Connect with us

Latest News

Arab League hosts Al-Babtain Arabic Award ceremony

Published

on

CAIRO: The General Secretariat of the Arab League on Wednesday hosted the inaugural award ceremony for the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Award for Creativity in the Service of the Arabic Language, launched in partnership with the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation and the Arab Parliament. The ceremony marked a significant cultural initiative aimed at advancing the Arabic language and preserving its legacy, in line with the vision of the late Kuwaiti poet and intellectual Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain.

In his opening remarks, Speaker of the Arab Parliament Ahmed Al-Yamahi emphasized the need for a unified Arab strategy to promote the Arabic language. He called for greater coordination among Arab states and institutions to enhance the language’s global standing and integrate it with sustainable development, technology, and modern labor markets. “This award not only honors one of the great cultural figures of our Arab world, but it also encourages intellectuals and creatives to contribute to preserving and revitalizing the Arabic language,” said Al-Yamahi. He underscored the importance of safeguarding Arabic as a symbol of Arab cultural identity, a bridge to the region’s history, and a vessel for civilization.

Al-Yamahi also warned of growing challenges facing the Arabic language, including declining daily use, the prevalence of foreign terms, the dominance of foreign languages in education and research, and the lack of sufficient Arabic content in the digital sphere. He urged stronger support for institutions working to embed Arabic in modern life and inspire future generations. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, Saud Abdulaziz Al-Babtain, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to its founding mission. He noted that the partnership with the Arab Parliament reflects a renewed pledge to safeguard Arabic, prioritize it among Arab communities, and promote it globally—particularly among non-native speakers.

“Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain entrusted us with a cultural legacy, and we pledged before His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and before Arab intellectuals to preserve it,” he said. “From the very beginning, we worked to accelerate our projects and pursue his enduring dream of protecting the Arab identity through language.” The award’s first edition was launched in May 2024, with nominations open until November 15. It featured two main categories: one for individual contributions to Arabic language digitization, and another for institutions advancing language planning and policy.

The $40,000 individual award was presented to Hassan Al-Nahhas for his project, The Miracle in Computerizing the Arabic Language, while the $60,000 institutional award went to the King Salman International Academy of the Arabic Language for its Arabic Language Index project. The winners were selected through a rigorous review process led by the award’s Board of Trustees and a panel of senior experts, ensuring transparency and professionalism.

Representing the Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the event was Ambassador Dr Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector. The event was attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt Ghanim Al-Ghanim, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, alongside a host of Arab ambassadors, intellectuals, writers and media professionals. The ceremony affirmed the award’s growing stature and its cultural significance across the Arab world. — KUNA

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Iran Embassy opens condolence book to honor victims of Zionist aggression

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuwait opened a condolence book, on Monday, to honor the victims of the recent aggression against Iran. The event was attended by officials, ambassadors, and media. Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi expressed his appreciation for the positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially Kuwait, regarding the recent events, noting that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister had called his Iranian counterpart in a gesture that reflects the strength of bilateral relations, describing the presence of ambassadors at the embassy as “Noteworthy and Positive.”

The ambassador said in a statement that his country endured twelve days of intense aggression by the Zionist entity, joined by the United States in the final two days, explaining that Iran faced simultaneous attacks from countries equipped with nuclear capabilities and advanced technology, backed by NATO. He emphasized that the planners of this aggression had expected Iran to collapse within days. However, “The unity of the Iranian people inside and outside the country formed a formidable barrier.” He added that US intervention came only after ten days of failed efforts to achieve any ground breakthrough.

Toutounchi revealed that the number of victims exceeded 620 martyrs, with more than 5,356 wounded, including 13 children and 43 women, some of whom were pregnant, adding “Seven hospitals, six health centers, and dozens of ambulances were destroyed. These martyrs cannot be replaced whether they were children, military leaders, or academics, calling for the Zionist entity and the United States to be held accountable before international bodies to prevent such crimes from recurring.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the ambassador reiterated Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), pointing out that the country’s nuclear program, which represents less than 3 percent of global peaceful nuclear activities, has undergone over 23 percent of international inspections. He argued that this high inspection rate indicates no deviation toward military objectives.

He disclosed that Iran had recently agreed to five rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the diplomatic track and ensuring the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. He also stressed that Iran’s response against US military and intelligence bases in Qatar was a legitimate act of self-defense and was not directed at any neighboring countries, affirming Iran’s full respect for their sovereignty. He noted that Iran had communicated with Qatari leadership to clarify its position, stating that military bases in neighboring countries used by US forces cannot be considered safe havens for launching attacks.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ambassador to Kuwait Al-Manhal Al-Safi expressed his deep gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership, government, and people for facilitating the return of over 3,000 stranded Iraqi citizens by issuing more than 3,500 transit visas in just 12 days. The Iraqi ambassador affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Iran and condemned the aggression, revealing that Zionist aircraft had breached Iraqi airspace, prompting Baghdad to file an official complaint with the UN Security Council.

In the same context, the Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla offered his condolences to Iran, describing the incident as “A blatant and unacceptable attack.” He called for regional unity to confront shared challenges, emphasizing that the targeting of Iran threatens all free peoples in the region. He urged a joint response to protect stability and to revive the Palestinian cause as a priority. The Sudanese envoy also pointed to the double standards in the international system, calling for crises to be addressed through international legitimacy rather than the imposition of forceful agendas.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Exit permit now mandatory for expat workers

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: A decision mandating expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Employees need to apply through the Sahel app or the Public Authority of Manpower’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit. The decision applies to private sector employees who have residency under article 18. Those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit.

Continue Reading

Latest News

410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: Al-Safa Charitable Society announced that 410 students across various educational stages have benefited from the Educational Care Bank project for the 2024-2025 academic year. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Endowments, provided a total of KD 100,000 (approximately $330,000) in educational support within Kuwait. Chairman of Al-Safa’s Board of Directors Mohammad Al-Shaya said in a press statement on Monday that the project reflects a shared commitment to supporting future generations by creating an educational environment free from financial obstacles. He emphasized that the initiative also aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by low-income families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Al-Shaya praised the General Secretariat of Endowments for its continued sponsorship of impactful and innovative projects that serve the community, particularly those focused on education. He noted that the Secretariat’s support for this program underscores its strong belief in education as a cornerstone for societal advancement and sustainable development. He added that Al-Safa Charitable Society, through this partnership, seeks to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. The project, he explained, targets students who face difficulty in paying tuition fees, reaffirming the association’s belief in the right to education for all—without discrimination or financial barriers. — KUNA

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 SKUWAIT.COM .