UAE council to advise on Arabic and identity

An advisory council to promote the Arabic language will soon be set up after recently being approved by the Cabinet.

The council's objective will be to preserve the country's national identity by promoting Arabic through innovative methods.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Community Development, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, will be chairman of the new council for the next three years.

The body will suggest and discuss projects aimed at preserving the Arabic language, and coordinate with government and private bodies. It will submit a regular report on progress made.

Other members of the council will include: the head of the Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers at Zayed University, Dr Obaid Al Muhairi; the head of the curricula department at the Ministry of Education, Sheikha Kholoud Al Qasimi; and the assistant undersecretary for arts and culture at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Community Development, Bilal Al Budoor.

Last April, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and the Ruler of Dubai, launched initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Arabic.

They included an Arabic Language Charter and establishment of a committee to implement its principles.

newsdesk@thenational.ae