Latest news with #ArabicLanguage
Web Release
3 hours ago
- General
- Web Release
AUB Press Hosts Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair: 'The Arabic Language: Its History, Present, and Future'
As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, AUB Press hosted a discussion titled 'The Arabic language: Its History, Present, and Future' featuring renowned Arabic Language professor Ramzi Baalbaki in conversation with Malek Chaker and Amina Sleiman. The event was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair and organized in collaboration with the Center for Arts and Humanities at the American University of Beirut (AUB). The discussion touched upon various topics related to the Arabic language. Baalbaki spoke about the history of Arabic and its emergence before the revelation of the Qur'an, highlighting its presence in Arabic poetry and popular proverbs (ahadith). He explained how, by the time of the Qur'an's revelation, the Arabic corpus had become rich and well-established, with its collection largely ceasing by the end of the second Hijri century. Linguists then engaged with this corpus, bringing to light its morphological and syntactic features—particularly its patterns (awz?n). In this context, Baalbaki pointed out the distinctive differences that set Arabic apart from its sister Semitic languages as well as from foreign languages. Baalbaki also spoke about his new book Mukawimat al-Nazariyah al-Lughawwiya al-Arabiyya, in which he demonstrated the coherence of the linguistic theory and the comprehensiveness of its components. This, he argued, highlights the uniqueness of the Arabic language and the elements of wisdom embedded in its structures and morphological patterns. He compared this theory with scientific theories—specifically, the theory of dimensions in physics—to affirm the validity of the linguistic framework established by early grammarians. Through this, they provided explanations for every structure, and thus the term ghar?b (the obscure or unusual) in the language emerged. The discussion also touched on the relationship between Classical Arabic and the various colloquial dialects. Baalbaki emphasized the strong connection between them, refuting any notion of conflict or hostility, as each borrows certain words and structures from the other. The conversation addressed the current state of the Arabic language and its place among its native speakers. Baalbaki pointed to the number of Arabic speakers and the language's presence on social media, expressing concern over the weakening use of Arabic among its speakers and their tendency to resort to foreign languages to express their ideas. Therefore, he offered some advice on how to preserve the language—especially within academia. The event was attended by political and social figures, as well as a number of linguists and scholars of the humanities from various Arab countries. The discussion was rich and full of insights that inspire a love for the Arabic language and reveal the depths of its genius and its ability to convey meaning with remarkable precision through carefully chosen words. It also showcased a range of syntactic structures that are unique to Arabic. Visit AUB Press on YouTube to watch the full discussion.
Khaleej Times
09-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi mandates 4 hours of weekly Arabic lessons for KG students in private schools
Abu Dhabi's education authority on Monday announced a new policy requiring kindergartens in private and educational partnership schools to allocate 240 minutes (four hours) per week for Arabic language instruction. This directive will start from the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirmed. The directive applies to all early childhood education levels — from pre-kindergarten (first foundation stage) to second kindergarten (first year). The weekly Arabic instruction time will further increase to 300 minutes (five hours) starting in the 2026–2027 school year. According to Adek, the initiative aims to strengthen Arabic language skills among young learners while fostering cultural identity and a sense of belonging from the earliest years of education. The move is part of broader efforts to enhance language acquisition and preserve national heritage through early and consistent exposure to Arabic during formative learning stages.
