- Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Honours 11 Winners of the 10th Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award, Recognising Innovation in Education, Artificial Intelligence, Media and Culture
DUBAI, UAE: Dubai has marked a significant milestone in its commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting Arabic as a global language of knowledge, creativity and innovation, as His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, honoured the winners of the 10th Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the ceremony recognised 11 individuals and institutions for their outstanding initiatives in advancing the Arabic language across education, technology, artificial intelligence, media, culture, linguistic policy and other fields.
Organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the award has established itself as a platform for recognising innovative contributions to the preservation, development and wider use of Arabic. The 10th edition celebrates a decade of supporting initiatives that safeguard the language’s rich heritage while enabling it to evolve alongside global advances in science, technology and knowledge.
Dubai Reinforces Arabic as a Language of Knowledge and Innovation
Addressing the occasion, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasised the importance of Arabic as a cornerstone of the UAE’s national identity and cultural heritage, highlighting the need for continued investment in its development and wider application.
“The Arabic language is a fundamental pillar of our national identity and cultural heritage. Preserving its position requires continued efforts to develop the tools that support its growth, expand its use and strengthen its role as a language of knowledge, creativity and innovation,” he said.
His Highness noted that the award reflects Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision of strengthening Arabic’s presence across diverse sectors and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world.
He also praised this year’s recipients for introducing innovative approaches to Arabic-language education and harnessing modern technologies to support its advancement. Their work, he said, could inspire future generations and encourage further innovation in the use of Arabic across different aspects of life.
A Decade of Promoting Arabic Language and Culture
Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the award, described the 10th edition as an important milestone in the initiative’s development.
He said the award had spent the past decade recognising excellence, encouraging creativity and supporting individuals and institutions working to expand the reach and relevance of Arabic.
Looking ahead, Al Murr reaffirmed the organisers’ commitment to building on these achievements, broadening participation and encouraging projects that combine the preservation of Arabic’s cultural heritage with innovation and technological progress.
Bilal Al Budoor, Secretary General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award, said the 2026 winners represented the diversity of efforts underway to advance the language through education, media, culture, technology and language planning.
He added that the award would continue attracting outstanding initiatives from around the world and strengthening its role as an international platform for recognising contributions to the Arabic language.
Eleven Winners Recognised Across Five Key Categories
The 10th edition recognised initiatives from the UAE and several other countries, demonstrating the international reach of efforts to promote Arabic language learning, cultural expression and technological innovation.
Education: The UAE Ministry of Education’s Baseline Assessment initiative won the award for Best Initiative for Teaching and Learning Arabic in Early Education. Yemen’s Funoon Al Fus’ha received the award for Best Initiative for Teaching Arabic in School Education, covering Grades 1 to 12.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence: SARD (Screening Arabic Reading Difficulties), developed by the Zai Centre at Zayed University, won the award for Best Smart Application for the Arabic Language, its Dissemination, and Uses of Artificial Intelligence. Egypt’s Mizan, an Arabic morphological pattern analyser, received the award for Best Initiative for the Technical Processing of the Arabic Language.
Media and Communication: Bulbul Magazine, a science and culture publication for children based in the United States, won the award for Best Initiative to Serve the Arabic Language in the Media. Jordan’s Azraq Platform, developed by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, received the award for Best Work in Arabic Language in Electronic Media and Social Media Channels.
Culture, Intellect and Knowledge Society: Morocco’s Sawt Al Qassam, an educational anthem initiative, won the award for Best Artistic, Cultural or Intellectual Work to Serve the Arabic Language. Sudan’s Alfa’l Library for Girls, an initiative of the Alfa’l Cultural Center, received the award for Best Initiative to Promote Reading Culture and Knowledge Society.
Linguistic Policy, Planning and Arabization: The Linguistic Security Initiative, developed by the Arabic Language Centre at Abu Dhabi Police College in the UAE, won the award for Best Language Policy and Planning Initiative. Saudi Arabia’s Ta’allam Muf’am bil Laeb, published by Dar Al-Tarbawiyoun for Publishing and Distribution, received the award for Best Project of Localization or Translation.
British Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith Receives Global Recognition
British Arabist, historian and translator Tim Mackintosh-Smith received the Distinguished Global Personality Award in recognition of his contributions to Arabic studies, Arab history and travel literature.
Through his research, writing and translation, Mackintosh-Smith has helped introduce the richness of Arab history and cultural heritage to readers across different countries and linguistic backgrounds.
His recognition highlights the importance of international scholarship, cultural exchange and translation in strengthening understanding of the Arabic language and the societies in which it has developed.
$770,000 in Prizes to Support Arabic-Language Innovation
Each of the 11 winners receives a prize of $70,000, bringing the total prize pool to $770,000. The financial support reflects the award’s commitment to encouraging innovative projects and enabling individuals and institutions to expand their contributions to Arabic-language development.
By recognising initiatives ranging from early education and reading assessment to artificial intelligence, digital publishing and cultural expression, the award highlights the opportunities available to advance Arabic through both traditional scholarship and modern technology.
Dubai Strengthens Its Global Cultural Leadership
The 10th Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award underscores Dubai’s continued investment in cultural development, education, innovation and the preservation of the Arabic language.
By bringing together educators, researchers, technology developers, media organisations and cultural institutions, the award promotes collaboration across borders and encourages new approaches to keeping Arabic relevant for future generations.
The initiative also reflects the UAE’s broader efforts to connect cultural heritage with the knowledge economy, ensuring that the Arabic language remains an active medium for scientific discovery, digital innovation, intellectual exchange and creative expression.
As the award enters its next decade, its focus on international participation, technological advancement and cultural preservation is expected to continue creating opportunities for individuals and institutions to contribute to the growth of Arabic worldwide.
Through initiatives such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award, Dubai continues to highlight the importance of protecting linguistic heritage while embracing innovation, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for culture, knowledge and international cooperation.
BY: The Times Union – WAM
