DUBAI, 12 March 2008 -- The decision by the UAE Cabinet to endorse the use of Arabic as the official language at all government agencies has been hailed by Emirati intellectuals. The decision, which some say has come too late, is a step toward preserving the culture of a country that is fast drowning its identity in a sea of foreigners.
The Cabinet had previously declared 2008 the year of national identity. Emiratis make up less than 20 percent of the total population of the country and many have started voicing complaints that they are feeling like strangers in their own country.
The decision came after a campaign by prominent columnists in the main Arabic newspapers decrying the marginalization of Arabic in the public sphere in the country, particularly in Dubai.
One prominent columnist, Mohammed Yusuf, has written extensively in the daily Al-Emarat Al-Yaum about his daily experiences with the disrespect shown to the national language. He wrote about how he went to an Arab restaurant and was surprised to find that they had not bothered to publish menus in Arabic. This experience repeated itself when he went to an Iranian restaurant.
According to Yusuf, who is also the chairman of the Journalists' Association, the restaurants' attitudes were just a reflection of a general trend in the market where most of the companies disrespect the Arabic-speaking clientele and force the English language on them.
Yusuf hailed the decision and called on local governmental bodies and private departments to follow suit.
Ibrahim Al-Shamsi, a professor at UAE University, agreed that the language has been sidelined even in higher educational institutions.
Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a prominent political scientist, welcomed the decision and said that it was the least that could be done by the government in preserving the national identity.
"We will not compromise on our language," said Abdullah. "The UAE is an Arab country and the Arabic language is the official language as per the constitution."
He described the move as erecting a fortress against the danger of assimilation of the foreign cultures in the UAE.
Ibtisam Al-Kutbi, another professor at UAE University, decried what she called the invasion of foreign languages in government institutions. She pointed out that the decision would help in correcting the imbalance in the market by helping create more jobs for Arabic speakers.
By Shadiah Abdullah
© Arab News 2008
