The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched the “Empower with Arabic” (Tamakkan bil-Arabiya) project on 19 June 2025 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, targeting the enhancement of Arabic language proficiency among non-Arabic-speaking students enrolled in traditional Islamic schools (mahadras).

The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and funded by the Hamdan bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences.

The project aims to equip 100 non-Arabic-speaking mahadra students with Arabic language skills through an intensive one-month training course. It also includes a workshop to strengthen the capacity of local instructors in modern pedagogical methods for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, alongside the development of an innovative instructional manual based on the unique traditions of mahadras.

Representing ICESCO at the launch, Dr. Adham Muhammad Ali Hamawiya, expert at the ICESCO Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, delivered an opening address highlighting the distinguished legacy of Mauritanian mahadras and their scholarly, educational, and ethical contributions. Dr. Hamawiya emphasized that the “Empower with Arabic” project constitutes a significant addition to ICESCO’s initiatives aimed at promoting the global stature of the Arabic language and stands as a milestone within the activities of the Center.

Moreover, Dr. Hamawiya stressed that enabling non-Arabic speakers to acquire Arabic—particularly in religious and academic contexts—requires specialized, learner-centered pedagogical approaches that respect cultural backgrounds, leverage intellectual heritage, and integrate tradition with innovation. This approach seeks to develop a generation proficient in the Quran, Hadith, and classical heritage, while being open to contemporary challenges, fully aligned with ICESCO’s vision, mission, and fields of expertise.