Dr. Azmi Mahafzah, Jordan’s Minister of Education, emphasized that preserving the Arabic language is a shared responsibility. This begins with pride in the language, ensuring its proper use in daily life, enhancing educational curricula, classroom teaching, and official communications.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking on the occasion of International Arabic Language Day on December 18, Mahafzah highlighted that Arabic—the language of the Quran, science, literature, and thought—has played a key role in building human civilization and transmitting knowledge worldwide, thanks to its rich vocabulary and deep meanings.
He noted that Arabic is more than a communication tool; it is the identity of a nation and the memory of a civilization, with enduring influence across generations. The selection of this day follows the 1973 UN General Assembly decision to recognize Arabic as one of the organization’s official languages, acknowledging its importance and cultural role. Today, over 400 million people speak Arabic, and the celebration extends beyond native speakers to anyone who values its role in preserving human heritage and promoting intercultural dialogue.
Mahafzah underscored that Jordanian educational institutions recognize Arabic’s unique qualities, including its derivational richness, expressive flexibility, and adaptability to evolving sciences. Arabic contributed to the European scientific renaissance and remains foundational to high literature—poetry, prose, and rhetoric—and continues to inspire writers, thinkers, and students.
In the face of modern challenges, International Arabic Language Day highlights the importance of positioning Arabic alongside other languages in education, media, work, and social communication, while promoting Modern Standard Arabic without diminishing the value of dialects.
The Minister called on schools and institutions to actively nurture love for Arabic through curricula, extracurricular activities, innovative teaching methods linking language to life and creativity, scientific research in Arabic, translation, and original works. Such efforts aim to sustain a robust knowledge base in the mother tongue while engaging with global languages.
