KUWAIT: Kuwait on Thursday joined countries around the world in marking Arabic Language Day, celebrating a language spoken by nearly 450 million people and ranked among the five most widely spoken languages globally. This year’s observance is held under the theme “Innovative Pathways for the Arabic Language: Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future,” highlighting the role of education, media and technology in making Arabic more accessible, dynamic and inclusive, while promoting linguistic equity. Through this theme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) underscored the importance of innovation and inclusiveness in shaping a vibrant future for the Arabic language.
UNESCO hopes the focus on innovation will contribute to the scientific and cultural renaissance surrounding Arabic, as well as the continued development of its grammatical and linguistic frameworks. Arabic Language Day is celebrated annually on December 18, marking the date in 1973 when the UN General Assembly adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the United Nations, in recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity worldwide.
On this occasion, local, regional and international institutions organize a range of activities aimed at teaching Arabic, encouraging reading and instilling a love for the language among younger generations. Kuwait has played a notable role in supporting the Arabic language through both government and private institutions, particularly as the Kuwaiti Constitution designates Arabic as the official language of the country. Over the past seven decades, Kuwait has consistently supported scientific and academic institutions in their efforts to teach, promote and strengthen the use of Arabic.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University, Dr Abdulmohsen Al-Tabtabaei, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the day is an opportunity to celebrate a language that accompanies people in every aspect of their lives. Describing Arabic as “the tongue of our identity, the soul of our culture and the vessel of our daily thought,” he said the occasion is not the beginning or end of interest in the language, but a reminder of its living presence in speech, writing and collective consciousness. He explained that the day aims to instill a sense of responsibility toward Arabic and motivate institutions and individuals to highlight its beauty and expressive power, while reaffirming its cultural and intellectual role. Arabic, he stressed, is not seasonal, but deeply rooted in all aspects of life.
Dr Al-Tabtabaei noted that Kuwait University supports Arabic throughout the year by organizing cultural events, encouraging research in Arabic and hosting activities that strengthen its presence among students. He said the university marks the occasion through lectures, seminars, training workshops, book exhibitions and competitions in oratory, writing and literary creativity, ensuring that such efforts remain part of daily academic practice rather than a once-a-year event. He called on academics to keep Arabic vibrant in students’ lives by offering engaging content, strengthening writing and communication skills, encouraging research and innovation in Arabic, and supporting activities that showcase the language’s beauty and accessibility.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdullah Al-Harbi, Professor of Arabic Language at the Arab Open University in Kuwait, expressed pride in Arabic, describing it as a language that built a great civilization and contributed to the advancement of science and literature, while retaining its enduring ability to renew and inspire. He said Arabic Language Day serves as an important reminder that Arabic is not merely a means of communication, but a symbol of identity and belonging, as well as a rich cultural and civilizational asset. He noted that Kuwait’s contributions to supporting Arabic include scientific seminars and annual student competitions, while media and public activities play a particularly influential role in bringing the language closer to people and presenting it in modern, appealing ways.
Dr Al-Harbi highlighted Kuwait’s distinguished record in supporting Arabic through knowledge dissemination, translation efforts and the preservation of linguistic heritage, including the publication of major reference works such as Taj Al-Arous, support for academic and cultural linguistic projects, and pioneering initiatives in language technology. He called for wider celebrations of the day in schools and universities, along with cultural events and awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of promoting reading aloud as a key to eloquence, self-confidence and the development of sound linguistic awareness and language skills. – KUNA
