RIYADH: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has begun a new initiative to develop the Arabic language skills of non-native speakers on international scholarships at the university.
The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively in various cultural and professional settings, officials at IMSIU told Arab News.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language and its role in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
“This initiative comes within the framework of the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to highlighting the status of the Arabic language and its culture globally,” he said.
“The university is working to employ interdisciplinary academic disciplines to serve the Arabic language and provide language services to government and private sectors, enhancing institutional and cultural communication.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector of IMSIU for education affairs, told Arab News: “Investing in Arabic language education represents a cultural responsibility that requires continuous interaction with changing circumstances of the era.”
“The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to enhance the status of the Arabic language as an essential part of national and cultural identity,” he said.
Dr. Khaled Al-Khara’n, dean of the College of Arabic Language at IMSIU, explained that the initiative targets international scholarship students from around the world.
“It seeks to promote the learning of Arabic as a living language capable of expressing authentic Arab culture,” he said.
“The initiative includes a set of enrichment programs aimed at developing students’ linguistic and creative skills, including training them in creative writing, publishing poetry collections, and engaging them in national and international events.”
Mohammed Al-Ammar, director of the initiative, said that it is part of the university’s efforts to prepare a generation of students proficient in Arabic language skills capable of communicating globally in creative and influential ways.
“IMSIU is working to expand the scope of the Arabic language’s influence academically and culturally, reflecting its commitment to representing national cultural identity,” Al-Ammar said.
“The initiative seeks to build bridges of communication with scholarship graduates to enhance the future impact of the Arabic language in their countries.
“With such steps, IMSIU is contributing to consolidating the status of Arabic as a global language and enhancing its presence in the international cultural scene,” he said.
Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students
https://arab.news/rhn7g
Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students
- The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively
- Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language
Carved by time: Saudi Arabia’s hidden geotourism gem of Razan
- Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment
- This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road
AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom's west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story. This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink, but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water, and time.
Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.
The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.
The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion. Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
Nature’s infrastructure
But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins. These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.
This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.
Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.
As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites like Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.
