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His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani witnessed Monday morning the completion ceremony of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language in Katara Hall in the Fairmont and Raffles Hotels in Doha.  During the ceremony, a film was shown about the new electronic portal of the dictionary, which provides users with historical lexical material and reflects the dictionary's role in enhancing the Arabic language's digital presence and expanding the circles benefiting from it through modern and advanced means. **media[396416]**HH the Amir honoured the experts, researchers, and editors who worked to complete the dictionary project at various stages of its completion in appreciation of their scientific and research efforts, in addition to the great service provided to the Arabic language. **media[396415]**The ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies Ministers, representatives of regional and international organisations, heads of Arabic language academies, those interested in Arab culture, members of the Scientific Council of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, experts and researchers, and guests of the ceremony. 

As Qatar hosted the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) earlier this month, students from Qatar Foundation (QF) schools participated in the Arabic Language Day celebration held as part of the conference.The event, organised by Qatar’s Administrative Control and Transparency Authority with the participation of QF, underscored the Arabic language’s role as a bridge for human dialogue and a tool for cultural understanding, while highlighting the importance of investing in the language through education and empowering younger generations.Students presented a range of contributions, including poetry and formal speeches delivered in classical Arabic.These performances highlighted the beauty and flexibility of the Arabic language and its role in shaping awareness and identity. The celebration concluded with a group performance that showcased the richness of Arabic and the linguistic and artistic potential it holds, reflecting its depth and authenticity.**media[396552]**Speaking on the occasion, Azlaa al-Qahtani, head of Culture and Identity at QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE), said: “The participation of QF students in this international event reflects QF’s deep belief that empowering students begins with giving them genuine opportunities to express their identity and language in national and international forums.”She added that the event emphasised that Arabic is not merely a cultural element, but a fundamental pillar in building confident, aware individuals capable of dialogue and effective communication.Al-Qahtani further noted that the experience helped prepare students to represent Qatar with confidence by engaging them in formal and international settings that allow them to practice public speaking and dialogue before diverse audiences.“Standing on international platforms and speaking Arabic in a global context strengthens students’ awareness of their role as ambassadors of their identity and culture, and builds their confidence in representing their country with a strong command of language, balanced thinking, and a human-centred message,” she stated.She added that when students recognise their language’s ability to express universal human concepts such as peace, justice, and dignity, their sense of responsibility toward it grows. This, in turn, deepens their awareness of their role in building a balanced society that is open to the world while remaining firmly rooted in its identity.From an artistic perspective, Samer Hani Haddad, music arts teacher at Qatar Academy Sidra, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, said the arts, particularly music, play a central role in strengthening students’ linguistic and cultural identity.“The arts provide students with a creative space to express their sense of belonging. When students engage with the Arabic language through singing and musical performance, it becomes part of their personal experience rather than an academic subject. This reinforces their sense of pride and belonging and deepens their awareness of Arabic culture as a living and dynamic element,” he added. 

