Doha, December 22 (QNA) - The Ceremony marking the completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, which was attended by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Monday, crowned a long scholarly journey spanning several years. During this period, one of the largest Arabic linguistic projects of the modern era was accomplished, documenting the history of Arabic vocabulary and tracing its semantics evolution across the ages.

The large turnout of intellectuals, researchers, and academics from Qatar and across the Arab world at the ceremony underscored that the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language has become an Arab project with global resonance, positioning the Arabic language at the heart of contemporary linguistic debates and strengthening its presence in international academic research.

The notable Arab participation in the ceremony reflected the project's scholarly stature and significance.The event was attended by representatives of regional and international organizations, a distinguished group of Arabic linguists, heads of Arab language academies, and leading Orientalists specializing in Arabic linguistic studies, in addition to members of the Scientific Council of the Doha Historical Dictionary, its experts, and researchers who contributed to the completion of such exceptional lexicographical achievement.

The completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language represents a pivotal milestone in the trajectory of Arab linguistic research, as it offers a comprehensive historical dictionary that reveals semantic, morphological, and usage transformations of words over a span exceeding twenty centuries.

The ceremony featured speeches by officials and renowned scholarly and intellectual figures, who emphasized the uniqueness of the Doha Historical Dictionary and its meticulous documentation of the life of words within their temporal, epistemological, and civilizational contexts.

In this context, HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater affirmed in her address the central importance of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language and its effective role in supporting Arabic language education. She stressed the necessity of investing in major linguistic projects as a fundamental pillar for knowledge-building, safeguarding cultural identity, and reinforcing the status of the Arabic language in both the present and the future.

She added that the completion of the dictionary should not remain confined to being a pioneering linguistic project -important as it is- but should rather serve as a beginning and fertile ground for a broader civilizational renaissance project. She noted that the dictionary embodies seriousness and continuity, as well as the capacity for synthesis and authorship, at a time when sustained and rigorous intellectual work in the Arab world suffers from the absence of a viable market, amid what is often described as a seasonal condition in the Arab intellectual and cultural scene.

Her Excellency further emphasized that the dictionary's importance lies in several factors, including its seriousness and cumulative nature, the strength of its hosting institution with its prolific output, and the momentum of authorship, translation, and academic programs associated with it.

She noted that the dictionary succeeded in harmonizing differences among those working on it, despite their diverse backgrounds and affiliations with varying intellectual schools. For more than a decade, they united to accomplish a comprehensive and beneficial project within a rigorous methodological framework, opening unique and pioneering horizons of knowledge that previous generations had long sought to reach, in an Arab world where dialogue has long withered due to prevailing polarization.

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education added that the completion of the dictionary affirms that science remains expansive among its practitioners and continues to be possible in the Arab world, provided that resources are available and safe spaces for genuine dialogue, constructive intellectual engagement, scientific approaches, and serious, beneficial projects are ensured.

She also affirmed that Doha, which in the past extended its generous shade to thinkers, intellectuals, and creatives, is capable and well-positioned to play a role in the coming phase by hosting intellectual and renaissance-oriented projects that contribute to advancing the course of history in favor of the nation and contemporary humanity, whose innate nature rejects being reduced to a mere economic commodity.

For his part, Executive Director of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, Azeddine Bouchikhi stressed in his remarks the profound scientific and methodological importance of this pioneering lexicographical project, describing it as the product of cumulative institutional work carried out over many years.

He described the dictionary as "A rigorous scholarly endeavor characterized by its profound cognitive and historical depth, devoted to safeguarding the linguistic identity of the Arabic language, restoring the nation’s confidence in itself and in its capacities, and rekindling hope in the realization of its civilizational aspirations."

He stated that this achievement is the result of extensive scholarly effort and sustained cooperation among an elite group of scholars, researchers, and specialists in the Arabic language, emphasizing that it was not merely a conventional linguistic project, but rather a comprehensive intellectual vision dedicated to serving Arabic and documenting its history, as well as the evolution of its vocabulary and meanings across the ages.

He added that work on the dictionary faced major scientific and methodological challenges due to the multiplicity of sources and the diversity of linguistic usages, in addition to the need for meticulous verification of terminology across various scientific and cognitive fields. He noted that the team was keen to present precise scholarly material that meets the needs of researchers and those interested in the Arabic language.

Dr. Bouchikhi concluded by affirming that this achievement would not have seen the light without the concerted efforts and firm belief in the importance of serving the Arabic language, stressing the need to continue building upon what has been achieved so that the dictionary remains a dynamic and evolving project serving future generations. 

For his part, Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, emphasized the high scientific value of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, as well as its importance in the Arab and international cultural and linguistic landscape. He noted the dictionary's significant contribution to efforts aimed at serving the Arabic language.

In his address at the dictionary's completion ceremony, AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the State of Qatar and its wise leadership's support of this project, a gesture reflecting a deep commitment to culture and language. He affirmed the organization's readiness to support the dictionary with all its resources, so that its benefits may extend to all Arab and Islamic countries.

President of the Arabic Language Academy in Damascus Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Al Sayed, highlighted the pivotal role of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language in documenting the history of the Arabic language and serving lexicographical and linguistic research.

He pointed to the unprecedented scientific opportunities the dictionary offers researchers and scholars, calling for the advancement, development, and investment in the Arabic language to ensure it regains its rightful place in the fields of knowledge and scientific research.

In his address, General Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) Dr. Azmi Bishara, emphasized the importance of the cultural and intellectual dimension of this major Arabic linguistic project, underscoring its clear significance in demonstrating the capacity of institutional Arab scholarship to achieve long-term strategic knowledge projects.

He stressed the importance of the Doha Historical Dictionary, noting that it not only serves researchers and those interested in the Arabic language but also contributes to the development of Arabic applications for artificial intelligence.

In this context, he commended the State of Qatar for hosting this significant scholarly project, calling for support for linguistic and intellectual initiatives that serve the Arabic language and enhance its presence in the digital age.

During the ceremony, the new electronic portal for the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language was unveiled. This portal represents a qualitative leap in making historical lexicographical material accessible and reflects the dictionary's commitment to strengthening its digital presence and expanding the scope of its scholarly and research benefits.

The new portal is distinguished by its modern design and advanced technical structure, and the search and exploration tools it provides that enable users to easily and accurately trace the history of words and their meanings throughout the ages, serving researchers, students and those interested in the Arabic language, and enhancing the integration between lexicographical work and contemporary digital media.

The ceremony concluded in an atmosphere reflecting pride in this major Arab scientific achievement and optimism about the new horizons it opens for scientific research and the service of the Arabic language. Attendees emphasized that the completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language does not mark the end of a project, but rather the beginning of a new phase in employing this knowledge resource to serve the Arabic language and its future.

In this context, the completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language constitutes a qualitative contribution to rebuilding awareness of the history of Arabic, reinforcing its status as a living language capable of renewal, keeping pace with the requirements of the modern age, and actively participating in the global knowledge landscape. (QNA)