Initiatives promote dialogue, spoken Arabic through school-based cultural programs
JEDDAH: Dr Eid Al-Dhafeeri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwaiti Association for the Arabic Language, affirmed on Wednesday Kuwait’s keenness to benefit from modern educational experiences, particularly in the teaching and promotion of the Arabic language. His remarks came during a scientific session held as part of a celebration organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on the occasion of World Arabic Language Day.
Al-Dhafeeri said Kuwait closely monitors educational practices adopted by countries with advanced education systems, while ensuring that such experiences are adapted to local societal characteristics and the country’s rich Arabic linguistic heritage. He noted that Arabic remains a core subject across all educational stages in Kuwait, underscoring the state’s commitment to providing highly qualified teachers with strong academic and pedagogical expertise.
He referred to a set of measures aimed at raising the standard of the Arabic language, which are included in Kuwait’s initial strategy for educational development. These measures include encouraging reading among students at all levels, organizing annual free reading competitions titled “Reading for Life,” and promoting dialogue and spoken Arabic through school-based cultural programs under the theme “Master Your Language.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the King Salman Complex celebrate World Arabic Language Day with Kuwaiti participation.- KUNA photos
Kuwaiti delegation
The strategy also focuses on enhancing students’ interest in proper writing skills through the establishment of associations and groups dedicated to Arabic calligraphy. Al-Dhafeeri stressed Kuwait’s firm commitment to empowering the Arabic language, noting that this is reflected in a number of regulatory decisions issued to strengthen its use across society. He explained that several regulations covering sectors such as agriculture, health, the judiciary and commerce stipulate the use of Arabic and emphasize its importance in serving the community.
The OIC celebration, held in cooperation with the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, saw wide participation, including the Kuwaiti Association for the Arabic Language. OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Jerusalem Affairs, Ambassador Samir Bakr, said in his address that celebrating World Arabic Language Day in partnership with the Academy reflects the openness of the OIC General Secretariat to all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia and member states seeking to enhance the status of the Arabic language.
Bakr noted that cooperation between the OIC General Secretariat and the Academy has resulted in dozens of specialized training courses for non-Arabic speakers, which have achieved strong participation and success, in addition to organizing three joint celebrations at the General Secretariat headquarters. He stressed that the institutional framework of the celebration is crucial to establishing practical cooperation with specialized entities, particularly in capacity building and training for beneficiaries from member states.
In a similar address, Dr Ibrahim Abnami, Deputy Secretary-General of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, said cooperation with the OIC has led to a series of initiatives, including scientific seminars and training programs benefiting teachers and students across member states. He added that the partnership has expanded into knowledge and research fields, producing studies that monitor the linguistic landscape in OIC countries, and represents a key pillar in supporting linguistic initiatives, developing educational policies and strengthening the presence of Arabic.
Kuwait participated in the celebration with a delegation comprising Dr Eid Al-Dhafeeri; Ahmed Al-Harbi, Vice Chairman of the Kuwaiti Association for the Arabic Language; and Reham Al-Fawzan from the Department of External Cultural Relations at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). Also attending were Yousef Al-Tunaib, Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Jeddah and Permanent Representative to the OIC, and Turki Al-Daihani, Deputy Permanent Representative and advisor at the Kuwaiti Mission to the OIC. The Kuwaiti Association for the Arabic Language was established in 2022 as a public benefit organization specializing in Arabic language affairs. Its mission is to instill pride in the Arabic language, raise linguistic awareness and encourage scientific research and specialized studies.
The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language works to develop methods for advancing and consolidating Arabic, reviving its heritage, publishing specialized works, issuing dictionaries and periodic reports on the state of the language, and approving and disseminating linguistic terminology. World Arabic Language Day is observed annually on December 18, marking the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s 1973 decision to adopt Arabic as the sixth official language of the UN, in an effort to promote cultural and linguistic diversity worldwide. — KUNA
