Sharjah Ruler Celebrates Fifth International Forum for Arabic Language Teachers
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi attended the closing ceremony of the prestigious forum, which focused on linguistic security and the advancement of Arabic language education across the region.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, graced the closing ceremony of the Fifth International Forum for Arabic Language Teachers on Sunday morning, affirming the emirate’s unwavering commitment to linguistic excellence and pedagogical innovation.
Organised jointly by the Sharjah Private Education Authority and the Sharjah Education Academy under the theme “Linguistic Security”, the forum brought together educators and scholars to explore the contemporary challenges and opportunities in Arabic language instruction. The ceremony commenced with the UAE national anthem, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran, setting a solemn and culturally significant tone for the proceedings.
Dr Muhadditha Yahya Al Hashimi, Chairperson of both organising bodies, delivered remarks underscoring Sharjah’s educational trajectory and its emergence as a global education centre. She highlighted the emirate’s recent success in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment, where Sharjah achieved 14th place globally in mathematics, 23rd in science and 33rd in reading—testament to the calibre of instruction and student engagement across the emirate’s institutions.
The selection of linguistic security as the forum’s theme reflects Sharjah’s philosophical conviction that the Arabic language constitutes a fundamental pillar of identity formation and future-oriented development. Al Hashimi emphasised the shared responsibility in strengthening linguistic security and reaffirmed the emirate’s directive to enhance Arabic-language education in early childhood settings across government nurseries.
Dr Majid bin Muqad Al Hafi, Chairman of the current session of the Board of Trustees of the Arabic Language Educational Centre for the Gulf States, reinforced the pivotal role of teachers in transforming knowledge into meaningful awareness and impact. He characterised the forum as an essential international platform for exchanging expertise and anticipating the evolving competencies required of educators.
During the ceremony, His Highness examined the “Proud to Be a Teacher” programme, which currently engages 113 Emirati educators across Sharjah’s nurseries and schools, with 62 female teachers pursuing master’s degree qualifications. The programme’s contributors presented 13 action research papers and participated in 14 panel discussions, demonstrating the intellectual vitality of the teaching profession within the emirate.
A particularly poignant moment came when His Highness met a non-native Arabic speaker whose calligraphy and artwork, inspired by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi’s “House of Wisdom”, exemplified how cultural initiatives can deepen students’ connection with the language and heritage.
Source: WAM