RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia held a ceremony to mark the World Arabic Language Day at “Galle Face” Hotel, Colombo on Wednesday, 18th December 2024. The ceremony was attended by a number of prominent Ministers and Members of Parliament, including Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment as a Guest of Honour, government officials from a number of Ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heads of the Diplomatic missions, Islamic leaders, and media personnel.
During this ceremony, His Excellency the Deputy Head of the Mission, Minister Plenipotentiary Abdul-Elah Orkobi, delivered a speech in which he explained the Kingdom’s interest in the Arabic language – the language of Holy Qur’an, since the era of the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, until the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Kingdom’s efforts to spread and promote the Arabic language inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through establishing universities and institutes and launching many initiatives and programs to teach the Arabic language, as well as establishing the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language to serve the classical Arabic language regionally and globally, spread and empower it, and maintain its integrity.
Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, also delivered a speech in which he praised the efforts of the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in spreading and promoting the Arabic language inside and outside the Kingdom through the establishment of the King Salman International Academy for Arabic Language.
Dr. Razik Abdul Majeed, Head of the Department of Arabic, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, and Professor Mohamed Saleem, Senior Lecturer, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Peradeniya, also gave speeches on this occasion in which they explained the status of the Arabic language and the importance of celebrating the International Day as well as the role of the Arabic language in the renaissance of nations in general, especially the European Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, in which Arabic knowledge was transferred to other cultures, and its role in spreading Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies in the Renaissance era, praising the interest and care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, by serving the classical Arabic language regionally and globally, spreading and empowering it, preserving its integrity, and establishing the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language to support and strengthen the Arabic language.
During this ceremony, video clips were shown highlighting the valuable efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in spreading the Arabic language – the language of the Holy Qur’an, and its value, status and beauty inside and outside the Kingdom. Tables were also placed in a corner of the hotel’s ceremony hall with participation of a number of professional calligraphers to display the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, which attracted the attention and interest of the distinguished guests significantly.
