An Egyptian initiative dubbed Etkallem Araby (“Speak Arabic”) will be incorporated within the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) celebration of World Arabic Language Day on 18 December, according to a statement released by Egypt's Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Ministry on Wednesday.
Earlier today, Emigration Minister Nabila Makram received Ghaith Fariz, the director of UNESCO’s regional bureau for sciences in Arab states, in Cairo to discuss means of reinforcing cooperation between the international organisation and the ministry as part of the aforementioned initiative.
The initiative, which is being implemented by the ministry under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, aims to solidify the Arab-Egyptian identity among Egyptians abroad, the statement added.
During the meeting, Makram said the ministry came up with the Speak Arabic initiative while holding its ongoing conversations with the second and third generations of Egyptian expats, where it was discovered that most of them could not speak Arabic.
The Emigration ministry seeks to communicate with Egyptians abroad, especially second and third generations expats, with the aim of linking them to their motherland.
Makram added the move aims to preserve the Arab and Egyptian identity and culture via a number of activities and events meant to educate Egyptians abroad, especially the new generations, about the language and Egyptian customs and traditions.
The minister announced her participation in the event the UNESCO will organise in celebration of World Arabic Language Day in December to speak about the Egyptian initiative.
Makram and Fariz agreed to include the initiative in UNESCO's celebration of World Arabic Language Day to promote it regionally.
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