The Ruler of Sharjah has reignited debate over the future of the Arabic language, after raising concerns over its "westernisation".
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi this week said the introduction of foreign words into Arabic discourse had become "excessive".
He used the example of the word "trend", saying it was an "incorrect Arabic term that people have acquired", during a phone interview on the Direct Line radio show in Sharjah.
Sheikh Dr Sultan has long championed the preservation of a language spoken by more than 300 million people around the world.
He stated his intention to attend the Arabic Language Academy conference in Cairo on October 2 to address the issue.
"Some people may be 'westernised' but this is our unique language, which we are protecting," the Ruler of Sharjah said.
So is one of the world's most spoken languages in danger of being watered down? Or is the introduction of foreign words merely the evolution of an agile language in changing times?
The National spoke to a TV presenter, a parent and language experts to gauge their views.
Textspeak creeps in
Hadeel Jbour, 23, a UAE TV presenter, explained how the global rise of textspeak in WhatsApp messages and on social media has played a part.
She said learning Arabic was no longer "the norm" in the Emirates, a culturally diverse country that is home to about 200 nationalities.
“Many of my friends write Arabic using English characters but it's not uncommon for some to make mistakes in doing so," said Ms Jbour.
"This phenomenon isn't surprising given the multicultural and multinational environment we live in.
"Consequently, English has become the default language for most people here, especially since there are non-Arabic speakers in our community.
"Learning Arabic, which is renowned as one of the world's most challenging languages, is not the norm.”
Call for schools to promote language
Esraa Al Remeithi, a mother of four in Al Ain, said there was a greater focus given to the teaching of English in her children's school.
“I decided to enrol my children in a private school primarily because of the enhanced attention they receive there," she said.
"Moreover, the English language is taught by foreign teachers rather than Arab instructors. Given that English has become the language of the century, this was a significant factor in our decision.
"Even in public schools, mathematics and science subjects are now taught in English. English has assumed a prominent role in education, sometimes overshadowing Arabic.”
While keen for her children to be well-versed in English, Ms Al Remeithi said the Arabic language should be afforded greater protection.
“Currently, the Arabic curriculum consists of a single book that covers Islamic studies, history and Arabic language," she said, referring to the teaching at her children's school.
"In contrast, during our time we had multiple Arabic textbooks and more extensive Arabic classes. English used to be taught in a single session.
"While English is undeniably important in today's world, Arabic remains our mother tongue. Our children require proficiency in both languages, especially given the demand for English in various fields, including work, education and development.
"Unfortunately, we've noticed that our children now speak Arabic with some difficulty, often in a broken manner.”
Language is key to Arab identity
Yusra Al Hashimi, founder and chief executive of Iqra’a Arabic Language Centre in Dubai, stressed the importance of a thriving native language to a country's culture and identity.
“Many international languages, such as Russian, Spanish, French and Italian, maintain their linguistic integrity without significant mixing with other languages," she said.
"The increasing number of foreign schools is contributing to the deterioration of Arabic proficiency among students and the broader community.
“When meeting people in a restaurant, I can often discern their country of origin based on their dialect, whether it's Egyptian, Syrian or another variation. Language plays a pivotal role in shaping one's identity. It's more than just words; it reflects culture and thoughts, significantly influencing individuals."
Support for Ruler's stance
Shaikha Al Zaabi a lecturer in the Arabic department at Sharjah's University of Kalba, welcomed Sheikh Dr Sultan's remarks.
“We are with the direction of the Ruler. This is for the benefit of the Arabic language to preserve it," she said.
"It is the language of the holy Quran. We should strongly stand against such campaigns from the West or against the new words that are spreading.
"Practising the Arabic language should be a lifestyle for us and nobody should force it on us because we are the children of this language.
"The new generations these days have different interests. They are interested in the beauty of the words while speaking by mixing English words.”
Cherishing the written word
Larbi Ben Thaier, a senior instructor of Arabic at Abu Dhabi University, said there should be different expectations when conversing with friends, compared with writing in Arabic.
"We are being unrealistic when we call on people to speak the formal Arabic casually at home, on the street or in coffee shops," he said.
"The practise of formal Arabic in daily life has been rare, even in historical times. However, when it comes to written Arabic, it is essential to preserve the minimum and necessary elements of formal Arabic.
"Evolution and adaptation to the needs of each generation are reasonable but completely abandoning formal Arabic for the sake of convenience would undoubtedly harm the language.
"Compromising the Arabic language under the pretext that life is evolving and dialects are becoming languages is neither feasible nor acceptable in my view.”
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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RESULT
Arsenal 2
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Portsmouth 0
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira), Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah), Mahmoud Khamis (Al Nasr), Yousef Jaber (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalifa Al Hammadi (Jazira), Salem Rashid (Jazira), Shaheen Abdelrahman (Sharjah), Faris Juma (Al Wahda), Mohammed Shaker (Al Ain), Mohammed Barghash (Wahda), Abdulaziz Haikal (Shabab Al Ahli), Ahmed Barman (Al Ain), Khamis Esmail (Wahda), Khaled Bawazir (Sharjah), Majed Surour (Sharjah), Abdullah Ramadan (Jazira), Mohammed Al Attas (Jazira), Fabio De Lima (Al Wasl), Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Khalfan Mubarak (Jazira), Habib Fardan (Nasr), Khalil Ibrahim (Wahda), Ali Mabkhout (Jazira), Ali Saleh (Wasl), Caio (Al Ain), Sebastian Tagliabue (Nasr).
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
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The biog
Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
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Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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The five pillars of Islam
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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Mobile phone packages comparison
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