Arab News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman discusses work exploring linguistic architectural landscapes
DUBAI: In the Bawwaba section of the most recent edition of Art Dubai, Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman's installation 'Manifesto: Language & the City II' presented photographs and numerous illuminated signs and symbols in Arabic against two black walls, reflecting the urban signage one may find in Riyadh. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The installation was an evolution of a series that includes 2021's 'Manifesto: the Language and the City,' a multimedia installation exploring the linguistic and architectural landscape of Riyadh for the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which went on to be included in the Lyon Biennale in 2022, and 'Fantasy Land,' which Al-Othman created for the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival in 2021 — a neon wall installation exploring themes of human experience and the shifts between reality and illusion. 'Language & the City II' pulsed with light and color and the expressive characters of the Arabic language made the viewer feel as if they were indeed on a bustling street in the Saudi capital. 'Language is akin to history — it's very deep,' Al-Othman tells Arab News. 'Through my research I realized how language is like a brand for a culture — it references history and people. I study the language that we find in cities. The documentation of language affects the architectural style in an urban environment and the relationship between people and their environment.' 'Language & the City II' was made from a variety of materials, predominantly neon signage, lightboxes and wooden advertising signs that were once hung in the streets of Riyadh. Al-Othman's installation brought them together to create a portrait of the city through its typographic, visual and architectural styles. Riyadh's identity, explains Al-Othman, is revealed through the language, style and vibrant colors of these lit symbols, offering a collective memory of a city in the throes of change. As an artist and a poet, language has always played an important role in Al-Othman's life. While he began as a writer, he arrived at a point where he could no longer fully express himself with words and turned to art, creating works that incorporate sound, found objects, sculpture, film and performance. In 2017's 'Suspended Al-Balad,' for the 21,39, contemporary art festival, Al-Othman wrapped an entire building in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district, originally used as a shelter for widows and divorced women, with tin foil. Al Othman's intuitive approach to art creation leads him to organically move between and incorporate different mediums. Light is a significant element in his work, whether bouncing off tin foil or shining in neon to reflect the everyday urban environment of Riyadh. 'I want to create journeys for people to discover the importance of language,' says Al-Othman. 'Language is a deeply important part of being human.' Today Al-Othman continues to expand his research and art creation. He has recently published a book on his research supported by The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Saudi Cultural Development Fund. Presently he is creating sculptures out of various Arabic words from made from different materials for his latest project, 'Engineering the Incomplete.' 'In my artistic practice, I engage with language as an open field for analysis and reconstruction,' he writes in his statement for the new project. 'I begin from moments of absence — from missing letters and fractured words — treating them as signals of the fragility inherent in the symbolic systems we rely on to make sense of the world. 'Failure to achieve perfection becomes an essential part of creation, not a flaw to be corrected,' he continues. 'Incompleteness is not simply a void, but an active component that generates new, open-ended meanings. Each missing letter, each visual gap, forms an alternative path of reading and invites the viewer to reshape their relationship with language and the urban environment.' 'Engineering the Incomplete' uses the structure of the letter as an entity capable of both disintegration and destruction and therefore the resulting text as something that is unstable and constantly changing. 'My practice transforms language from a tool of communication into a material and temporal organism caught in the tension between structure and collapse,' Al-Othman adds. 'Through material techniques that draw from urban elements and the reconfiguration of textual spaces, my work seeks to highlight the continuous tension between the desire for expression and the inherent limits of linguistic possibilities.' Al-Othman says that 'Engineering the Incomplete' is not an attempt to restore what is lost, but an invitation to read absence, or lacking, as another form of presence and a new beginning. Incompleteness, he emphasizes, offers 'a way to produce new meaning and vision.'
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM Stalin pays tributes to mortal remains of Chief Kazi to Tamil Nadu government
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid tributes to the mortal remains of the Chief Kazi to the Tamil Nadu government, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub, at his residence in Chennai on Sunday (May 25, 2025). Ayub passed away in the city late on Saturday (May 24) due to age-related illness. He was 84. According to sources, he had a vast knowledge of Islamic teachings. He also holds a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Kazi, he was a professor of Arabic at New College in Chennai. Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, DMK MP T.R. Baalu, Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation Limited chairperson Thuraimugam Khaja, Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission vice-chairperson Iraianban Khuddus were among those who paid tributes. Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam condoled the death of the Government Chief Kazi. In a social media post, Mr. Panneerselvam extended his condolences to Muslims.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chief Kazi to T.N. govt. Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub passes away at 84
The Chief Kazi to the Tamil Nadu government, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub, passed away here late on Saturday due to age-related illness. He was 84. According to sources, he had a vast knowledge of Islamic teachings. He also holds a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Kazi, he was a professor of Arabic at New College in Chennai. In a condolence message, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said he was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub. Recollecting his association with the Chief Kazi, Mr. Stalin said he was a respected scholar and will always be remembered for his contributions to the community's welfare. 'He always showed affection towards me ever since I was an MLA from the Thousand Lights constituency. Even during his illness, he remained committed to attending 'Iftar' events that I took part in. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community,' he added. In his condolence message, the Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali recollected his family's association with the Chief Kazi, and said he was a great scholar and a humble man. In a post on X, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai extended condolences to his family members and Muslims. In a press release, Nusrat Ali Khan, secretary, Shia Sunni Unity Movement India, offered condolences to his family and the entire Muslim community. 'He was an epitome of unity and perfect example among Muslim community. His services to the nation will be appreciated forever,' Mr. Khan said. His last rituals will be conducted at Triplicane Big Mosque, known as Wallajah Mosque, at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
