An observatory is needed to track the use and development of the Arabic language.
This is one of the recommendations from a two-year government study undertaken by the UAE's Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
The UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth, Noura Al Kaabi, revealed some of the findings in a session at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature on Thursday.
The major study, titled Report on the Status and Future of the Arabic Language, examines the role that publishing companies, technology and academia play in sustaining and enriching the Arabic language.
When it comes to the observatory, Al Kaabi said the centre’s role will be vital in fighting the scourge of digital piracy, which continues to wreak havoc throughout the Arabic publishing industry.
“It will allow us to follow the developments of the Arab publishing movement and to confront the phenomenon of book piracy,” she said.
“The observatory will work if its aim is to uphold intellectual property rights and raise awareness of its importance in the development of the electronic publishing industry.”
Al Kaabi added that digital publishing represents a thrilling new frontier for Arabic literature, offering a space to develop new talents.
“It does serve as an incubator for the production of young writers at the beginning of their career and we need to place a lot of effort in developing these initiatives,” she said.
“We believe in its role in supporting creativity and (developing) new trends in the Arab cultural scene.”
A new kind of discussion
Joining Al Kaabi during the session was Dr Ali bin Tamim, chairman of the Arabic Language Centre.
"This report is a unique document that we are proud of," he said. "It has the ability to describe and point the way forward when it comes to opportunities and solutions."
Bin Tamim described the study as an important opportunity to elevate discussions surrounding the Arabic language.
"We want to take it away from uninformed discourse and add some real scientific data, reference points and provide practical approaches,” he said.
“We often hear that our duty is to serve the Arabic language. More correctly, I think that language should serve us as individuals and as communities. Our duty is to help the language serve our country, our economy, our future and Arab people.”
Bin Tamim said such a fresh approach to the language is a stark contrast to the way the subject was previously discussed in academia and cultural circles, which often focused on ability rather than the practicalities of its use.
The role of technology
It is a sentiment echoed by Abdulsalam Haykal, chief executive of Abu Dhabi's Haykal group, which focuses on computerising and enriching Arabic content.
"Those who truly helped the growth and prosperity of the Arabic language are major tech companies like Microsoft and Google. These companies and others similar have given us the ability to use the language in a modern way on their platforms," he said.
Technology will not hinder the quality of the [Arabic] language, but help it reach out further
"Before, we had to use the English alphabet to type Arabic on phones but smartphone technology has improved and we now have access to a full keyboard. Technology will not hinder the quality of the language, but help it reach out further.”
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature continues until Saturday, February 13.
Adopting a hybrid approach, the festival hosts live and virtual sessions focusing on literature, art, science and film. Physical events are taking place across multiple venues including Alserkal Avenue and the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Online sessions can be watched from the festival's website.
More information is at emirateslitfest.com
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
The specs
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