His Excellency President of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad affirmed that the Arabic language constitutes a fundamental pillar in promoting the values of integrity and transparency and safeguarding cultural identity, adding that ethical values are inseparable from language and culture.In a speech delivered during the celebration of World Arabic Language Day — held in conjunction with the State of Qatar’s hosting of the eleventh session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, His Excellency stated: "The Arabic language is not merely a means of communication; it is a vessel of culture, a repository of values, and a tool for enhancing societal awareness." He explained that "the precision of meaning and the elevated structures embodied in the Arabic language contribute to reinforcing the principles of truthfulness, trustworthiness, and accountability, and to protecting words from distortion and deviation, thereby supporting efforts to build more upright and transparent societies."He noted that the coincidence of World Arabic Language Day with Qatar National Day carries profound symbolism, underscoring the status of the language as a bridge for dialogue, a platform for culture, and a means of upholding human dignity. He said: "The concurrence of World Arabic Language Day with the National Day of the State of Qatar embodies deep symbolism that affirms the language’s role as a bridge for dialogue, a forum for culture, and an instrument for elevating human being and preserving dignity, as well as for renewing national and international commitment to combating corruption."In concluding his remarks, HE Al Misnad commended the efforts of the entities organizing the event, stressing the importance of continuing to strengthen the presence of the Arabic language across various fields, in a manner that contributes to consolidating ethical values and building sustainable societal awareness.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) organised Monday the second edition of the Arabic Language Forum for private schools and kindergartens. The forum is being organized this year with the slogan 'Arabic Language in Private Schools: Challenges and Opportunities,' with the participation of an elite of experts and researchers.Held under the patronage of Her Excellency Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, the two-day forum will give the participants the chance to discuss key themes related to curricula, teacher competencies, educational innovation, academic partnerships, and envisioning the future of the Arabic language in multilingual school environments.The forum activities include organizing development workshops that contribute to improving teaching and assessment methods in private schools, presented by specialized speakers from Arab and friendly countries, thus enriching this educational event. In his opening speech, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs at MoEHE Omar Abdulaziz al-Naama, expressed his happiness at participating in the forum opening, which brings together participants to enhance the status of the Arabic language in private schools.He expressed his belief that private schools are a strategic partner in the educational system, pointing out the ministry's keenness on global openness in them, as well as its commitment to ensuring that the Arabic language remains strongly present. The Arabic language is vessel of our identity, the symbol of our belonging, and the basic pillar in building the character of our children, he said, pointing out that, despite the challenges that we face in this field today, this forum confirms the determination to turn those into real opportunities.The forum aims to explore ways to present the Arabic language to pupils and students in a modern and attractive manner, while taking advantage of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), and exchanging successful experiences that make learning Arabic not only a school duty but also a passion, he added.Al-Naama concluded his speech by affirming that the goal of this forum is to build a generation that cherishes the language's heritage and keeps pace with the contemporary demands, in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), expressing his gratitude to the partners, especially Qatar University (QU), and those in charge of organizing the forum.For her part, Director of Private Schools and Kindergarten Department and Acting Director of the Private School Licensing Department at MoEHE Dr Rania Yousry Mohamed, said that the forum is being organized based on the recommendations of its first edition, in addition to the approaching World Arabic Language Day, which falls on Dec 18.As part of supporting efforts to develop Arabic education, she called for encouraging schools and relevant institutions to build AI-powered Arabic digital platforms and enabling teachers to use these tools in classrooms, stressing that AI remained a supportive tool and not a substitute for human interaction in the educational process.The Arabic language is more than a tool of communication; it embodies identity and carries the richness of thought and culture. As the language of the Qur'an, nurturing its study is both a moral and intellectual imperative, Dr Rania noted.During the forum, an announcement has been made on the formation of a team to develop the Arabic language in private schools in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, in a first step that will be followed by others that include all Arab countries, considering that the GCC countries are similar in terms of identity, culture, opportunities and challenges related to child education and teaching the Arabic language in private schools.The team aims to develop a joint strategic plan to develop the Arabic language education in the GCC counties' private schools, including general objectives and key success indicators, as well as to monitor the implementation of joint programs and initiatives and measure their impact on the quality of Arabic education and learning outcomes.The team's objectives also include strengthening coordination between the Ministries of Education in the GCC countries, exchanging best practices and enhancing students' linguistic and cultural identity. The team is expected to contribute to a qualitative shift in Arabic language education in private schools and kindergartens, through the development of joint coordination, the integration of educational policies and practices, the preparation of unified professional training programs, and the implementation of pioneering research projects, ultimately leading to the establishment of an advanced Gulf model for teaching Arabic that educational institutions in the Arab world can benefit from. 

The activities of the 11th edition of the Katara Arabic Novel Festival have continued for the sixth consecutive day.A discussion session on “The Novel Through Dark Lenses” was held Saturday, featuring writer Kholoud Hamad, the vice-chairperson of the Qatar Cultural Centre for the Blind, and moderated by Mohamed al-Shahwani, head of Katara’s Cultural Literature Department.The speaker stressed that “The Novel Through Dark Lenses” is not about the loss of sight but rather about another form of vision, since writing itself is the light that never goes out.Hamad discussed several key themes, beginning with an introduction to the world of the novel and the reasons we write it.She explained the differences between the novel, the short story, and the vignette, which lie in aspects such as length, time span, the number of characters, plot, language, and ending.Hamad then addressed the difference between the writing of a blind person and that of a sighted person, clarifying that it stems from a difference in perception rather than ability.She described how a blind writer reconstructs space using other senses such as sound, touch, smell, and time, in addition to the technological tools used for writing, including screen readers, Braille, and voice dictation.Hamad also explored how the absence of visual imagery affects language formation and narrative rhythm.She highlighted several Arab blind novelists and their experiences, including Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim from Iraq, author of The Beggars’ State (2014); Abdulhamid Younes from Egypt, known for his works in folklore and popular narrative; and Taha Hussein, the Egyptian pioneer whose novels The Days and The Call of the Curlew are regarded as foundational historical models.Hamad concluded that creativity does not require two eyes but rather a linguistic and human insight.She also spoke about the narrative code of writing “through dark lenses”.On another note, the Workshop on Young Adult Novels and Visual Arts concluded its activities at the Katara Library of Arabic Novels, Building 48.Khalid al-Muhannadi, the director of the Katara Library of Arabic Novels, distributed certificates of appreciation to the participants.The two-day workshop was led by trainer Ilham Mujahid al-Amri.Meanwhile, a puppet theatre performance titled The Novel in Puppet Theatre was held over two days in Hall 12.The performance was an adaptation of The Handkerchief Seller, the novel that won the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel in the Young Adult Fiction category, written by Egyptian novelist Ahmed Tosson.The script and dialogue were written by artist Qais al-Kanzari, with Fatima al-Shurooqi handling editing and musical recording.The play tells the story of a boy who leaves school and runs away from home to work in Cairo.Along the way, he meets a kind man who convinces him to return to his sick father and reminds him that his future lies in education.A seminar on “Heritage Narratives in the Arabic Novel” was held yesterday, featuring speakers Dr Youssef al-Idrisi, academic and critic, and Dr Ali Fathallah, academic and researcher.The session was moderated by journalist and novelist Mohamed Daho, who opened the discussion by emphasising that the Arabic novel, in all its forms and evolutions, has drawn from many sources that give Arabic storytelling its unique flavour, foremost among them being heritage.

