World Arabic Language Day is an international day celebrated annually on December 18, highlighting the cultural, historical, and social importance of Arabic. Officially proclaimed by UNESCO in 2012, it is linked to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly's decision on December 18, 1973, to recognize Arabic as the sixth official and working language of the UN.

Purpose and Importance

This day aims to highlight Arabic's contribution to world culture and its historical role. Through these celebrations, UNESCO emphasizes not only a language but also the cultural diversity enriched by language and the importance of multilingualism. Arabic plays a central role in ensuring social cohesion, knowledge production, and the spread of peace and mutual understanding.

History

On December 18, 1973, the UN General Assembly recognized Arabic as the sixth official language. In 2012, UNESCO officially announced World Arabic Language Day to celebrate Arabic being declared an official language of the UN. In 2021, calligraphy was included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, an initiative aimed at promoting the aesthetic and artistic aspects of Arabic at the international level. The theme for 2023 was set as “Arabic – Language of Poetry and Art,” highlighting the poetic and artistic aspects of Arabic. The theme for 2024 has been announced as “Arabic and Artificial Intelligence: Preserving Cultural Heritage While Fostering Innovation,” with the goal of increasing the representation of Arabic in digital content and preserving cultural heritage.

Cultural and Historical Contributions

Arabic played a catalytic role in spreading ancient Greek and Roman science and philosophy to the European Renaissance, supporting intercultural dialogue along the Silk Road from the coasts of India to the Horn of Africa. Throughout history, important figures and works have shaped the intellectual and artistic heritage of Arabic. These figures include the poets Abu Nuwas and Omar Khayyam, the poet Al-Hansā’, the philosopher and physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and the philosopher Ibn Rushd (Averroes).

UNESCO's Role

UNESCO undertakes various initiatives to preserve and promote Arabic. It encourages the use of Arabic within the organization through the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Program. It increases the prevalence of Arabic by supporting cultural exchanges and events and increases the number of translations of UNESCO publications into Arabic.

Cultural Diversity and Peace

UNESCO emphasizes the contribution of Arabic to cultural diversity and multilingualism. Linguistic diversity and different perspectives are considered fundamental elements of sustainable peace and cultural richness. World Arabic Language Day is celebrated with this awareness, highlighting the value of both the language and the cultures that carry it.