KUWAIT: The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Association for Arabic Language, organized a discussion session in celebration of World Arabic Language Day, observed annually on December 18.

The session, held at the Abdulaziz Hussein Cultural Center Library, was led by certified Arabic language trainer and member of the association, Mohamed Al-Fahad. Speakers included Dr Eid Al-Dhafiri, Vice President of the Kuwaiti Association for Arabic Language, and Ahmed Al-Harbi, Board Member and Head of the Cultural Committee.

In his speech, Al-Fahad emphasized the significance of celebrating World Arabic Language Day, given its pivotal role in preserving cultural identity and global civilizational heritage. He explained that Arabic is unique compared to other languages due to its ability to derive numerous words from a single root and its grammatical structure, where the endings of words change based on their position in a sentence. This, he added, contributes to the harmony and beauty of the language.

Al-Fahad further noted that Arabic is a poetic language that leaves a profound impact on the soul, and a miraculous language where many words, especially those in the Quran, cannot be accurately translated into other languages. He highlighted Arabic’s precision in expressing meanings clearly, as well as its distinction between masculine and feminine, a feature rare in many languages.

The Arabic language was recognized by the United Nations as a global official language in 1973, in recognition of its contributions to preserving human heritage, especially through Quranic texts, Arabic poetry, and speeches that have enriched the world’s legacy. Al-Fahad concluded by stressing that Arabic is not merely a tool for communication, but an integral part of the nation’s identity and culture, urging efforts to promote its status and raise awareness of its importance among younger generations.

In his remarks, Al-Dhafiri discussed the relationship between civilization and culture, emphasizing the significance of the Arabic language, which is mentioned in the Quran 11 times as a means of guidance. He outlined the features of Arab Islamic civilization and the main elements of the Arabic language’s cultural heritage, focusing on its ethical influence and elevated impact.

Al-Dhafiri also presented the characteristics of the Arabic language, such as its morphology, syntax, Arabic calligraphy, rhetoric, eloquence, and vocabulary, which make it rich and adaptable to different eras and cultures. He highlighted contemporary challenges facing the Arabic language and its education, suggesting solutions such as the establishment of an Arabic language academy, supporting Arabic scholars, organizing major language competitions, enacting laws to protect the language, and ensuring its use in institutions.

Al-Harbi, for his part, addressed the link between cultural identity and language, emphasizing how language influences identity and how they are interwoven. He discussed the role of language in shaping cultural heritage and the interconnectedness between language and heritage.

The Kuwaiti Association for Arabic Language, established on September 18, 2022, is a non-profit organization aimed at instilling pride in the Arabic language in young people, raising awareness about the importance of Arabic at both the official and societal levels, and encouraging public and private institutions to promote its use in communication, advertising, and education. The association also works to facilitate Arabic education for both native and non-native speakers, address foreign linguistic influences, and advocate for legislation to protect and promote the Arabic language in society. — KUNA