Statement by Ahmad bin Meshar Al Muhairi SLC Secretary General On International Mother Language Day

Dubai, 20 February 2023:  "As we at the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (SLC) join the global community in celebrating International Mother Language Day, we pay tribute to the impressive linguistic diversity and cultural richness that exist in our world. We acknowledge the pivotal role that mother languages have played in safeguarding civilisation and human heritage through transmission of knowledge across generations. This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of language in shaping the distinct identity and cultural heritage of nations throughout history.

As we celebrate this occasion, we are filled with a sense of pride and reverence for our mother tongue; the Arabic, recognising its vital role in connecting us deeply to our culture. The UAE, in its efforts to champion the Arabic language, has taken great strides in promoting Arabic language through the establishment of institutions, authorities, and societies dedicated to the study and preservation of Arabic. The country is also at the forefront of launching and implementing innovative projects and initiatives aimed at overcoming any challenges facing the Arabic language and securing its place in the world.

On this occasion, we at the SLC reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the use and status of the Arabic language as the official language of legislation in the UAE. We remain steadfast in our efforts to promote the appropriate and widespread use of Arabic in legislative drafting, with a view to making legislation more accessible and comprehensible to the public. Our ‘Arabic Coffee’ initiative, now in its third year, has received significant welcome and praise from the community and the Dubai Government, and serves as a testament to our dedication to this endeavour.”

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