been their home. Faraz arrived in Dubai on a five-day visa, hoping to find a job in a land that was still in its infancy stage of development. 'When we first came to the UAE, we lived in the city of Sharjah, which bordered Dubai. I joined the Bank of Oman, which later came to be known as Mashreq Bank. Dubai at the time had started to show signs of development but was still sparsely populated and dotted with a few high-rise buildings,' Faraz recalls. Faraz and Maliha have witnessed the rise of the UAE over almost three decades. When they moved to the UAE, the country was very different. The infrastructure was still world-class but not as extensive as we see it today. Most banks were located on Al Fahidi Street, commonly known as Bank Street. In those days, the Clock Tower was an important landmark. Maliha recalls coming to Dubai and not knowing what to expect. She had moved from the US and initially thought she would have to make a lot of adjustments. In no time, however, she got used to life in Dubai, where the Pakistani community at that time was small and very supportive of each other. 'It is astonishing to see the speed with which the UAE has developed. When we came to the UAE, we could see the Trade Centre from our apartment in Sharjah. There was one mall and only two golf courses,' she shares. The UAE at that time had started to show signs of further development. However, at the time, it was difficult for women to make a mark in the workforce. Mostly, women taught in schools or found related work. Today, this has changed by many folds. We see women in every field. The gender difference is a thing of the past, and we see women employees in all kinds of jobs. As parents of two boys, Faraz and Maliha are full of praise for the UAE, where they have managed to raise them in a safe and healthy environment. The UAE offers one of the best schooling systems and, without a doubt, the safest environment for raising children. However, the students who leave the UAE are now coming back and serving the community. This trend is becoming more perpetuated as we are seeing a large number of the younger generation opting to work in the UAE rather than working abroad. Both Maliha and Faraz are of the opinion that great leadership is single-handedly responsible for the exemplary progress of the UAE. The vision of its leaders cannot be replicated. It has been exceptional. The rulers of the UAE have provided a first-class structure and an upbeat environment for startups and investments. The bureaucracy has always been conducive for investors from around the world. New investments are encouraged and facilitated by the government. This makes the UAE extremely attractive for investors. Faraz's own experience at Mashreq, and later at Dubai Islamic, has been a very successful career journey. 'Though Faraz has now retired, the facility of the Golden Visa has given us the opportunity to continue living here. The UAE offers us a very safe environment, a robust lifestyle and a medley of cultures very hard to find elsewhere,' Maliha says. Dubai, from a trading country, has changed into a mega financial hub. The focus on tourism, education, medical systems, and world-class infrastructure has facilitated economic growth exponentially. 'In the financial sector, the UAE has realised the need for modern tools and that the offerings on the trade side and treasury side should be world-class. The UAE has very successfully implemented this, and today it stands tall as a financial hub globally,' Faraz concludes.
