Her Highness Sheikha Moza attends QF’s celebration of International Day of Education

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended Qatar Foundation’s International Day of Education event, which was held under the theme ‘Education is Everyone's Responsibility’, at the Qatar National Convention Center.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza attended the Qatar Foundation (QF) event’s opening session, titled ‘Protecting the Arabic Language is a Social Responsibility.” The session was also attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) of Jordan; Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation; and Her Excellency Bahia Hariri, President of the Hariri Foundation, along with a number of Their Excellencies, Sheikhs and Ministers, and other dignitaries.

The panel featured experts including Hadeel Al-Abbasi, education, leadership, and Arabic language lecturer; Dr. Laila Familiar, a lecturer in the Arabic language for non-native speakers; Amal Farah, a children’s writer and educational expert; and Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at QF’s Pre-University Education.

Al-Abbasi emphasized innovative approaches to promoting the use of the Arabic language and tackling the challenges involved in enhancing its influence within Arab society.

Dr. Familiar spoke about how the creation of new educational tools can contribute to enhancing the methods of teaching Arabic and strengthening its role in education. She also highlighted the importance of spoken Arabic in helping children connect with classical Arabic, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the language.

Farah shared insights on the role of children’s literature in building cultural identity among younger generations. She emphasized the essential values that should be embedded in children’s literature to enhance the Arabic language’s status.

Sheikha Nouf Al Thani highlighted the importance of enhancing the status of the Arabic language in international educational curricula, emphasizing its pivotal role in reinforcing cultural and linguistic identity. She pointed out the necessity of adopting Arabic as a core element in education, contributing to raising awareness of its significance in preserving national identity and enhancing its global presence. 

During her remarks, Sheikha Nouf announced the launch of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar Foundation under "Rasekh" initiative. She explained that this initiative aims to support Arabic language education within international curricula.

She further clarified that the partnership focuses on designing innovative tools and educational programs to serve as a primary resource for international and local educators, providing advanced resources that help balance international curricula with local context. 

Sheikha Nouf explained that this initiative is a response to the challenges facing the Arabic language on a global scale, saying: "This is a step to promote Arabic not only as a means of communication but also as a bridge to science and knowledge, reflecting its civilizational and humanistic contributions."

She emphasized that the partnership represents a strategic step towards localizing education in Qatar, with a focus on integrating international curricula into the local environment to ensure their relevance to students’ realities. She added: "Our goal is to achieve an ideal balance between global and local perspectives, enriching students’ experiences and strengthening their connection to their culture."

Building on the session, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, and Her Excellency Bahia Hariri, President of the Hariri Foundation, participated in an in-depth discussion that addressed several important topics. These included the role of families in promoting the Arabic language, instilling a love for it among younger generations, and making it a fundamental part of their cultural identity; the role of international schools in preserving Arabic as a core language for teaching and learning; as well as the role of society and its various institutions in enhancing the status of the Arabic language.

During the event, Sheikha Noof Al Thani, also recognized 10 impactful innovations from the ‘Spotlight on Qatar’ competition, a collaborative initiative between QF and the global educational organization HundrED. The collaboration aims to highlight and celebrate practitioners who lead innovative, impactful, and scalable approaches to advancing educational development in pre-university education worldwide.

Another session saw QF launch its ‘Let’s Speak Arabic’ campaign, aimed at encouraging students, families, and school stakeholders to integrate Arabic language into their daily lives and promoting its lasting significance in the community. The discussion emphasized the significance of preserving the Arabic language as a cornerstone of cultural and social identity, and its role in upholding values, traditions, and ideas.

Maryam Al-Hajri, Director of Partnerships at Qatar Foundation's Pre-University Education, emphasized the campaign's focus on the crucial role of school administrations and teachers in promoting the use of Arabic language both inside and outside the classroom. She noted that the initiative inspires students to confidently and proudly express themselves in Arabic, celebrating the depth and richness of their linguistic heritage.

“Recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts, the campaign also calls on parents to actively support their children in strengthening their connection to their mother tongue, whether through classical Arabic or local dialects, reinforcing the language as a cornerstone of their identity.”

“We invite schools and educational institutions to actively contribute to the campaign’s success by organizing creative activities and events that inspire students to engage with the Arabic language in dynamic and enjoyable ways, enhancing their skills and enthusiasm.” Al-Hajri continued.

Al-Hajri stressed that the campaign is more than just an initiative, stating: “It embodies a comprehensive vision to celebrate the Arabic language and deepen awareness of its cultural and educational significance. This ensures its enduring impact on shaping the identities of future generations, establishing it as an integral part of their cultural fabric.”

The International Day of Education, observed annually on 24 January, highlights education as both a basic human right and a collective responsibility, encouraging active contributions to enhancing the quality of education.

Throughout the day, a series of discussions, workshops, and activities were held, including an interactive exhibition showcasing innovative educational projects. Alongside the main event, the Education Development Institute, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, hosted a full-day program featuring experts who explored topics such as bilingual education, balancing mother tongue usage, and bridging the gap between local and global perspectives in international programs, underscoring their critical role in education.