In many Middle Eastern homes across the UAE, conversations start and end with the same anxious question: “Are the children learning Arabic? How is their Arabic? Do you know any good Arabic language tutors?” This isn’t just about language proficiency, it’s about preserving identity, memory and connection.
In 2019, the UAE released a report on the status and future of the Arabic language. It highlighted the dual challenge we face: preserving Arabic as a marker of heritage and identity while also making it a vehicle for modern education and global discourse. Soon after that report was released, the UAE launched the Arabic Language Declaration, a roadmap signed at an Arabic Language Summit during Expo 2020 Dubai.
It laid out 10 principles on teaching, digital content, translation and technology that commit institutions across the Arab world to protecting and advancing the language.
Several surveys in at least the past decade have echoed what many Arab parents can already see and feel in their homes. The Arab Youth Survey of 2015 showed that more than a third of Arab youth used English more than Arabic daily, and two-thirds expressed worry about Arabic’s declining value.
In GCC countries, the figure was even more striking: more than half reported that English had overtaken Arabic as their primary spoken language.
By 2017, some 68 per cent of Gulf Arab youth were using English on a daily basis, more than Arabic, a steep rise from the year before. These statistics mirror the dinner table discussions parents are having about whether to hire tutors, switch schools or create Arabic-only rules at home. The fear is that if Arabic is not robust, connections to grandparents, to the Quran for Muslim families, and to culture and heritage will weaken.
In the Arab Youth Survey of 2023, 54 per cent said they believed the Arabic language was less significant to them than to their parents, while only 11 per cent said they thought it central to their identity.
It is important to make a distinction here. Arabic is a unifying language across the Arab world, but not all Arabs are Muslim. For Muslim communities, whether Arab or not, Arabic carries additional significance as the language of the Quran.
For many non-Arab Muslim-majority societies – such as Indonesia, with the world’s largest Muslim population, and Malaysia – learning Arabic is essential because it is the key to reading the Quran and engaging with Islamic texts. This adds another layer of urgency to the efforts to preserve and teach Arabic in ways that are meaningful and accessible.
In reflecting on why speaking Arabic among young people has lost some ground, I see three overlapping realities. The first is the story of the Arab diaspora. Decades of conflict, displacement and economic migration have sent millions from the Levant, North Africa, and beyond to Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
In these homes, Arabic is often the language of the grandparents but loses dominance to English or the local language. Over generations, usage declines. Schools rarely offer Arabic programmes, and in some cases, young people may even feel that maintaining Arabic is a barrier to assimilation, especially in societies where anti-Arab or anti-immigrant sentiment is present. For some young people, speaking Arabic could invite stereotypes or subtle social exclusion, so families choose to downplay the language as a way to integrate more fully.
The second reality is one I know personally – growing up in a multilingual home where English dominated. Like many of my peers, I had one parent who was Arab and another who was not, and the language of our home naturally became English. Although Arabic was taught in my school, the experience often felt fraught.
Grammar mistakes were met with scorn, dialect slips were seen as careless, and humiliation from peers and even teachers was common. This made many children of my generation turn away from Arabic altogether or use it as little as possible.
It is natural to avoid what makes you feel inadequate, and over time, that avoidance can harden into shame. I was fortunate that my professional life placed me in government roles where Arabic was not optional. Over time I had to use it, think in it, and even write in it, which helped build my confidence. Many, however, never get that chance and so they speak Arabic infrequently and with hesitation.
The third reality is a more recent one – the result of rapid globalisation and the dominance of English as the language of commerce. As the UAE and other Gulf countries opened themselves to international partnerships and private-sector investment, English became a professional necessity.
Many of my fluent Arabic-speaking friends who studied at Arabic-medium schools found themselves at a disadvantage when applying for jobs or seeking to study at universities such as NYU Abu Dhabi or the American University of Sharjah. Their solution was to place their own children in English-medium schools, hoping to prepare them better for future opportunities. Yet this choice also meant that Arabic became a secondary subject.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope across industries. Publishing houses such as Sharjah-based Kalimat Group issuing Arabic books for children, and streaming platforms commissioning original Arabic series and films — including Netflix, OSN+ — show that audiences want authentic Arab stories.
When Arab writers, directors, and production teams are supported, Arabic storytelling can stand alongside global phenomena such as Korean dramas and Turkish series. This is possible through sustained funding, mentorship, and industry investment to give Arabic a stronger foothold in the cultural marketplace.
At a more personal level, I believe the solution begins with empathy. We must stop shaming those speakers whose Arabic is imperfect and start creating a culture where learners are encouraged, not belittled. Every mispronunciation and every grammar slip should be seen as a step forward, not a sign of failure. Teachers and parents play a powerful role in shaping this emotional environment. The more we praise effort, the more we create conditions for children and young adults to keep trying.
Parents and policymakers also have a role to play in expanding Arabic content and making fluency in it an aspiration. Arabic should be present not just as a subject but as a vibrant medium of creativity and joy. Bilingual education can be balanced, with Arabic literature, debate clubs, theatre, and creative writing embedded in school life so that children see the language as alive and evolving.
Arabic will flourish when families, institutions and societies treat it not as a burden or a test but as a living, breathing inheritance. Every word we speak, every story we share in Arabic is an act of loyalty to history and a gift to future generations. If we can approach this challenge with compassion instead of criticism, we can make sure that Arabic continues to be not just our heritage, but our home.
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Getting%20there%20
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Formula%204%20Italian%20Championship%202023%20calendar
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
THREE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
The%20specs
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THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