Khaleej Times
30-01-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
How one family keeps Arabic Language Centre's legacy alive
The legacy of Maliha Wehbe, a Lebanese national whose love for the Arabic language led to the creation of the Arabic Language Centre, is in good hands. Her son and grandson, Fadeel Wehbe and Georges Wehbe, have committed their lives to ALC, which is in its 45th year. The Dubai-based teaching centre was launched in 1980, has since welcomed more than 7,000 students, helping many transform from complete beginners to confident Arabic speakers. Georges, said: 'Maliha Wehbe's profound passion for the Arabic language was the driving force behind her vision for ALC. Her journey began in 1968 in Beirut, where she taught diplomats and expatriates in her own home, fostering a deep appreciation for the language. In 1976, due to the Lebanese Civil War, she relocated to the UAE with her family, bringing her dedication to teaching Arabic to the country.' Maliha's work included teaching at the Dubai English Speaking School and offering private lessons at home. A pivotal moment came when she met Mrs Guillmard, the wife of the Dubai World Trade Centre's general manager and director, who was also passionate about the language. Together, they established the ALC at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which remains its home to this day. Going the extra mile 'Today, we strive to honour my grandmother's vision by maintaining her innovative teaching methodologies while adapting to modern needs. My father, Fadeel Wehbe, who has been instrumental in the centre's longevity, and I are focused on enhancing her legacy through initiatives that expand our reach and emphasise the relevance of Arabic in today's multicultural landscape,' adds the 24-year-old British-Lebanese national Georges. Maliha's approach to teaching Arabic emphasised simplicity and logic. Her curriculum, developed over four years, includes proprietary teaching materials such as the Business and Social Arabic series and the Arabic Alphabet Guide. These resources, paired with a focus on conversational fluency in the Levantine dialect, remain the cornerstone of the centre's educational methodology. 'Our approach integrates engagement, interactivity, and cultural immersion, ensuring students find the process enjoyable and practical. We continually update our materials to include modern topics while maintaining the foundational principles of Maliha's methods. This structure allows all of our students to connect, communicate, and collaborate, fostering a strong sense of community,' said 60-year-old Lebanese national Fadeel. However, the duo admit that one of the ALC's primary challenges is maintaining the balance between tradition and innovation. 'While my mother's teaching methods remain at the heart of our curriculum, adapting course content to address evolving interests and contemporary contexts requires meticulous planning and regular updates. Ensuring our materials resonate with modern learners while staying true to our roots is a constant yet rewarding process,' said Fadeel. Georges added that another challenge lies in accommodating the dynamic schedules of ALC's students. To address this, the centre has embraced hybrid learning models and a wide range of class timings, offering flexibility without compromising the immersive nature of in-person interactions. 'By enabling students to participate online while engaging with those in physical classrooms, we create an inclusive and interactive learning environment,' he said. Primary Goal ALC's primary goal is to further integrate Maliha's methodologies into organisations and companies both in the UAE and abroad, promoting Arabic as an essential tool in business and social contexts. 'Although English is widely spoken in the UAE, Arabic remains the official language, and our mission is to encourage its use among businesses in the region and beyond. By helping organisations develop cultural fluency and effective communication skills, we aim to foster deeper connections within the Middle East as well as globally,' added Georges. ALC recently collaborated with the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Centre for Excellence to host 35 students from Moscow's Primakov School for an immersive 11-day programme in Abu Dhabi. The students engaged in six hours of daily Arabic lessons, along with cultural activities like calligraphy workshops, tours of the Grand Mosque, and other enriching experiences. This programme not only deepened their appreciation for the Arabic language but also introduced them to the rich culture of the UAE. ALC hopes to replicate and expand such plans globally. As for what has been the most rewarding part of carrying the legacy forward, Georges said: 'Continuing my grandmother's legacy has been fulfilling. Witnessing the centre's growth and its transformative impact on students, especially during the joyful Sunday classes, reminds me that it's more than a language school; it's a community fostering connections and a lifelong journey with the Arabic language. Similarly, the CEO of ALC, Fadeel said: 'Maliha's love and passion for the Arabic language inspired me to continue her legacy. She worked tirelessly to create a methodology that made learning Arabic simple and fun. She opened The Arabic Language Centre in 1980, and although she passed away in 2006, the centre continues to thrive on the strong foundation she built. I hope she is proud that her hard work and knowledge continue to be passed on to future generations.' An ode to family Georges said he never envisioned himself working at ALC, despite spending much of his childhood there as a student. However, as he matured, he came to appreciate the magnitude of his grandmother's accomplishments and their impact. 'Initially, I supported the centre part-time, leveraging my experience in sales and business development. Over time, I became increasingly inspired by the centre's mission and its role in shaping lives through language. Joining ALC full-time was a decision rooted in a sense of pride and purpose. It is deeply rewarding to contribute to a family business that upholds values of education, culture, and connection in today's fast-paced world. For me, this is more than a job — it's an opportunity to honour my grandmother and build on the foundation she created,' concluded Georges.
