CARTHAGE - Arabic language is a sound challenge that may help achieve modernity and avoid conformism, Caretaker President Moncef Marzouki said on Wednesday, at the opening of the World Forum of Arabic Language.
Addressing participants in the forum, which coincides with the observance on December 18 of World Arabic Language Day, Marzouki said Arabic language is a tool for the development of Arab nations insofar as it strengthens their homogeneity in all fields, including education.
Arab joint action is the best way to keep abreast of developments in education, science, researches and technology, he said.
In turn, Director-General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Othman Al-Tuwaijri said the pessimistic vision of the state of affairs and future of the language is tightly linked to its situation.
The Arabic language is a strategic cause which does not only touch upon the cultural and civilisational security of nations but also extends to their sovereignty, security and stability.
Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) Abdullah Al-Muhareb shed light on the reasons behind the crisis which the Arabic language is going through.
The opening ceremony of this international event was attended by the interim Prime Minister, some ministers, academics, Arabic language experts and Arab officials, namely Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Adel Al-Falah and President of Libyan "Al-Dawa Al-Islamia" organisation Abdelkarim Khalil.
The two-day event falls in line with the implementation of the Caretaker President's initiative on the creation of an institution named "World Mihrab for the Arabic Language."
President Marzouki presented this initiative at the 24th Arab Summit in Doha (Qatar) so as to network the different stakeholders seeking to upgrade the Arabic language.
Topping the event's agenda are communications on the experiences conducted by Arab organisations for the sake of promoting the Arabic language.
The Forum will also discuss interactive pedagogies adopted to teach the language and use it as a scientific language.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2013
