Abu Dhabi, Nov. 21st, 2007 (WAM) - General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has launched Kalima, one of the most significant cultural initiatives to come out of the Arab world in years.

Kalima ("word" in Arabic), funds the translation, publication and distribution of high-quality works of classic and contemporary writing from other languages into Arabic.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the launching ceremony held today at the Emirates Palace, Sheikh Mohammed said that the non-profit initiative reflects desire to support translation of classics written in different languages into Arabic.

"Last April, we said that cultural responsibility in the Arab world was a vital issue, and that the cultural buzz in Abu Dhabi was just the first drop in our contribution to the regional and international cultural scenes."Sheikh Mohammed cited the human development report which lamented indifference to knowledge in the Arab world, saying that the per capita of translated books in the Arab world is less than one book.

"Some 400 books are translated into Arabic every year, around one fifth of the books translated into Greek," he added.

"Today," he went on, "we launch 'Kalima initiative' out of our keenness to spread knowledge and to interact with the world. Kalima is poised to enhance translation into Arabic and to fill the gap in the Arabic cultural community."He said that Kalima plans to translate at least 100 books within one year from its launch.

The launching ceremony was attended by Mohammed Ahmed al Bowardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Zaki Nusaiba, Deputy Chairman of ADACH, diplomats and representatives of Arab and international publishing houses.