To Mark UN Arabic Language Day, Academics Affirm to QNA: Arabic Language Supplied Global Heritage with Knowledge Treasures, Enduring Art

Doha, December 17 (QNA) - The world is set to mark the UN Arabic Language Day Monday Dec. 18 under the theme: "Arabic – the Language of Poetry and Arts" since the language is considered one of the pillars of cultural diversity and the most prevalent languages used globally. The world fervently pays tribute to the innovations, arts and the role Arabic language has made in generating knowledge and thoughts, as well as promoting intercultural dialogue. This date has been chosen because it is the day that marks the historical decision taken by the UN General Assembly in 1973 making the Arabic language the sixth official language in the United Nations. On this occasion, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) availed itself of this opportunity to extend assurances of its highest consideration to Arabic Language native speakers worldwide who preserve a unique linguistic and cultural heritage as a symbol for diversity and inspiration. Commenting on this occasion, a bunch of writers and academic made special remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) about the role of Arabic language in supplying the global heritage with the treasures of innovation and creativity, along with its enduring contributions in poetry and art. They pointed out that Arabic language is memory of the Arab and Islamic nation, the repertoire of its heritage and the bridge that connects the past with the present. Speaking to QNA, Secretary-General of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding Dr. Hassan Al Naama affirmed that marking this day underscores the fact that UN pays tribute to the Arabic language and praises its profound contributions to nurturing human cultures throughout ages via producing masterpieces and augmenting the global heritage with the aesthetics of poetry and arts. The giving of Arabic language and the Islamic civilization to humanity throughout ages is well demonstrated in its interaction and dialogue with the peoples of countries and regions where they prevailed and started to take the heritage from these nations reciprocally and give them what they have, creating a new heritage of imagination and literature, he said. Dr. Al Naama underscored the significance of raising the awareness on the unique privilege of Arabic language and urging the generations, along with native speakers to pay tribute to Arabic language and protect its civilization with further production, innovation, in addition to keeping up with the evolution of human civilization in sciences and innovations and leveraging the technology and science. He indicated that the continuation and advancement of Arabic languages hinge upon its ability to interact with the age and persist with the process of giving and dedication. In remarks to QNA, Qatar University's. Arabic Language Prof Ali Ahmed Ali Al Kubaisi affirmed that Arabic language is the memory of the Arab and Islamic nation and its repertoire of heritage, as well as the bridge that connects the past with the present, pointing out that Arabic language is widely cherished in Qatar since it is the official language of the country in recognition of its significance and religious and historical privilege. He emphasized that such an interest in Arabic language is manifested in a four-pronged model used in the legislation, establishment of dictionaries, propagating the culture of debate and leveraging the technology to enhance linguistic research. The first model, he outlined, is the issuance of the law protecting the Arabic language, particularly the law No. 7 of 2019 which includes 15 articles which compel all public and private entities to protect Arabic language and support it in all venues. The articles, he added, also compel the use of Arabic language in a number of sectors and social spheres, with the second model representing the Doha Historical Dictionary of Arabic Language, a civilizational project that primarily aims to track the evolution of the meanings of Arabic language, along with its various uses through the historic context by dedicating a dictionary entry to all words that dictate the history of their first emergence, as well as the history of their structural and semantic transformations. He added that the dictionary, in question, opens wide opportunities for researchers and learners to deepen their awareness of knowledge and scientific heritage, in addition to offering numerous opportunities to renew the current knowledge and envisioning a promising future in research, education. Regarding the the third model, Al Kubaisi pointed out that QatarDebate Centre is a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and has distinct efforts in propagating the culture of debate in Arabic language at home and abroad. He said the fourth model represents the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) of HBKU and has distinct efforts in promoting the privilege of Arabic language in the age if information through conducting a plethora of research in Arabic language technologies.