Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, on Tuesday told the Federal National Council action plans will be implemented to establish the UAE as a global hub for Arabic language.
Shaikh Nahyan agreed to recommendations presented by the House to protect the Arabic language from foreign influences — particularly from the increasing prevalence of English in both public and private spheres of use, according to a report by the education committee at the House.
A report by the education committee at the House suggested combining efforts and initiatives for protection of the Arabic language across the country and implement these initiatives in a set time-frame.
Concerned over the lack of use of Arabic and students’ poor skills in the language, FNC members demanded that a law be enacted to mandate the use Arabic language in federal, local and private workplaces and in some other contexts.
Shaikh Nahyan vowed a law to protect the Arabic language will be enacted and all other recommendations, especially concerning development of Arabic language curriculums and teaching methods, will be implemented.
Shaikh Nahyan, who chairs the Arabic Language Advisory Council responsible for supporting efforts to implement the initiatives made in the Arabic Language Charter, said efforts will be made to achieve a comprehensive change in these methods in public and private schools to enhance the standing of Arabic as a language of culture, science and civilisation.
In 2012, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced wide-ranging initiatives to promote the use of Arabic, including the setting up of an Arabic Language Charter and the formation of an international committee of experts to promote Arabic as the language of science and technology.
He said that an advisory council, headed by the Minister of Culture, will implement the new Arabic Language Charter. The objective of the charter is to protect the essence of the language and enhance its use.
Other initiatives announced by Shaikh Mohammad include the setting up of a dedicated educational facility at Zayed University to promote Arabic education for non-Arabic speakers, and establishing a faculty of translation at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Media College.
The international committee of experts to revive Arabic as the language of science and technology is headed by Dr Farouk Al Baz. The committee recommends strategies to modernise methods for learning the Arabic language, that will benefit people across the Arab world.
Shaikh Nahyan stressed his support for all individual and joint initiatives aiming to spread and empower the Arabic language in UAE society.
In 2008, the government took a decision to use Arabic as the official language in all federal authorities.
Shaikh Nahyan allayed concerns of the FNC members over diminishing use of the Arabic language and said the national identity is integrally linked to the Arabic language, which serves as an effective medium to express the nation’s values, culture and heritage.
Shaikh Nahyan stressed promoting the language will enable future generations to connect with their roots, society and values more effectively.
“A focus on nurturing the language is important to uphold the Emirati national identity for future generations in line with the UAE Vision 2021 that aims at all-round development while promoting national identity and cultural cohesiveness,” Shaikh Nahyan said.