Last month, the UN marked the International Mother Language Day. The purpose of this commemoration is to recognise the value of preserving mother languages around the world, and promoting multiculturalism as well as cross-cultural relations. This year, the UN called upon policymakers, educators, teachers and parents to renew their commitment to multilingual education and to persevere in making education inclusive in order to fast-track the sector's recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Arabic language is a shining jewel in the crown of the Arab region and unites 22diverse nations across the Middle East and North Africa, and millions of Arabs living in the diaspora. Highly regarded around the globe for its beauty, complexity and representation in literature, prose, calligraphy and art, it has been a source of immense pride for Arabs around the world and leads discussions focused on Arab history and heritage. Arabic is one of the oldest spoken languages in the world and has had a lasting influence on various other languages spoken across myriad cultures. Currently, over 50 languages feature words that have been derived from Arabic.
In recent years, however, owing to globalisation and the rapid advances in technology, the use of Arabic, particularly among young people, has declined. Arab youth are increasingly choosing to communicate in English, especially across online platforms where Arabic content is under-represented. Although Arabic is the fifth-most widely spoken language in the world today with over 300 million speakers, only five per cent of online content is in Arabic, according to Statista, a leading global business data platform.
The growing fluency of the population in English and other languages across the Arab region is a promising sign when we consider the goals pertaining to socio-economic growth in the region. Fluency in more than one language has been known to boost an individual’s academic performance, employability, creativity, overall communication skills and cognitive ability. However, while it is important to hone the skills that allow us to communicate better with people from diverse cultures, we must renew our commitment to our mother language that serves as the bedrock of our identity.
Arabic is an integral part of our heritage. The trends we see today in spoken languages are useful indicators of our future. I strongly believe that Arabic speakers can implement a series of initiatives to preserve our beloved mother language and ensure this heritage is carried into the future.
While Arabic is taught as a compulsory language in schools across the region, perhaps more creative approaches to celebrate it can be employed to allow students to better appreciate its depth and value. For instance, we can introduce lessons on the power of Arabic and its influence on other languages and cultures to young school children. Annual competitions, involving creative writing, performances in Arabic, as well as debates and public speaking can also help stimulate a passion for the language in young and impressionable minds.
Undoubtedly, the private sector has an immense responsibility in uplifting society and preserving heritage. It can leverage the opportunity to renew interest in Arabic across workplaces and also invest in projects that will engage external stakeholders.
Corporations are always looking for creative team-building exercises to boost workforce morale. Arabic language classes can be introduced as part of this exercise to engage employees across proficiency levels and allow them to sharpen their skills in both written and spoken Arabic. Human resource departments can also invest in offering structured courses in Arabic for business with certifications as an additional incentive.
The Ministry of Culture celebrates the Arabic calligraphy at the summit of Mount Tuwaiq. SPA
As long as it has been spoken, Arabic has had a tremendous influence on humanity
Arabic media today spans a broad landscape. Key players in the private sector can partner with media organisations to support up-and-coming filmmakers and content creators in their Arabic language projects. The Arab world comprises a plethora of talented and passionate young people who are capable of offering a refreshing and modern take on Arabic content, while the private sector has the resources to empower them through enabling access to the right platforms.
As an unexpected fallout of the pandemic, we now witness an uptick in online content and the private sector is in prime position to partner with popular influencers to produce Arabic content best suited for social media channels.
The travel and tourism sector has an excellent opportunity to offer a more immersive experience for millions of tourists that visit Arab countries every year. With inbound tourism projected to surge post-pandemic once a majority of the global population has been vaccinated, the time is right to leverage this opportunity.
Perhaps, tourism industry players can make the extra effort to incorporate Arabic language learning into their offering for tourists who are unfamiliar with the language. Interactive experiences at airports, hotels and popular tourist attractions, such as devices or apps that teach basic words and phrases, are a great option. Likewise, guided tours can also enable guests to learn Arabic. Hotels can introduce short lessons over in-room entertainment systems, as well as provide in-person courses for guests keen to further expand their knowledge of Arabic.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 26: A prayer in English, Arabic, and Hebrew read at every Shabbat at the Jewish Community Center displayed at Purim celebrations at The Address Hotel on February 26, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Jewish community in Dubai has grown significantly with the influx of Israeli tourists as well as Jewish people from Europe and North America interested in the new peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. (Photo by Andrea DiCenzo/Getty Images)
We are at an interesting point in time as we advance into the post-pandemic era. There is no better time to demonstrate how much we value our heritage through exploring new ways to strengthen and shape opportunities for a brighter and more prosperous future.
As long as it has been spoken, Arabic has had a tremendous influence on humanity and played a crucial role in uniting people across cultures. With strategic planning and adaptation, Arabic can continue to hold sway in allowing the Arab region to share its rich legacy with friends and allies around the world.
Mohammed Alardhi is the executive chairman of Investcorp and chairman of Sohar International
Titles (5) -Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
1 Joost Luiten produced a memorable hole in one at the par-three fourth in the first round.
2 To date, the only two players to win the PGA Championship after winning the week before are Rory McIlroy (2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) and Tiger Woods (2007, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational). Hideki Matsuyama or Chris Stroud could have made it three.
3 Number of seasons without a major for McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 22nd.
4 Louis Oosthuizen has now finished second in all four of the game's major championships.
5 In the fifth hole of the final round, McIlroy holed his longest putt of the week - from 16ft 8in - for birdie.
6 For the sixth successive year, play was disrupted by bad weather with a delay of one hour and 43 minutes on Friday.
7 Seven under par (64) was the best round of the week, shot by Matsuyama and Francesco Molinari on Day 2.
8 Number of shots taken by Jason Day on the 18th hole in round three after a risky recovery shot backfired.
9 Jon Rahm's age in months the last time Phil Mickelson missed the cut in the US PGA, in 1995.
10 Jimmy Walker's opening round as defending champion was a 10-over-par 81.
11 The par-four 11th coincidentally ranked as the 11th hardest hole overall with a scoring average of 4.192.
12 Paul Casey was a combined 12 under par for his first round in this year's majors.
13 The average world ranking of the last 13 PGA winners before this week was 25. Kevin Kisner began the week ranked 25th.
14 The world ranking of Justin Thomas before his victory.
15 Of the top 15 players after 54 holes, only Oosthuizen had previously won a major.
16 The par-four 16th marks the start of Quail Hollow's so-called "Green Mile" of finishing holes, some of the toughest in golf.
17 The first round scoring average of the last 17 major champions was 67.2. Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen shot 67 on day one at Quail Hollow.
18 For the first time in 18 majors, the eventual winner was over par after round one (Thomas shot 73).
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany - At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people - Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed - Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest - He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