The 11th edition of the Katara Festival for Arabic Novel continued Friday.The festival will continue until tomorrow, featuring seminars, discussion panels, and the launch of new publications.A seminar titled "The Novel and the Aesthetics of Translation" was held Friday, discussing the relationship between narrative creativity and linguistic and cultural context, and translation as a bridge between languages.Speaking at the seminar were novelist Mohamed Suleiman al-Shazly, translator Sameh Kroum, and translator Kholoud Amr, and it was moderated by Dr Hanaa al-Bawab.A dialogue session was held with writer Abdel Aziz al-Sayed about his novel *The Carnation Seller, moderated by journalist Mohamed Dahou.A seminar was also held on "The Novel: From Text to Reader: Marketing Mechanisms and the Horizon of Dissemination".Speakers were novelist Jalal Barjas, sales and marketing specialist Aya al-Zein, and digital marketing specialist Jibril Kahlout.The seminar addressed the writers’ relationship with their audience via social media, the role of literary awards in disseminating Arabic books, and the concept of digital marketing.Another seminar highlighted "The Novel and Television Drama in the Gulf: From Written Narration to Spoken Image".Speakers were writer Dr Marzouq Bashir, media personality Mirza al-Khuwailidi, director Rashid Malhas, and writer Mohammed al-Nashmi.The seminar was moderated by Dr Fahd al-Hindal.Meanwhile, the Katara Book Fair, held as part of the 11th Katara Novel Festival, witnessed the launch of the latest publications from some of the participating publishing houses.Katara Publishing House launched the book *Financial Oversight During Crises: A Reading of Lessons Learned from the Coronavirus Crisis" by Dr Salwa Hamed al-Mulla.The book addresses the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the challenges it has posed to the economy and productivity.Dar Rosa launched several of its recent publications, including *Coffee with a Little Fascism by Sheikh Nawaf bin Mubarak al-Thani, a book on digital photography by Abdullah al-Jassim, and *Fresh Thoughts by Jassim Abdulrahman al-Khouri.

The activities associated with the finals of the Akhlaq Award -- an international competition to revive Arabic calligraphy -- kicked off in Doha, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture.The competition is recognized as one of the leading cultural initiatives that celebrate the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of Arabic calligraphy, while promoting its presence in both local and international cultural spheres.Running over four days, the event features a series of lectures, cultural programmes, and panel discussions, with the participation of distinguished calligraphers, artists, and academics. The opening session, moderated by visual artist Kholoud al-Kuwari, spotlighted prominent local contributions to the development of calligraphy in Qatar.Qatari writer and researcher Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro shared his 25-year journey with Arabic calligraphy, emphasizing its deep-rooted role in Islamic and Arab identity. He highlighted how the transcription of the Holy Qur'an historically elevated the art form, as early calligraphers regarded their work as a spiritual act, writing the words of God.Fakhro noted that Qatar has recently placed strong emphasis on incorporating calligraphy into modern architecture, aligning with its national vision to preserve and promote Islamic and Arab cultural heritage. He cited Barwa Street and the Qatar National Library as landmark projects that reflect this approach.

Fifteen calligraphers from around the world are competing in the finals of the international competition for Arabic calligraphy, the 'Ethics Award', organised by the Ministry of Culture, being held from September 1-8 in Doha. The finalists, selected from among more than 250 participants, will face a sophisticated artistic challenge for prizes totaling nearly half a million Qatari riyals.This event at the Rosewood Hotel in Doha, reflects the Ministry of Culture's vision of promoting Arab and Islamic arts and highlighting the aesthetic and ethical values of Arabic calligraphy.A group of leading calligraphers and experts are to oversee the judging process, ensuring evaluation according to the highest artistic standards. The competitions are accompanied by a diverse programme that includes specialized seminars and interactive workshops, allowing attendees to explore the various international art schools in this field.This enriches Arabic calligraphers, introduces them to the most prominent trends in the local cultural scene, and opens up broader horizons for communication between creative artists. The event is to conclude with a grand ceremony held in the theatre of the new Ministry of Culture building, during which the winners will be honoured and their creations showcased to the public. This celebration reflects the status of Arabic calligraphy in the hearts of generations and emphasizes its role as one of the most important components of the cultural and artistic identity of the Arab and Islamic nation.