The Algerian Embassy in Dhaka celebrated the International Arabic Language Day 2025 at its embassy premises on Sunday (December 21, 2025). The event was attended by dignitaries from various professions, including diplomats, academics, technologists, journalists, business leaders, Islamic thinkers, students and members of Bangladesh Scouts.
At the beginning of the discussion, Algerian Ambassador Abdelouahab Saidani congratulated the guests present in Bangladesh and said that it was “a great honor” for him to welcome everyone on the occasion of the International Arabic Language Day. He noted that the day, celebrated on December 18 of each year, commemorates the recognition of Arabic as the sixth official language by the United Nations in 1973.
“Language is the interpreter of the soul of a nation,” the Ambassador said. As one of the main languages of civilization, the Arabic language has carried science, philosophy and culture across centuries and continents. However, in today’s rapidly changing digital and technological world, the key question is not whether the Arabic language will survive, but how it will lead. The leadership of the Arabic language today depends on its effective integration with technology and the preservation of its cultural depth and uniqueness.
The ambassador added that this year’s theme—“The Arabic Language: The Age of New Communication Technologies and the ICT Revolution—Challenges and Opportunities”—finds the answer to this challenge. He emphasized, “In every challenge lies the seed of opportunity. It is the joint responsibility of our institutions, teachers and technology creators to ensure that the Arabic language remains influential and alive in the digital age.”
He highlighted some of Algeria’s important initiatives. He said that Algeria is working to strengthen the Arabic language at all levels of education, so that it remains the language of science, research and critical thinking. In addition, the digitization of the Arabic language, linguistic research, and integration with modern technology are being encouraged through universities and research centers.
The ambassador said, “Cultural organizations are supporting Arabic literature, publishing, and translation nationally and internationally. We are increasing dialogue among students and innovators through academic forums, language competitions, and cultural exchanges. Preserving the Arabic language does not mean keeping it out of modernity, but rather making it the language of future science, technology, creativity, and digital innovation.”
He also noted that Algeria supports multilingualism, where Arabic, in combination with other languages, serves as a bridge for global cooperation. Ambassador Abdelouahab Saidani concluded his remarks by saying, “As the poet Mahmoud Darwish said, ‘Identity is not inherited; it is developed.’ Languages are also developed through use, innovation, and shared responsibility.”
The Ambassador invited everyone present to make this day memorable and announced that the symposium titled “Arabic Language – The Era of New Technologies, Information and Technology Revolution: Challenges and Prospects” was inaugurated. He wished the event success.
Professor Dr. Ruhul Amin, Department of Arabic, University of Dhaka, delivered an important scholarly presentation. He described Arabic as a language of civilization and faith, highlighting its historical journey and contemporary relevance. He recalled President Boumedienne’s speech in Arabic at the United Nations in 1974 as a unique milestone in ensuring the recognition of Arabic as an official language of the United Nations. At the same time, he discussed the challenges and prospects facing the Arabic language in the era of digital communication, artificial intelligence and online education and called for greater investment in technology, digital content and youth engagement to maintain the vitality of Arabic in the modern world.
A special attraction of the event was the speech of four child students from Algeria, where they deeply impressed all those present by highlighting the importance and beauty of the Arabic language. In addition, a short documentary was screened to mark Arabic Language Day, presenting the historical legacy of the language and its growing role in the digital age.
Through this celebration, the Embassy of Algeria in Bangladesh reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting the Arabic language as a living and dynamic medium of knowledge, dialogue and innovation—one that is firmly rooted in tradition yet actively connected to the future.
