QU Conference to Discuss Arabic Language and Identity

Doha, April 04 (QNA) - Qatar University's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has held a press conference to announce the upcoming conference on "Arabic Language and Identity" scheduled for April 17-18. The conference is being organized by the Department of Arabic Language, as part of the College's ongoing mission to advance dialogue on the importance of the Arabic Language to Arabic and Muslim communities around the world. CAS Dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi and Department head Dr Ali Al-Kubaisi highlighted details of the event which is expected to draw over 200 academics, researchers, and language professionals from Qatar, the region and beyond. Participants from Qatar will include representatives from the Ministries of Education, Awqaf, and Culture, as well as colleagues from Education City institutions Georgetown University Qatar, and Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies, and independent school Al Jazeera Academy, in addition to faculty from the Arabic Language department. Guest speakers will include chief editor of Al Arab magazine Prof Ahmed El Thoubib, noted linguist and professor emeritus King Saud University Prof Hamza El Mozaini, linguistics scholar Prof Saad Maslouh, and Arabic syntax expert and Director of the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Prof Elabbas Benmaoum. "This is a timely moment to hold such a conference where we can hear from some of the most prominent Arabic specialists on the relevance of the connection between the Arabic language and our common identity, and discuss the way forward to further strengthening the role of the language in our societies and how we can better serve the language in our daily interactions", Dr Mustafawi said. "Additionally, they will share how curricula can be changed to engage more effective teaching and learning of the language to make it more vibrant for students at all levels, especially in the primary and secondary schools", she added. Conference organizers received over 200 papers from around the world from which 21 were chosen for the event program, Dr Al-Kubaisi said. (QNA)