Doha: BilAraby initiative, launched by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, has announced a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural, and intellectual activities for its inaugural summit scheduled for April 19-20 at the Education City Student Center.
According to Qatar News Agency, the summit will be hosted by journalist Ahmad Fakhouri and Qatari debater Moza Khaled Al Hajri, who holds the title of "Best Speaker in the World." It will feature a musical performance by Tunisian artist Lotfi Bouchnak, delivering inspiring humanitarian messages, alongside a narrative session by Yemeni blogger Fidauddin Al Khashi, exploring historical and social issues. Additionally, Egyptian maestro Mustafa Said will present a show intertwining Arabic music with the language itself.
A special session on Arab podcasting will also be held, with contributions from Mohammed Al Ramash of Atheer Podcast and Bishr Al Najjar of Moonbat Podcast - Sowt. Accompanying events will emphasize methods to develop Arabic content and foster innovation in the region. Through exploratory sessions and panel discussions, the summit will highlight the role of the Arabic language across various creative domains, including arts, technology, science, and innovation.
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Qatar Foundation, Hisham Nourin, expressed his delight at the significant interest in registering for the summit, pointing out that this reflects growing enthusiasm for strengthening the role of Arabic in innovation and creativity. He stated that this summit represents a unique opportunity to shed light on ambitious ideas and creative initiatives aimed at enhancing and elevating Arabic content to align with global advancements. He added that he believes these events will serve as an important driver for the growth of the Arab knowledge community and its role in the digital economy and innovation.
Nourin stressed that through discussions and interactive workshops, they seek to create a dialogical environment that encourages knowledge and experience exchange, thereby enhancing the Arabic language's position in a rapidly evolving global context. Qatar Foundation recognizes the importance of cultural and educational initiatives in preparing the next generation to address future challenges, and looks forward to this summit building cultural and intellectual bridges among participants from around the world.
The summit will feature 20 keynote lectures and 15 interactive workshops covering a wide range of contemporary topics, including sustainability, artificial intelligence, medicine, programming, arts, and space exploration. It will also host strategic partnerships with prominent cultural institutions, such as Qatar Debate Center, which will present a performance titled "Forgotten Arabic Expressions," and Qatar Reads, an initiative by Qatar National Library, showcasing an artistic adaptation of classical literary texts from Maqamat Al Hariri.
Visitors will have the opportunity to directly engage with speakers and creators through more than 10 dedicated booths showcasing modern innovations and advancements, offering a unique platform for interaction and idea exchange. The BilAraby initiative, launched by Qatar Foundation under the slogan "Ideas Have a Voice and an Echo," aims to support Arabic speakers and highlight their creativity through a digital platform that fosters cultural dialogue and promotes innovation across various fields.