New UAE award to recognise Arabic language contributions

Dubai, May 8 (IANS/WAM) A new award to recognise contributions to the Arabic language has been launched by Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award, launched Wednesday, aims to encourage exceptional contributions in serving the Arabic language and honouring its patrons besides highlighting successful and outstanding experiences in disseminating and educating the Arabic language.

"The language of the Koran is protected by Allah, and our goal behind launching this award is to serve it and contribute to its dissemination," Sheikh Mohammed said while launching the award.

"To contribute to the preservation of the Arabic language through honouring its pioneers and distinguished persons consolidates our identity and preserves our heritage, our thinking and our culture, and is protection for our new generations from losing the most important cultural, educational and linguistic tool we possess," he said.

The new award includes five branches, whereby outstanding initiatives will be honoured along with exceptional contributions to support the Arabic language in the areas of education, media, Arabisation, technology, preservation and dissemination of the Arab linguistic heritage.

The prize includes 10 categories to be honoured on an annual basis and aims to reinforce the status of the UAE, and its leading position as a centre of excellence for the Arabic language, promote its usage in public life and to facilitate its learning and teaching.

The winning institutions and individuals will be selected by a panel of judges comprising prominent figures in the Arab world.

--IANS/WAM

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