Riyadh Declaration stresses Arabic as bastion of Arab identity

The Riyadh Declaration issued on Tuesday at the end of the 19th conference of the Arab ministers in charge of cultural affairs has called for further attention to Arabic language as the bastion of Arab identity.
Arabic must enjoy a special status in the Arab cultural policies, as the pillar of the identity, so that it can be shifted from national plans to the level of an Arab strategy, the Declaration demanded.
It also urged openness of Arabic to act as basis for human cultural integration, through consolidating its presence in the world digital content, and bolstering translation from and into the language.
In addition, it recommended the use of modern methods and techniques for teaching it, supporting creativity in Arabic, in a bid to realize integration with other human cultures.
The Declaration bears a call to develop the UN Arabic Language Day into an occasion to disseminate knowledge about Arab creativity and culture, both at home and overseas, broadening communication and dialogue with the world to open up fresh prospects for a positive and constructive interaction.
It stressed the leading role by Saudi Arabia for spreading toleration and dialogue among various cultures, and condemned in the meantime all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism that tarnish the noble message of human cultures.
According to the Declaration, the Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) should build partnership with the Vienna-based King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID). It also applauded ALESCO efforts to promote Arabic and bolster Intercultural dialogue.