By ; Mohamed El Kholy

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) celebrated World Arabic Language Day 2020 through several virtual activities. This is part of its efforts to enhance national identity among its staff and encourage them to use Arabic.

The activities included employee newsletters with information on Arabic, competitions to test their knowledge of the language, unifying the internal digital screens to celebrate the occasion; and using hashtag #bilarabi on DEWA’s social media pages.

In a message sent to DEWA staff, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that the UAE attaches great importance to Arabic. The wise leadership strives to establish the UAE as a global centre of excellence for Arabic through several pioneering initiatives.

“HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, ‘Our national identity is integrally linked to the Arabic language, which serves as an effective medium to express our values, culture and heritage.

Promoting the language will enable our future generations to connect with our roots, society and values more effectively.’ At DEWA, we prioritise Arabic as a national duty and a key factor to support national identity and consolidate the foundation for a society that has a shared identity.

Thsis includes religion, language, culture, and heritage. DEWA launches several initiatives and programmes to promote the use of Arabic, especially as a language for the future, science, innovation, and culture,” said Al Tayer.

“On World Arabic Language Day, we renew our commitment to supporting Arabic and promoting its use. This consolidates our national identity and our heritage.

I urge you to support Arabic, the language of the Holy Qur’an, the language of our ancestors, and the foundation of our civilisation and identity, by mastering it, enhancing its content, and making reading a daily habit.

I also urge my colleagues who do not speak Arabic to start learning it and make use of the training courses DEWA provides to learn its beauty, with its rich vocabulary and expressions,” said Al Tayer addressing DEWA staff.