Sharjah24: Dr Saeed Obaid Al Tunaji, Chairman of the Board of the Arabic Language Protection Society, presided over the second board meeting of 2025, which took place at the society’s headquarters in Sharjah on Monday evening with the attendance of all board members.
The meeting formed part of the society’s continuous efforts to enhance its tools and initiatives aimed at promoting the Arabic language across both the Emirati and Arab cultural landscapes. Several key issues were discussed during the session, leading to carefully considered decisions that will improve institutional performance and broaden the scope of the society’s educational and cultural programmes. These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategic plan designed to strengthen the society’s role within the community and reinforce its mission of protecting and nurturing the Arabic language across generations.
Focus on content development and outreach
One of the major agenda items was the review and proposed revamp of the society’s monthly publication, Al-Arabiya Magazine. The board stressed the importance of offering a more engaging and updated content approach that resonates with diverse age groups and cultural backgrounds. Discussions included redesigning the magazine’s format and content to better reflect the society’s cultural vision and to position the magazine as a model for serious linguistic publications in today’s cultural media space.
The board also discussed enhancements to the "Arabic Poetry Memorisation Competition", one of the society’s signature initiatives designed to inspire children and young people to memorise and appreciate classical Arabic poetry. The goal is to deepen their connection to the national cultural identity. Plans were reviewed to improve the judging and evaluation criteria to ensure transparency and attract a wider audience of talented participants from across the UAE.
Raising standards and building partnerships
In the context of raising the quality of its initiatives, the board also addressed the society’s policies regarding the organisation of public events and programmes. A new set of criteria was approved, requiring all participants and partner entities to adhere to high standards of content quality, clarity of purpose, and linguistic authenticity. The board sees this step as crucial to ensuring consistency across all activities and maintaining the credibility of the society’s mission.
The meeting further explored ways to diversify funding sources and develop strategic partnerships with cultural, educational, and community-based institutions, as well as the private sector. These partnerships aim to support the society’s workshops, training sessions, and community-driven initiatives throughout the year. The members emphasised the need for such cooperation to serve the Arabic language as a pillar of national identity and as a tool for intercultural dialogue.
Reinforcing national identity through language
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr Al Tunaji reaffirmed the society’s dedication to consolidating the efforts of its members and advancing impactful initiatives with clear societal value. He highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Arabic language’s place in educational and cultural settings, in line with the society’s vision to protect and promote the language.
He noted that these progressive steps reflect the society’s commitment to addressing the modern challenges facing the Arabic language and expanding its presence in school curricula, media platforms, and the public domain—aligned with the UAE’s broader vision of preserving its linguistic and cultural heritage.
For an optimal experience, please
