The University of Sharjah (UoS) through the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, held a virtual celebration marking World Arabic Language Day on December 18. Under the theme “Arabic Language and Artificial Intelligence: Fostering Innovation While Preserving Cultural Heritage,” the event aimed to highlight the application of AI technologies in developing innovative tools that enhance the use of the Arabic language across various domains while safeguarding its cultural and heritage significance.

The event commenced with an opening address by His Excellency, Prof. Hamid M. K. Al-Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, who emphasized the importance of preserving the Arabic language as a cornerstone for fostering cultural exchange and promoting cross-cultural communication. He also highlighted the University’s commitment to digital transformation and the integration of modern technologies to develop educational programs that align with the demands of the modern world especially those designed for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. These programs should enable their students to delve into the richness of the Arab culture through the diverse resources and knowledge platforms powered by artificial intelligence. Prof. Al-Naimiy further noted that the celebration supports innovation in the field of teaching the Arabic language, preserving the Arab cultural heritage, and enhancing the status of the Arabic language on the global stage in innovative ways.

In her address to the attendees, Prof. Zahia Ismail Salihi, Acting Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, stressed that the college celebrates this occasion annually through the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, which has the potential and capabilities to keep pace with modern digital challenges, whether by creating new teaching programs, or by employing artificial intelligence applications to facilitate and promote the use and learning of the Arabic language across the globe, and contribute to transferring the Arabic language heritage to future generations.

Dr. Maryam Balajeed, Chair of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature underscored the department's ongoing efforts to deliver diverse and advanced academic activities tailored to contemporary needs. She called for engaging in collaborative research and community initiatives with local and international partners to enhance the development of Arabic studies and drive innovation in the field. Dr. Balajeed invited experts from various disciplines—engineering, computer science, applied linguistics, Islamic studies, history, education, media, and arts—to contribute their research and technical expertise to advance the Arabic language.

The celebration featured poetry recitations by notable figures, including Emirati poet Karim Matouk, Ph.D. candidate and poet Hamda Al Awadhi, Prof. Khalifa Boujady, and UoS student Mustafa Sal. A video presentation showcased the department's contributions to Arabic language advocacy, complemented by a performance titled “My Language, My Identity” delivered by students from Al Sabahiyah School.

The event also included academic discussions on AI's impact on Arabic language, divided into two sessions:

• Session 1: Arabic Language and the Utilization of AI

    Moderated by Ph.D. candidate Badria Al Marzouqi, this session featured the following presentations:

• Arabic Manuscripts and Artificial Intelligence by Prof. Mostafa Toubi (Mohammed V University)
•  Poetry and Artificial Intelligence by Prof. Khalifa Boujady (Al Wasl University)
• Arabic Calligraphy in Architectural Design and AI by Dr. Arif Maqsood (University of Sharjah)
• AI in Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers by researcher Hajar Al-Kubaisi (University of Sharjah)
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• Session 2: Research Groups and AI Applications in Arabic Language Support

  Moderated by master’s student Amal Al Shamsi, this session featured the following presentations:

• Digital Syntax Analysis by Prof. Hussein Yaghi
• Using AI to Design Arabic Language Lessons by Prof. Saif Al-Fuqara
• Automated Arabic Text Punctuation by Dr. Maryam Balajeed