Sharjah: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy (ALA), the Academy inaugurated the "Sharjah Arabic Language Hall" at the University of Salamanca, Spain. This initiative reflects His Highness's vision to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language and solidify its position in international academic institutions.

Supporting Arabic language education for non-native speakers

 This follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy and the University of Salamanca, aimed at supporting Arabic language education for non-native speakers and providing a comprehensive learning environment that includes modern books and publications, as well as organising specialised training courses and workshops for students and teachers.

Alongside the hall's inauguration, an official ceremony was held at the university's campus in Salamanca, Spain, attended by a number of academics and officials. The importance of this project in fostering cultural and intellectual exchange between the Arab world and Europe was emphasised, as was its role in opening new horizons for students to study Arabic language and literature.
 
Disseminating the Arabic language and enhancing its global presence
 
Dr Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and a member of the Board of Trustees of ALA, stated: “The opening of the Arabic Language Hall at the University of Salamanca represents a strategic step reflecting the Emirate of Sharjah's vision for disseminating the Arabic language and enhancing its global presence. It embodies His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's commitment to the Arabic language and his keenness to support it in the most prestigious academic institutions, thus contributing to building bridges of cultural communication between peoples.”

Scientific and cultural centre for students and researchers

 Dr Mhammed Safi Al-Mustaghani, Secretary General of ALA, said: “This initiative is part of a series of high-quality projects led by the Academy to promote and teach the Arabic language to non-native speakers. The hall serves as a scientific and cultural centre for students and researchers, and strengthens the position of Arabic as a language of science, culture, and civilization on a global scale.”

For his part, Dr Juan Manuel Corchado, Rector of the University of Salamanca, expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his support of this project. He emphasized that this initiative reflects a genuine commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual dialogue between civilisations and will contribute to the development of Arabic language programmes at the university, opening new avenues for academic collaboration.

This step is the fruit of institutional cooperation overseen by the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, in coordination with the Department of Arabic Language and Oriental Studies at the University of Salamanca, and with the direct follow-up of Dr Laura Qaqo, Arabist. The project involved the construction, furnishing, and equipping of the hall with all necessary electronic equipment, books, and essential publications, providing a comprehensive learning environment that supports the teaching of Arabic to non-native speakers and enables them to acquire the language effectively and master speaking and writing skills.

Supporting Arabic language globally

 The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest European universities, founded in 1215 AD, and has a long and distinguished history of teaching Arabic. For centuries, it has contributed to establishing the language's presence in Europe, making the opening of this hall a significant addition that strengthens this enduring academic tradition.

This project embodies the Emirate of Sharjah's ongoing efforts to support the Arabic language globally and reflects its pioneering role in promoting its presence in educational institutions and solidifying its position as a bridge for cultural and intellectual exchange between peoples.