The Ruler of Sharjah has issued a rallying cry to the "protectors and guards" of the Arabic language to dedicate themselves to ensuring it remains relevant for generations to come.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi said the Arab world was "pinning its hopes" on researchers and specialists to help safeguard the native tongue of millions of people across the Middle East.
The UAE royal's powerful message was delivered on his behalf by Dr Issa Saleh Al Hammadi, director of the Educational Centre for the Arabic Language of the Gulf States in Sharjah, during the Arabic Language Conference in Africa.
"The prestige of the Arabic language requires us and all who care to look at its contemporary issues and to examine its affairs and conditions," said Sheikh Dr Sultan at the event in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott.
"We pin our hopes on you, as Arabs, protectors and guards of the Arabic Language, to study its affairs and put practical programmes and projects for the generations that may facilitate use, employment and speaking of the language."
Sheikh Dr Sultan said the Arabic language had deep roots in African life and had continued to thrive in challenging times.
"In spite of the difficult circumstances experienced by many African countries in the last two centuries due to the diverse Western colonialism, which tried hard to undermine the pillars of the Arabic language and ignore and disregard it, this unique language has remained standing, and continued to live, and survive instead of disappearing and vanishing, because the means of its preservation are inherent in it, where all the elements of survival, life, development and continuity exist."
We spare no effort to always serve this great language
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi
Dr Sheikh Sultan aid concerted efforts were being made to encourage the use of the Arabic language.
"Our interest in the historical dictionary of the Arabic language is still the pivot of our projects under the supervision of language academies. We have established poetry houses in several Arab capitals and cities. We spare no effort to always serve this great language, which God has honoured us with as the language of the Holy Quran."
The conference, which concluded on Saturday, was attended by a number of representatives of Arabic language academies in Arab and African countries.
Sheikh Dr Sultan's call comes as efforts continue in the UAE to ensure Arabic remains at the heart of teaching in the country.
In July, Hussain Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education, urged pupils and parents to have their say about how teaching could be more dynamic.
Last year, a new study was launched to assess the Arabic language and gauge how effectively it was being taught.
“This objective is not limited to a specific school, it involves all public and private schools,” said Mr Al Hammadi.
“We look forward to the contribution of the community in this development, and we would like to know the public’s opinion on education levels in all schools without exceptions.”
In January, it was revealed that private schools across the country would be launching a new Arabic digital teaching programme to tackle the issue.
The scheme, due to be brought into force this month, will use mobile apps as part of efforts to revive interest in learning the language.
Noura Al Kaabi, the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said the government was making progress.
“The UAE will work hard to promote the status of the Arabic Language among other living languages of the world,” she said.