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Launch of the “Language Security, Arab Security” Initiative to Address Challenges Facing the Arabic Language
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The Centre Reveals its Future Vision for Promoting Research on Key Regional Issues
The Al Habtoor Research Centre (AHRC) celebrated its first anniversary with a special event held in Cairo, Egypt, attended by prominent intellectuals, cultural figures, government officials, leading media professionals, and experts from Egypt and the Arab world. The Centre serves as a pioneering think tank, offering valuable insights into political, economic, and security issues impacting the region.
The event featured the presence of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founder of the Centre and Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group. During his speech, Al Habtoor highlighted the importance of research in serving Arab communities. Distinguished guests included Amr Moussa, former Secretary General of the League of Arab States; Ambassador Mohamed El-Orabi, former Egyptian Foreign Minister; and Dr. Mostafa El Feki, a renowned political thinker.
The opening of the ceremony started with a documentary showcasing the Centre’s achievements during its first year, emphasising its role in promoting impactful research. Following the film, Dr. Mostafa El Feki delivered a speech, thanking the attendees and expressing his gratitude to Khalaf Al Habtoor for his continuous support in spreading knowledge and ideas. “Al Habtoor’s initiative to dedicate this Centre to serving the Arabic language is a noble gesture that reflects our identity and cultural essence. Language is the backbone of our national unity. The Arabic language is not just a means of communication but also a symbol of unity across religion and culture,” he said, stressing the importance of maintaining Arabic as a rich and dynamic language that can keep pace with modern developments.
Al Habtoor, in his remarks, underscored the significance of research institutions in addressing regional challenges. “I am proud of the Centre’s progress over the past year, and I chose Egypt as the hub for this initiative because of its history as a beacon of knowledge and learning,” he said. He also emphasised the importance of speaking Arabic: “We must start with ourselves and our families because preserving our language is a shared responsibility.”
Dr. Azza Hashem, the Centre’s research director, then announced the launch of a new initiative titled “Language Security, Arab Security: Al Habtoor Initiative to Preserve the Arabic Language.” In her speech, Dr. Hashem explored the current state of the Arabic language, identifying the causes of its decline in the Arab world and highlighting the impact this erosion has on national security.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, followed. It featured renowned speakers who examined the multidimensional challenges facing the Arabic language:
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Karam Gabr, Egypt's Head of the National Press Authority, discussed the political and media-related consequences of the decline in Arabic usage.
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Dr. Helmy El-Namnam, former Egyptian Minister of Culture, explored the cultural challenges affecting Arab identity and the role of cultural institutions in promoting Arabic.
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Dr. Nevine Mossaad, Professor of Political Science, Cairo University and member of the National Council for Human Rights, presented strategies to counter these challenges and outlined frameworks to promote the revival of the Arabic language.
The panel focused on the political and security implications of language decline in Arab societies and emphasised the critical role of media and cultural institutions in reversing this trend to ensure that Arabic regains its central place in preserving Arab identity.
At the end of the session, the stage was opened for questions and discussions, allowing attendees and media representatives to engage with the speakers.
Amr Moussa, former Secretary General of the League of Arab States, concluded the event with a thought-provoking speech. “I commend Khalaf Al Habtoor for this important initiative and applaud the center for addressing such a vital topic for the Arab world. I listened closely to all the speakers, and each made a meaningful contribution to understanding the different aspects of the Arabic language’s challenges,” Moussa said.
He added: “I’d like to raise several points to enhance the discussion. First, the threats facing Arabic are not only about its survival but also its quality. There is a noticeable decline in linguistic accuracy, with grammatical errors now common in public speeches, statements, media publications, and even in newspapers. This linguistic degradation needs serious attention, as it contributes to the erosion of our language.”
Moussa also stressed the need to simplify Arabic to make it more accessible for younger generations. “We must make the language easier to engage with so that young people can embrace it rather than avoid it,” he said.
He concluded by highlighting the impact of globalization: “Globalization presents both opportunities and challenges. Rather than fear it, we must adapt to it in ways that protect our language and preserve our identity.”
On the sidelines of the event, Islam Kamal Ghoneim, CEO of the Al Habtoor Research Centre, expressed his pride in the Centre’s accomplishments. “We are proud of what we’ve achieved in our first year, and we remain committed to advancing initiatives that address pressing issues in the Arab world, especially those related to language and culture,” he said.