NILAI, December 18, 2017 – USIM with the World Organization for Renaissance of Arabic Language (WORAL), Qatar Foundation, an organization under the Qatar Foundation, and also collaborated with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (SEISCO) successfully organized a momentous event named World Arabic Language Day 2017.

The event held from 14 until December 19 2017 with theme Teaching Arabic: Fascinating & Creative.

Among the objectives outlined for the programme are empowering the usage of the Arabic Language through the activities planned throughout the celebration, providing platforms for intellectual discourse on the use and development of the Arabic Language in Malaysia. Also, the programme gives recognition to individuals who have shown unique talents and contributed immensely to the development of the Arabic Language in Malaysia.

Various activities pertaining to the World Arabic Day 2017 celebration which include Khat Calligraphy Cempetition, Inter-Varsity Debate Competition, Forums, Workshops, Choral Speaking Performance and Poem Recital Performance.

According to Vice Chancellor speech, Prof Dato Dr Musa Ahmad, the co-operation between USIM with WORAL and Qatar Foundation for this event further strengthen regarding on USIM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on 2 February 2017 in Qatar to establish Arab Language Corner or known as Ruknu Arabi with WORAL intended to encourage the use of Arabic language.

“Plus, there are series of visit from Qatar Foundation led by Dr Ali Khubaisi here in USIM. The Ruknu Arabi will be located at our Library which funded by Qatar Foundation which is an important milestone that can further increase future co-operation for the development Arabic Language, especially in Malaysia and South East Asian Region. Such co-operation will motivate more research and development for Arabic Language. Especially in terms of teaching methods that can generate not only students who are competent in Arabic but also create future teachers, scientists and experts of the Arabic language”, Dato Musa added.

”In preserving its stature and unique qualities, I sincerely hope that this World Arabic Day 2017 is able to elevate the prominence of the Arabic Language through the continued initiatives at enhancing its usage and extending its practice to non-native users. This would be achievable through its use in daily religious practices, Al-Quran recital and preservation of the art of Khat Calligraphy. This is the first celebration of World Arabic Day 2017 in USIM, thus I would recommend that it become USIM’s annual event in our effort at fomally position the Arabic Language as an important and recognized language worldwide while ensuring its pristine quality intact.” said Dr Yuslina Mohamed, Director of World Arabic Day 2017.

The World Arabic Language Day 2017 celebration is a commitment between two institutions of two countries; Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Malaysia) and World Organization for Renaissance of Arabic Language (Qatar). This collaboration targets at expanding the potentials of the Arabic Language in the Asian region, and making it a centre of a more interesting and innovative hub for the teaching and learning of Arabic. Activities held during the celebration exemplify the variety of Arabic related activities that would be beneficial in boosting the confidence in using Arabic and in assisting the growth of proficiency in Arabic in ways that are more creative, innovative and comprehensive.

The event was officiated by USIM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato Dr Musa Ahmad. Also presented was directed-general Dr Ali Ahmed Khubaisi.

Thus, WORAL for the first time celebrated the six-day World Arabic Language Day celebration in Malaysia as it was previously held in Qatar.