Paris: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a Supreme Council Member and the Ruler of Sharjah, was awarded a distinguished UNESCO honour upon the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language.
According to Emirates News Agency, at the official ceremony held at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, themed 'Arabic Language: A Bridge Between Heritage and Knowledge', H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), was present, along with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
Upon his arrival at UNESCO headquarters, His Highness was received and welcomed by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO; Fahd Saeed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to France; Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah's Department of Culture; Jamal Al-Turaifi, President of Al Qasimia University; Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority; Ali Al-Haj Al Ali, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; and Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.
His Highness The Ruler of Sharjah delivered a speech during the ceremony, stating, 'It is my honour to stand among you today in this esteemed cultural forum at UNESCO, whose noble mission we revere and whose fruitful partnership we cherish. Together, we commemorate a groundbreaking scholarly and cultural milestone-the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language. This occasion is further enriched by its coincidence with the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a day designated by UNESCO to promote mutual understanding and respect among cultures, reinforcing our collective humanity.'
His Highness subsequently emphasised the contributions of the partner institutions that played a role in the creation of the dictionary, stating, 'Sharjah, through its Arabic Language Academy and in collaboration with the Union of Arab Scientific and Language Academies in Cairo, along with linguistic academies, institutes, and institutions throughout the Arab world, succeeded in the completion of this dictionary in one hundred and twenty-seven volumes, as you see before you both in print and online.' He extended appreciation to the numerous researchers and proofreaders from various Arab nations whose dedication made the accomplishment achievable.
Highlighting the significance of the Arabic language, His Highness noted its historical role as a language of communication for philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals, and its enduring mission across domains of knowledge. He stressed the importance of recognising the evolution of languages and cultural diversity, asserting the right of every language to existence and progress.
His Highness expressed gratitude to UNESCO for recognising the dictionary and for the collaborative initiatives between Sharjah and the organisation. He called for unity to enhance cultural dialogue and ensure that every culture's voice is acknowledged.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, praised Sharjah's investments in areas aligning with UNESCO's mission, recognising Sharjah as a global centre of knowledge and culture. She acknowledged Sharjah's numerous cultural awards and initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and collaboration with UNESCO.
Azoulay commended the completion of the Historical Dictionary, acknowledging its entry in the Guinness World Records as the largest historical dictionary with 127 volumes. She underscored the Arabic language's adaptability and its global importance, referencing the semantic exploration of the word "peace".
At the ceremony's conclusion, His Highness signed a copy of the dictionary, presenting it as a gift to UNESCO.