Sharjah Ruler attends Third SICALE Closing Ceremony

The conference, organised by the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, featured 24 researchers and academics from 19 European countries and took place at the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre.

 

In his address, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the conference participants, noting that he had followed the proceedings on the first day and witnessed the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation among those who love the Arabic language, regardless of their nationalities and languages. He affirmed his firm belief that the Arabic language remains alive in hearts and minds, extending from Europe to Asia and Africa.

 

 

His Highness addressed the conference participants, saying, “This conference has brought you together under one banner: Humanity Unites Us and Arabic Unites Us. The sessions have served as a platform for exchanging experiences, learning about Arabic language teaching methodologies for non-native speakers, discussing its current status in European universities, and reviewing the efforts being made to disseminate and develop its teaching methods.”

 

His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, added, “Your distinguished presence from more than 20 European countries is a testament to the vitality of the Arabic language and its promising future, given the noble and humanistic values it embodies, which unite nations and peoples. We thank you for your sincere efforts and valuable contributions, and we hope that the outcomes of this conference will be a genuine contribution to the teaching of Arabic in your universities and enhance its standing in the world.”

 

His Highness concluded by noting that cooperation between the Emirate of Sharjah and Arabic language institutions in various countries around the world is an established fact. He affirmed the continuation of this cooperation to serve the Arabic language and support its institutions, projects, and those working on them in different countries, as Sharjah is considered a key partner in this system.

 

 

The second day of the conference began with a speech by Dr Mohamed Safi Al Mosteghanemi, Secretary-General of Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, who expressed his great pleasure at this gathering. He addressed the participants who had come from all corners of the world to Sharjah, driven by their passion for the Arabic language, its study, and its teaching.

 

Al Mosteghanemi commended the participants for their efforts and their choice of learning Arabic as a second language, and for choosing Sharjah as a destination to enhance their knowledge of it. He emphasised his commitment to supporting all those working for the benefit and service of the language, noting that Arabic unites hearts. He expressed his hope that the conference would yield positive results that would benefit those working on the Arabic language in various countries around the world.

 

The Secretary-General concluded his remarks by expressing his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness, the Supreme President of the Academy, for his generous support and efforts, which have made Sharjah a hub for the Arabic language and those interested in it.

 

 

Dr Irina Lebedeva, professor at Moscow State University, delivered the conference's guest address, praising the Emirate of Sharjah as the capital of culture and books, and its contributions to those interested in and passionate about this field. She highlighted the conference's key themes and their positive impact on participants in their respective countries across Europe.

 

Lebedeva commended the Arabic language and its role in fostering understanding and diversity among cultures. She emphasised the interest and support Arabic enjoys from many people worldwide, including His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. She noted that this interest and support reflect the prestigious position Arabic has attained, and expressed her hope that the conference's efforts would contribute to the advancement of the language.

 

 

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah then viewed a film showcasing the achievements of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy and the Emirate's efforts in establishing the Academy and completing major linguistic projects, such as the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language. The film also highlighted the resources, personnel, and researchers provided, as well as the Academy's key initiatives and agreements with strategic partners, and its publications addressing language issues and related sciences.

 

 

Dr Sebastian Günther, professor at the University of Göttingen in Germany, presented a paper titled "Text Before Theory? Studying Classical Arabic Literature in European University Halls (and Beyond)." He noted that the conference was an opportunity for intellectual exchange that contributes to fostering understanding between Europe and the Arab world, and to supporting Arabic language education and the study of Islamic civilisation. He stated, "Classical Arabic literature, spanning from the pre-Islamic era to the Abbasid era and beyond to the 15th century CE, remains one of humanity's greatest cultural achievements. It speaks to the contemporary reader in a language that is still vibrant and alive. It is a literature that combines beauty, knowledge, and virtue, and expresses a civilisation that made rhetoric an art of thought and language a means of reflection and refinement."

 

During his presentation, Günter addressed the concept of literature at the heart of heritage, which he defined as the refinement of the mind, soul, and taste. He clarified that literature is not limited to poetry and narrative, but also encompasses philosophy, history, and the sciences when expressed in beautiful language and with a moral purpose. He further discussed the term "classical," which he described as a description of an authentic historical experience and a standard of beauty and excellence. He noted that the Classical era, spanning from the 6th to the 13th centuries CE, represented the pinnacle of Arab creativity in science, thought, and art.

 

Günter explained that teaching classical Arabic literature in European universities today presents both opportunities and challenges. Many students read it in translation or within a Western theoretical framework. He added that it is preferable to listen to the Arabic text in its own language and spirit before subjecting it to theories. The principle of "text before theory" is based on a careful reading of the text itself—its rhythm and imagery—before external analysis. Theory aids understanding, but the Arabic text is the primary teacher, defining itself without intermediaries.

 

 

The third edition of the conference aimes to highlight the origins of European languages and their relationship to Arabic, revealing the linguistic, social, and human heritage of nations, focusing on translation methodologies and methods of communication between civilisations, in addition to studying examples of European literature influenced by Arabic literature and its impact on the spread of Arabic. It also addressed the importance of utilising human resources and research skills to serve Arabic in Europe, while drawing attention to the Arabic and Islamic manuscripts hidden away in the archives of old European libraries.

 

 

The participating researchers and academics presented 24 studies addressing the conference's main themes: the migration of Arabic words into other languages, methodologies for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, the translation of Arabic literature and its impact on the language's dissemination, and the critical edition of Arab and Islamic heritage.

 

In addition to His Highness, the conference was attended by: Jamal Salem Al Tarifi, President of Al Qasimia University (AQU); Dr Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, Head of the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality; Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA); and a number of senior officials and conference participants.