We are pleased to announce that Bilal Al-Omar, Senior Lecturer of Arabic at The Africa Institute (GSU), has recently published a significant Arabic translation in the Arabic Journal for Translation Studies (AJTS), a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Democratic Arab Center for Strategic, Political and Economic Studies in Germany.
This translation brings into Arabic an open letter co-authored by prominent African novelists Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Kenya) and Boubacar Boris Diop (Senegal), addressed to Senegal’s newly elected president, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, following his 2024 election. The letter offers a compelling critique of linguistic and intellectual colonialism in Africa and advocates for a transformative shift in national language and cultural policies. Specifically, it calls for the adoption of African indigenous languages as official state languages to restore cultural identity, promote independence, and build more equitable international relationships.
Al-Omar’s work reflects his expertise in postcolonial studies, modern Arabic literature, and language pedagogy. Before joining The Africa Institute, he taught at Cornell University and Jerash University, developing curricula and coordinating language programs. Currently, he is developing innovative resources to support modern Arabic literature studies for non-native speakers. Read his full biography here.
The publication underscores the vital role of language in postcolonial identity and development—core themes within The Africa Institute’s African Languages and Translation Program. Our program offers comprehensive courses that integrate literary scholarship with practical language instruction, preparing students to engage critically with African languages and cultures.
We invite you to explore the full Arabic translation of this important open letter in the Arabic Journal for Translation Studies.
Learn more about our community language certifications and academic programs.
We are pleased to announce that Bilal Al-Omar, Senior Lecturer of Arabic at The Africa Institute (GSU), has recently published a significant Arabic translation in the Arabic Journal for Translation Studies (AJTS), a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Democratic Arab Center for Strategic, Political and Economic Studies in Germany.
We are pleased to announce that Bilal Al-Omar, Senior Lecturer of Arabic at The Africa Institute (GSU), has recently published a significant Arabic translation in the Arabic Journal for Translation Studies (AJTS), a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Democratic Arab Center for Strategic, Political and Economic Studies in Germany.
This translation brings into Arabic an open letter co-authored by prominent African novelists Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Kenya) and Boubacar Boris Diop (Senegal), addressed to Senegal’s newly elected president, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, following his 2024 election. The letter offers a compelling critique of linguistic and intellectual colonialism in Africa and advocates for a transformative shift in national language and cultural policies. Specifically, it calls for the adoption of African indigenous languages as official state languages to restore cultural identity, promote independence, and build more equitable international relationships.
Al-Omar’s work reflects his expertise in postcolonial studies, modern Arabic literature, and language pedagogy. Before joining The Africa Institute, he taught at Cornell University and Jerash University, developing curricula and coordinating language programs. Currently, he is developing innovative resources to support modern Arabic literature studies for non-native speakers. Read his full biography here.
The publication underscores the vital role of language in postcolonial identity and development—core themes within The Africa Institute’s African Languages and Translation Program. Our program offers comprehensive courses that integrate literary scholarship with practical language instruction, preparing students to engage critically with African languages and cultures.
We invite you to explore the full Arabic translation of this important open letter in the Arabic Journal for Translation Studies.
Learn more about our community language certifications and academic programs.
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