UIS Committed to Empowering Arabic Language in Malaysia Through Collaboration with ICESCO

By Badrul Aini Sha'ari

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s private university, Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) are currently putting together a new programme to empower the Arabic language in Malaysia.  

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni at UIS, Dr Abdul Razif Zaini, said that UIS and ICESCO have been working closely together in this effort since 2015.

"We are in the process of designing several Arabic language empowerment programmes with ICESCO, especially for citizens of Selangor state.

"This initiative aligns with the wishes of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, who hopes that his subjects who are students of Islamic Studies and Arabic language here will be able to acquire a good command of the Arabic language," he told Bernama at the 10th ICESCO Regional Conference 2025 (10th ICESCON), here. 

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Director General in charge of ICESCO Arabic Language Centres and Scientific Chairs, Dr Adel Bouraoui, said that ICESCO is fully committed to working with UIS to make the programme a success in Malaysia.

Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in his royal address at the 27th UIS Proclamation and Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, reminded students sponsored by the state government and Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) to learn and master the Arabic language at local Islamic universities before furthering their studies at universities in the Middle East.

His Royal Highness emphasised that this step is important to ensure that students are truly prepared in terms of language proficiency and foundational understanding before pursuing higher education abroad.

Dr Razif, who is also the ICESCO Malaysia branch advisor, explained that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UIS and ICESCO outlines programmes and steps to enhance Arabic language proficiency in Malaysia.

Among the programmes are seminars, workshops, competitions, and an annual celebration of World Arabic Language Day on December 18.

According to Dr Razif, the seminar organised in collaboration with ICESCO and the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been well-received by local and international attendees.

Held from July 21 to 24, the seminar is attended by 95 participants from countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, and China.

-- BERNAMA