National Conference Highlights the Importance of Arabic in Africa
Under the theme "Towards a National Strategy for Promoting the Arabic Language," the Eighth National Conference on the Arabic Language convened on April 29 and 30, 2026, at the Bahanini Hall and the Coordination Office for Arabization in Rabat. This significant event was organized by the National Coalition for the Arabic Language in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication – Cultural Sector, the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO), the International University of Africa in Sudan, the Supreme Council of the Arabic Language in Africa based in Chad, and the Allal al-Fassi Foundation. A key focus of the conference was "The Arabic Language in Africa: Reality and Challenges," which served as a scientific and advocacy framework to highlight the historical and cultural depth of the Arabic language across the continent, recognizing its role as a language of science, religion, administration, and communication.
This session witnessed the participation of a distinguished group of officials, experts, academics, and journalists from Morocco and various African nations, reflecting the growing African dimension of Arabic language issues and affirming its shared significance within the cultural space of the continent. The conference culminated in the selection of the Republic of Chad as the guest of honor, following intensive scientific sessions, rich discussions, and valuable advocacy efforts involving officials, professors, researchers, and experts from Morocco and abroad.
Strategic Recommendations for the Arabic Language in Africa
The conference concluded by asserting that the Arabic language represents a cornerstone of cultural identity in many African countries, serving multiple functions: religious, educational, communicative, and administrative. It acknowledged the persistent structural challenges facing Arabic in Africa, primarily manifested in the imbalance in language policies favoring foreign languages, insufficient investment in Arabic education and training, and the limited presence of Arabic in scientific research and technology fields.
Furthermore, the conference emphasized that promoting the Arabic language in Africa is no longer merely a cultural choice but has become a strategic challenge linked to linguistic sovereignty, cultural security, and identity preservation. It highlighted the Arabic language's role as a bridge for African civilizational integration and as a tool to enhance scientific and knowledge cooperation among the continent's nations. The importance of integrating the Arabic language into digital transformations was also underscored to ensure its presence in the knowledge economy in line with rapid global changes.
In light of these insights, the conference made several key recommendations, including the development of an integrated national and African strategy for the advancement of the Arabic language, which should focus on coordinating educational, cultural, and media policies. It also called for strengthening Morocco's linguistic and cultural diplomacy in Africa by supporting Arabic education and expanding university and scientific cooperation networks. Additionally, it recommended the establishment of joint African programs for training teachers and researchers in the Arabic language, facilitating the exchange of experiences and successful practices, and supporting scientific research on Arabic language issues in Africa, linking it to development and societal transformation challenges.
As reported by hespress.com.
