In the packed amphitheater of the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Philosophy, a formal opening ceremony of the event “Month of the Arabic Language” in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was held.
The prestigious event, organized in cooperation with the International Academy for the Arabic Language “King Salman” from Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), brought together numerous academic, cultural and public figures, high school students from several BiH cities, as well as other enthusiasts of the Arabic language, highlighting the strong cultural and educational ties between BiH and the Arab world.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of BiH and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after which the participants were greeted by representatives of the hosts and organizers.
The opening remarks were given by the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimovic, who emphasized the long-standing tradition and importance of studying the Arabic language at the University.
After that, the Secretary General of the International Academy for the Arabic Language, “King Salman,” Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, addressed the audience, stressing the significance of cultural and linguistic exchange.
“This event is not only a bridge between languages, but also a bridge between cultures and peoples, which will strengthen the ties between the academic community of BiH and the Arab world,” said Al-Washmi.
After the speeches, the activities of the University of Sarajevo and the International Academy for the Arabic Language “King Salman” were presented to the attendees.
A rich cultural program enhanced the ceremony, including a short play and a presentation by the Center for Arabic Language “Abjad,” a musical performance, and a moving recitation of Arabic poetry, which brought the beauty and richness of Arabic culture closer to the audience.
The ceremony also featured the awarding of recognitions, as honors were presented to the most prominent individuals and institutions in the field of promoting the Arabic language.
In addition, the winners of the competitions were announced in the categories of essay writing, reciting Arabic poetry, and Arabic calligraphy.
The event was also marked by a symbolic exchange of gifts between the high-ranking guests and the hosts, which further confirmed the strength of the partnership relations.
A detailed review of the event and the cooperation between the two institutions was given by Prof. Dr. Mirza Sarajkic, head of the Department of Arabic Language at the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Philosophy, whose statement is presented in full.
As a Department with almost eight decades of uninterrupted work at the University of Sarajevo, we are proud to participate in organizing the conference within the framework of the “Month of the Arabic Language” event.
Our tradition of Arabic studies and comparative studies has shaped generations of teachers, translators, and researchers, with results visible in numerous studies, scientific projects, publications, and international collaborations. With yesterday’s program, we confirm the Department’s strategic commitment to remain connected with the most prestigious centers of the Arabic language and culture and to systematically integrate contemporary methodologies and technologies into the curriculum and research.
In that sense, cooperation with the “King Salman” Academy holds a special place. The Academy stands out with its global reach and innovative range: from educational programs, teacher training, curricular tools, and the standardized “Hamza” exam to the development of digital platforms and linguistic resources available beyond the Arab world, which is essential for improving the quality of teaching and certification of competencies in an international environment.
Although in general we view with caution the latest trends in linking linguistics with artificial intelligence and computational linguistics.
In 2024, the Academy established the first specialized center for AI and Arabic language processing (ARAI) with five advanced laboratories (AI, data and resource preparation, acoustics and visual solutions, VR/AR, research laboratory). This step accelerates the development of tools, standards, and applications for the Arabic language and enables the capacity building of researchers, teachers, and industrial partners in line with global practices.
The Academy also leads in global mappings of Arabic language teaching: the latest international report on the state of Arabic teaching in 30 countries brings data from more than 300 educational institutions and provides guidelines for policies, curriculum, and networking of Arabists, which is also valuable for the education system of BiH.
I thank the Secretary General, Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, for his support and partnership, as well as the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose assistance made possible the completion of the University Library of the University of Sarajevo.
The organization was selflessly supported by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimovic, and the Dean, Prof. Dr. Adnan Busuladzic – I thank them for their institutional support.
Colleague Suada Muharemovic and colleague Almin Mahmutovic, together with colleague Mirnes Duranovic, are the most deserving for the preparation of both the program of the event and the students for the competitions.
In the end, the greatest reward is the students’ achievements – they achieved exceptional success by winning three first, second, and third places in various disciplines: knowledge of the Arabic language, Arabic literature, and Arabic calligraphy. As the guests and awards have shown, the students of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature belong to the very top of Arabists at the international level.
These achievements confirm that the combination of tradition, international partnership, and modern technologies yields results and obliges the Department to continue to be a regional stronghold of excellence in Arabic language and literature studies.
The event “Month of the Arabic Language” continues in the coming period with a rich program of workshops, lectures, and cultural events, thereby continuing the promotion and strengthening of the position of the Arabic language both in the academic community and in the wider public of BiH, Klix.ba writes.
