World Arabic Language Day

In celebration of World Arabic Language Day, The Africa Institute is pleased to invite you to join our virtual program on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, at 2:00 PM GST.

World Arabic Language Day is observed annually on December 18, declared by UNESCO since 2012 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Arabic being named one of the six official UN languages.

The program includes (in order):

• Lecture by Dr. Fuad Abdul Muttaleb, Professor of English Literature and Criticism, Jerash University, Jordan on the history and current challenges of Arabic focusing on its role in Arab identity and unity and the balance between national heritage and global trends. (Language: English)
• Dr. Ishraga Hamid, a writer, political scientist, translator, and publicist will share her emotional and thought-provoking poetry, offering insights into human experiences through the lens of Arabic poetic tradition. (Language: Arabic and English)
• Film Screening of “Less than an Hour,” (13 minutes) by Egyptian writer, filmmaker, and critic, Mamdouh Hebeshy will add a narrative dimension, portraying the impact of parental separation on children in Egyptian society. (Language: Arabic with English subtitles) 

The virtual program will be moderated by Bilal Al-Omar, Senior Lecturer of Arabic in the African Languages and Translation Program at The Africa Institute.

The event will serve as a solid platform to delve into the discussions on the Arabic language’s influence on shaping knowledge, and societal transformations while fostering cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.

The 2023 edition of the World Arabic Language Day highlights language’s importance in reuniting for a constructive dialogue, shaping perceptions, and cultivating understanding in the current global landscape marked by uncertainties and turbulence.

Speakers

Fuad Abdul Muttaleb

Faud Abdul Muttaleb is a Professor of English Literature and Criticism at the Department of English and Translation at Jerash University, Jordan. His research interests involve all the areas he is teaching in. He completed postdoctoral research in comparative studies at Essex University in 2009 and in comparative drama at Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1993-94. Muttaleb obtained his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Essex, United Kingdom, in 1989. His publications include books, articles, and translations in both Arabic and English. He participated in a number of local, regional, and international literary, cultural, and translation conferences and symposiums. He taught at several universities in the Arab World, including Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. He had several academic administrative responsibilities, including head of the Department of English, dean of the Faculty of Arts, dean of research and postgraduate studies, and director of the languages center.

Ishraga Hamid

Ishraga Hamid is a writer, political scientist, translator, and publicist. She studied in both Sudan and Austria. She completed her doctorate at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Vienna, focusing on the liberation processes of African women in Vienna. During her earlier years, Hamid actively participated in the Sudanese women’s movement and worked as a journalist. After the military coup in 1989, she had to leave the country for Austria as an opposition member. She established the first Black Women’s Community in Vienna, and she advocates for individuals with a migrant background and represents Arabic literature in the Austrian PEN Club. As an author, Hamid has published over ten books in various languages and has undertaken translations into both Arabic and German. Her dedicated efforts were recognized with the Golden Decoration of Merit from the State of Vienna for her outstanding commitment.

Mamdouh Hebeshy

Hebeshy is an Egyptian writer, filmmaker, and critic, brings a wealth of experience in literature and folk culture. With published works including a collection of short stories and a book on independent Egyptian cinema, Hebeshy’s expertise extends to directing award-winning films and producing feature-length documentaries. He was also the 2023 Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellow at The Africa Institute.

Moderator

Bilal Al-Omar

Bilal Al-Omar is a Senior Lecturer of Arabic in the African Languages and Translation Program at The Africa Institute. Prior to this role, Al-Omar was a Lecturer of Arabic Language and Literature at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York (2017 to 2022). He has taught a diverse range of courses at Cornell University including Modern Arabic Literature, Current Events in Arabic Media, Elementary Arabic I/II, Intermediate Arabic I/II, and Advanced Arabic I/II. He has worked and been affiliated with Jerash University, Jordan as an Assistant Professor of Comparative and Modern Arabic Literature teaching courses in Comparative Literature in Arabic, Modern Arabic Poetry, and Modern Arabic Prose. Additionally, he served as the coordinator of the Academic Quality Department at the Faculty of Arts at Jerash University. Read more.