Arabic language in danger, says Shaikh Nahyan

The UAE gives high priority to the Arabic language and has effective, crystal-clear policies based on solid foundations of the tolerance in Islam, and the UAE’s constitution, history, heritage and culture as well as socio-economic reality, Shaikh Nahyan said on Wednesday.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the opening session of the 2nd Arabic Language Conference in Dubai on Wednesday. “The empowerment of the language of the Holy Quran will boost the identity of our society and safeguard our history and culture,” Shaikh Mohammed tweeted later. — Wam

DUBAI - The UAE gives high priority to the Arabic language and has effective, crystal-clear policies based on solid foundations of the tolerance in Islam, and the UAE’s constitution, history, heritage and culture as well as socio-economic reality, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, said yesterday at the Second International Conference on Arabic Language held in Dubai.

“Our duty towards the language of the Holy Quran is to grant it the natural status it deserves in historic, social, cultural and educational spheres,” Shaikh Nahyan spoke at the conference that was held under the theme: “Arabic Language in Danger: All Are Partners in Protection”.

Courtesy: Youtube.com/Sheikhmohammed.ae

Commenting on the theme of the conference, Shaikh Nahyan said Arabic language is still a living one in our daily lives; from schools to mosques, media to businesses and laws.

Shaikh Nahyan noted that Arabic is still appealing to increasing numbers of non-Arabic learners at a time when more centres have been established across the world to teach and promote the language.

“The Arabic language is widely used but not up to the mark of expectations of enthusiasts and lovers. And here lies the motive behind saying “Arabic Language may be in danger’,” he said.

“The danger is not targeting the language as a means of learning, scientific research, translation or publishing; rather, as I see it, it lies with keeping the language away from its natural place in schools, government offices, banks, factories, media and advanced sciences and technology,” he remarked.

“The danger”, he went on to say, “lies with raising a new generation commanding foreign languages and neglecting their mother tongue.”

Shaikh Nahyan warned that globalisation is another threat to the Arabic language, citing the adverse impact of social networks on the language.

• UAE