Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, underlined the great significance of completing and publishing the 127-volume Arabic historical corpus. This monumental achievement, admired throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds, is a source of national pride for the UAE, as language embodies a nation’s knowledge, history and civilization.
Sheikh Sultan would like to express his condolences to the researchers, scholars and all those involved in this important project, which spanned seven years of continuous work day and night, to bring immeasurable benefits to future generations. He praised his tireless efforts.
Get exclusive content on Gulf News WhatsApp channel
He made these remarks during a lecture commemorating the completion of the 127-volume Arabic historical corpus held at Al Qasimi Publishing Headquarters on Monday. During the event, Sharjah Ruler signed the final volume.
He also launched the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, a series of volumes that cover all Arabic terminology across various fields of knowledge and serve as a comprehensive repository for the Arabic language and are accessible to all. announced.
In his speech, Sheikh Sultan emphasized the importance and purpose of the corpus and congratulated the Arab world on this great achievement, stating that this is the duty of every individual belonging to this country.
Sheikh Sultan said, “The Arabic language encompasses all sciences and knowledge, and this corpus is the vessel that preserves them. That is why we are proud of this language.” He emphasized that the work will continue. He said continued efforts are needed to ensure lasting benefits.
He also said that all volumes of the historical corpus will be available at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in November, as well as online for researchers, scholars and educators around the world.
Encyclopedia project begins in Sharjah
The Ruler of Sharjah further elaborated that the work on creating a comprehensive Arabic encyclopedia will begin immediately, which will include all information in the fields of science, literature, art and eminent personalities, excluding only foreign words and foreign words. He said it will be comprehensive, incorporating Arabic terminology. Protect the integrity of the language.
He emphasized that the same meticulous methodology used to create the historical corpus will be applied to the encyclopedia. Sheikh Sultan recalled that linguists from different countries worked diligently day and night on computers and paper, carefully recording their findings.
Their works were later reviewed and organized by editors before being sent to the Arabic Academy in Sharjah, and then to Al Qasimi Publishing for final printing. The result is a collection of beautifully crafted books designed using the best techniques in publishing and binding, and designed to be easy to read without straining the eyes.
The ruler of Sharjah was determined to complete the encyclopedia, even if it grew to 500 volumes. It will also be published online for easy access to everyone. Sheikh Sultan emphasized that extensive efforts are underway to educate, preserve and promote the Arabic language, including the establishment of cultural centers in Europe and Africa.
“This encyclopedia will enrich the world. Now we are laying the foundations, but we also have another obligation: to reform our audience. This is extremely important, and we will continue to work in schools, on the streets, I also address this on billboards. I will leave any mistakes uncorrected because we have a responsibility to the Arab and Islamic world and to those who love the Arabic language, both in the East and in the West. This is why we have started establishing cultural centers in Europe and are also working on reviving research institutes in Africa.โ
Sheikh Sultan further emphasized the importance of accurate and undistorted knowledge, as a comprehensive Arabic encyclopedia will be the basis of Arabic cultural centers around the world.