The Faculty of Languages at the Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST), organized a celebration of the International Day of Arabic Language in cooperation with the Arabic Language Academy and under the slogan "Arabic Language and Identity".
The event was attended by Prof. Abdelazim Suleiman Al-Mahal, Deputy Vice Chancellor of SUST, Prof. Bakri Mohamad Al-Hajj, Head of the Arabic Language Academy, professors of the colleges of Languages from Sudanese universities, and a group of students, researchers and those interested.
Prof. Al-Mahal welcomed the guests and congratulated them on the occasion of the International Arabic Language Day. He said, "Our language represents the most important features of civilization and culture and the key to getting to know people".
His Excellency stated that the Arabic language aims to diagnose reality and anticipate the future with its sciences and studies related to identity and history, explaining the necessity of spreading it and communicating it to all the world, showing off it and developing its concepts so as not to be subject to change, extinction or alienation of meanings.
Prof Almahal also empathised the importance of using modern technologies, linguistic computing, electronic technology, and social networking sites, and activating their role in changing traditional teaching patterns.
"Arabic dialects must be taken into account and taken as a source of earning and a means for the general economic, social and moral interest, and to open broad horizons for acquaintance, rapprochement and communication in various aspects of life", he added.
Prof. Bakri Mohamad Al-Hajj thanked SUST for giving them the opportunity to meet through the celebration of the international Arabic language day. He said, "Our celebration of Arabic language gives it its true and lofty status, consolidates its meanings and promotes its sublime values and the celebrations took place in all parts of the Arab world and globally".
Prof. Bakri explained that the Arab identity was embodied in the language of the Holy Quran and the Mohammedan message and Arabic language that was sent by the nation’s Prophet Mohamad, peace and blessings be upon him, which is the greatest honor and glorification for the nation.
He explained that UNESCO decided to celebrate Arabic language due to its sense of its great influence on communication, education and culture in the world. He said, "We celebrate today by presenting scientific papers, volumes, research, and distinguished linguistic and historical books that reflect the Arab heritage and the Islamic religion."
Prof. Bakri valued the great efforts of the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Al-Qasimi, in documenting and caring for the intellectual product, the Arabic dictionary, historical literature, and reflecting the Arab culture, and his contribution to choosing the Sudanese Arabic Language Institute, its staff, and its scholars as an original part and participant in the making and completion of this great work. He also called for more coordination and cooperation between the joint institutions in the service of the Arabic language.
The program contained a number of scientific sessions and papers, where the first scientific session was chaired by Dr. Osman Ibrahim from the Faculty of Languages, SUST, during which three papers were presented.
The first paper, titled "Sudanese Literature and its Role in Promoting Identity", was presented by Prof. Al-Hussein Al-Nour Yousif, Professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Khartoum, member of the Arabic Language Academy in Khartoum. He excelled in providing the paper with eloquent evidence from Sudanese literature, comparing it with authentic Arabic evidence in the early ages, stressing that Sudanese literature is eloquent Arabic, referring to the Arab identity of the people of Sudan.
The second paper, titled "Language skills and characteristics of transmission and reception", was presented by Prof Mubarak Najm El-Din, a professor at SUST, explaining the integration of language skills and enumerating the methods of communicating the message between the sender and the receiver, enumerating the methods that contribute to stabilizing and mastering language skills by providing the ingredients in sending, receiving and receiving, content and environment.
The last paper was presented by Prof Mohamad Ali Ahmed, a professor at SUST. The paper titled "Language and Culture in Building Identity", in which he explained the importance of language in societies and its association with culture, which contributes greatly to distinguishing the identity of society and its nationality, explaining that the Arabic language has increased its uniqueness and the status of its association with Islamic identity, which distinguished it from other languages.
Before the end of the celebration program, a number of discussants and commentators had the opportunity, whose additions were fruitful and complementary to the presented material.