Shura Council Discusses Activation of Law No 7 of 2019 on Protecting Arabic Language

Arabic Language Protection Law

The Shura Council held Monday its weekly session, chaired by HE the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem.

At the outset of the meeting, HE the Secretary-General of the Council Ahmed bin Nasser al-Fadhala read out the meeting's agenda. Last meeting's minutes were also ratified.

After that, the Council discussed the activation of Law No 7 of 2019 regarding the protection of the Arabic language, in the presence of HE the Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, and HE the former minister of education Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Turki al-Subaie.

The session was also attended by a number of professors, academics, citizens and those interested in supporting the Arabic language.

The law stipulates that all governmental and non-governmental agencies are obligated to protect and support the Arabic language in all their activities and events.

It also stipulates that ministries, other government agencies, educational and public bodies and institutions are obligated to use the Arabic language in their meetings and discussions, and in all decisions they issue, as well as regulations, instructions, documents, contracts, correspondence, labels, programs, publications, visual, audio or read advertisements and other transactions, with the aim of preserving the Arabic language, and strengthening its role.

In this context, HE the Speaker stressed the importance of the issue related to the law.

He highlighted that it was of interest to various sectors, authorities and state institutions.

He also noted that the community's interaction with this issue necessitated its presentation and discussion during this session, in addition to hosting specialists of national competencies to express their observations and views on implementing the law as well as the most important obstacles facing this matter, so that the council can take the appropriate decision in this regard.

For her part, HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti said that the law's discussion came to implement it and enhance the use of the Arabic language, which is at the core of the national identity, as well as the culture and heritage of Qatar.

In the same context, a number of Council members praised the law, stressing that it represents the national identity Qatar and that there is no obstacle for all concerned parties to implement it.

They highlighted the importance of having oversight procedures to follow up on the implementation of the law, stressing the need to control education outcomes, and that private educational institutions pay attention to aspects of teaching the Arabic language.

They also pointed out the central role of the family in promoting and protecting the Arabic language.

They stressed the importance of concerted efforts between the Council and the competent authorities in the State.

They noted that Qatar is a pioneer in issuing such a law, which aims to protect and promote the Arabic language, stressing the need to pay attention to education and teachers, enhance their role and provide them with the capabilities to perform their role to the fullest and overcome all the difficulties they face.

For his part, HE Dr al-Kawari said that promoting the Arabic language helps protect cultural and national security, which are just as important as political and economic security.

He pointed out that the process of renaissance and development experienced by the Gulf countries and Qatar in particular, necessitated the presence of many cultures and languages in society, and that this situation, despite the presence of positive aspects to it, has negative aspects that should not be overlooked regarding these languages and cultures.

He stressed the importance of the family's role and the mother in raising children and teaching them the Arabic language, and the importance of simplifying the teaching of the Arabic language according to modern methods.

For his part, HE al-Subaie highlighted the importance of the discussion, stressing that the designated authorities must interfere in order to ensure the Arabic language is taught in a modern way, promote the use of Arabic in the primary stage, and put strict standards for choosing its teachers.

At the end of the discussion, the Council referred the issue to the Cultural and Information Committee to set controls and visions to activate the implementation of the aforementioned law.

After that, the Council approved a decision to establish a temporary committee to study and analyse the electoral programmes submitted by candidates to the Shura Council during the election period.

HE the Deputy Speaker said that these electoral programmes were the pillars of the election campaigns, highlighting that many of the ideas mentioned in these programmes could be useful.

She also noted that there are popular demands reflected in those programs that are important to citizens.

Afterwards, HE the Speaker informed the members that Law No 2 of 2007 on the housing system was referred to the Services and the Public Utilities Committee to examine the challenges facing its implementation, and put the appropriate mechanisms to overcome those challenges.

Source: Qatar News Agency