The celebration of the Islamic World
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its
proceedings, following deliberations and presentations on the future of the
Arabic language. High-profile participation marked the celebration, which
lasted for more than four hours.
H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud honored the celebration with his attendance and delivered the
opening address. H.E. Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius;
Mr. Aboubakar Siddick Choroma, Minister of National Education and Civic
Promotion of Chad; and Dr. Ali Mohamed Shumo, Former Minister of Culture and
Information of Sudan, also took part in the opening ceremony.
ICESCO held the major celebration in
observance of the World Arabic Language Day, yesterday, December 21, via
videoconferencing. The Organization cooperated with King Abdulaziz University
in Saudi Arabia, the Cultural Attaché Office at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Rabat,
the Regional UNESCO Office in Rabat, and Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco.
H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud gave the opening address, as the Conference’s most revered guest.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG) then moderated the opening
session, during which he read a poem he authored, titled “The Richness of
Arabic.” The opening session also featured the addresses of H.E. Prof. Ameenah
Gurib-Fakim, who highlighted the great value of the Arabic Language within and
beyond its social circles, calling for rethinking our approach to languages in
general, as many are on the verge of extinction and taking away cultural
treasures with them.
Mr. Aboubakar Siddick Choroma,
Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion of Chad called for using the
modern digital revolution in the field of Arabic teaching. Ms. Angela Melo then
gave the address on behalf of the UNESCO DG, who underscored that protecting
languages is a shared responsibility. Dr. Ali Mohamed Shumo stated that
millions of Muslims speak Arabic, given that it is the language of the Holy
Quran and the Sunnah.
The conference, held under the theme
“Arabic Language: Foresight in a Changing World,” featured five working
sessions. Dr. Abdulah Al-Ubaid, Honorary President of ICESCO Center of Arabic for non-Arabic
Speakers, moderated the first session on the future roles of academic
institutions in promoting Arabic.
Dr. Yussra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi,
Cultural Attaché of Saudi Arabia in Rabat, moderated the second session on the
future of the Arabic language in educational systems. Dr. Abdulilah Benarafa,
Cultural Advisor to ICESCO DG, moderated the third session that focused on the
opportunities of the Arabic language in the era of the fourth industrial
revolution. Mr. Adil Bouraoui, Advisor to ICESCO DG for Arabic Language Centers
Abroad and Academic Chairs, moderated the fourth session, which discussed the
topic of digital applications in aid of the Arabic language. Dr. Majdi bin
Hajji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO Center of Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers, chaired
the fifth session, which focused on the topic of “Arabic language academies: an
absolute necessity.”
At the close of the ceremony, ICESCO
DG expressed his thanks and appreciation to the guests of honor, all
participants, and cooperating institutions for accepting ICESCO’s invitation,
reaffirming that the Organization undertakes to give all proposals,
recommendations, and visions set forth during the Conference the due attention
they deserve.