The Arabic Language at the Heart of the UAE's Cultural Vision His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Each year on December 18, the world marks World Arabic Language Day, celebrating a language that has been a cornerstone of knowledge, creativity, and human exchange for centuries. Arabic has shaped a remarkable intellectual and cultural legacy, serving as a bridge between civilizations and a vehicle for the transmission of science, philosophy, and the arts. This global observance goes beyond symbolism; it affirms the enduring role of Arabic in enriching human heritage and fostering dialogue across cultures. In the United Arab Emirates, Arabic is not viewed simply as a means of communication. It is the foundation of our national identity, a channel for cultural connection, and a vital platform for intellectual and creative expression. It carries our values and history while evolving alongside our cultural and developmental ambitions. As such, the Arabic language is a central pillar in our vision for the future. Guided by this belief, the Ministry of Culture places the active use of Arabic at the core of its cultural policies and strategies. We regard this as both a national priority and a shared responsibility-one that brings together government institutions, educational bodies, and the wider community. Our aim is to embed Arabic more deeply in daily life and strengthen its role as a language of knowledge creation and creative production, ensuring its vitality and continued growth across all sectors of society. To achieve this, the Ministry has adopted a comprehensive, forward-looking approach that combines research-driven planning with policy development, legislative frameworks, and practical initiatives. We have invested in specialized studies and reports that assess the current state of the Arabic language, identify challenges, and highlight emerging opportunities for its advancement. As part of these efforts, the Ministry has recently completed a feasibility study for a proposed Arabic Language Law. The study seeks to support the wider use of Arabic across key public and private domains, while reinforcing its place in everyday communication-particularly among younger generations-in response to rapid social and cultural change. Reading occupies a central place in our language strategy. The Ministry is deeply committed to cultivating a strong reading culture in Arabic, recognizing its essential role in developing language proficiency, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity. National Reading Month, one of the UAE's flagship cultural initiatives, has grown into a nationwide movement led by the Ministry of Culture. It brings together government entities, private institutions, libraries, schools, and cultural centers in a collective effort to make reading an integral part of daily life. These initiatives aim to strengthen people's connection to Arabic as a language of knowledge, enjoyment, and creativity, while also contributing to greater awareness, imagination, and analytical thinking across all age groups. We also believe that a lasting relationship with language begins in childhood. In partnership with the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Ministry has launched the Cultural competitions designed to develop children's language skills, encourage reading and writing, and nurture creativity in an engaging and supportive environment. These initiatives help instill a love of Arabic language at an early age and empower youths to express themselves confidently in their mother tongue. Education remains another key focus area. Through the development of the National Framework for Cultural Activities in Schools, the Ministry is working to integrate culture and the Arabic language more fully into schools. The framework introduces curricular and extracurricular activities, reading and creative competitions, and cultural programs that complement academic learning. In doing so, it reinforces the role of schools as vibrant cultural spaces and presents Arabic to students as a living language of thought, dialogue, and innovation. Beyond education, the Ministry continues to support Arabic-language publishing and cultural production through the National Program for Culture and Creativity Grants, which has supported more than 150 Emirati creatives, as well as through grants to cultural public-benefit associations that play a vital role in promoting Arabic within communities. This commitment has also led to a joint cultural publishing initiative with the Emirates Writers Union, focused primarily on Arabic-language works. This year, five new titles from the series were launched at the Sharjah International Book Fair. Supporting Arabic today also means ensuring its relevance in the digital age. The Ministry recognizes that the future of the language depends on its active presence in digital spaces. We therefore encourage the use of modern technologies to produce high-quality Arabic content, develop digital platforms, and explore innovative and interactive formats. These efforts help make Arabic more accessible to younger generations and better equipped to express the realities of contemporary life. At the Ministry of Culture, our vision for the future of Arabic rests on three interconnected pillars: high-quality education that builds strong language skills; sustained cultural and creative production that enriches Arabic content; and a dynamic digital presence that keeps pace with technological change. Through these pillars, we are working to ensure that Arabic continues to thrive as a language of science, culture, and creativity-fully equipped to engage with global knowledge landscapes.