Cairo: The Arab League’s Secretariat General hosted a celebratory handover ceremony for the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Award for Creativity in Serving the Arabic Language. The event, marking the award’s first edition, highlighted significant contributions to Arabic language initiatives.

According to Kuwait News Agency, Hassan Al-Nahas received an award of USD 40,000 for his project, “Wonders in the Arabic language computing.” Additionally, the King Salman International Complex for the Arabic Language was granted USD 60,000 in the foundations’ category for its contributions to planning and linguistic policies.

In a keynote address, Ahmad Al-Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, emphasized the importance of developing a unified Arab strategy to enhance the status of the Arabic language globally. The award, he noted, serves as a tribute to the late Kuwaiti poet Abdulaziz Al-Babtain, a significant figure in Arab intellectual and cultural circles.

Al-Yamahi discussed the current challenges facing the Arabic language, including its declining usage, the increasing use of foreign terms, and the dominance of foreign languages in education and scientific research. He also highlighted the inadequate use of Arabic in digital contexts.

Saud Abdulaziz Al-Babtain, Chairperson of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Arabic language worldwide. He stated that the collaboration with the Arab Parliament aligns with their ongoing efforts to bolster the language’s role on the global stage.

The award was announced on May 31, 2024, with nominations open until November 15, 2024.