- The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Centre for Arabic language education was launched in Istanbul to promote cultural ties between the UAE and Turkey.
- The center will offer Arabic programs and workshops for Turkish and international students.
- UAE also reopened the renovated Sheikh Zayed Child Care Complex, enhancing facilities for 700 children and boosting UAE-Turkey cooperation.
A new center dedicated to promoting Arabic language education was inaugurated at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, a prominent Emirati figure renowned for her work in women's empowerment, education, and family development in the United Arab Emirates. The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Centre for Teaching Arabic Language Education was launched through a collaborative effort between the United Arab Emirates University and Ibn Haldun University.
This initiative aims to enhance the study of the Arabic language in international academic settings and foster deeper cultural and educational ties between the UAE and Turkey. The new center will offer specialized programs for both Turkish and international students learning Arabic, along with training sessions, workshops, and support for research focused on the Arabic language and its culture. The launch of this center is seen as a step toward strengthening cultural and intellectual exchanges between the two countries.
The opening ceremony brought together senior officials from both the UAE and Turkey, including Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State; Saeed Thani Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Turkey; Saeed Saqer Al Muhairi, Consul General; and Dr. Moza Al Hosani, Deputy Head of the UAE Mission. Dr. Irfan Gunduz, chairman of Ibn Haldun University’s board of trustees, along with academic staff and students from the university, were also present at the event.
In her address, Dr. Al Shamsi highlighted Sheikha Fatima’s instrumental role in advancing education and supporting women’s participation in sustainable development. She emphasized that Sheikha Fatima's humanitarian initiatives have had a significant impact on social policy in the UAE, and the new center reflects her vision to preserve and promote the Arabic language within distinguished academic institutions worldwide.
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, cultural advisor to the UAE president and chancellor of UAE University, also spoke at the event, noting that naming the center after Sheikha Fatima underscores her leadership in expanding Arabic education globally. He added that Sheikha Fatima’s initiatives have had a lasting educational and humanitarian impact, making the center a key platform for strengthening cultural connections between the UAE and other nations.
Also Read: UAE Schools Embrace National Framework for Cultural Engagement
In addition to the center’s inauguration, the UAE also officially reopened the Sheikh Zayed Child Care Complex in Istanbul on Saturday, following extensive renovation works. The project was completed with the support and directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The ceremony was attended by Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan, UAE Minister of State Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Turkey’s Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, and other senior officials from both countries.
The renovation of the Sheikh Zayed Child Care Complex was carried out by the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, as part of the UAE’s global humanitarian and development initiatives. Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that the reopening of the complex is a reflection of the UAE’s ongoing commitment to the humanitarian legacy of Sheikh Zayed and the vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She stressed the importance of investing in children’s well-being through safe and nurturing environments to build resilient societies and support future generations.
First Lady Emine Erdoğan expressed her gratitude to the UAE for its continued support and praised the partnership between the two countries, which is built on friendship and mutual respect. Minister Goktas also highlighted the strength of UAE-Turkey cooperation in social development, noting that the redevelopment aligns with international standards for child and family services.
The renovation work included extensive upgrades to the facility, including the maintenance of 12 children’s buildings, a healthcare unit, and a central kitchen, as well as the construction of new facilities. The complex now accommodates around 700 children, with renewed outdoor green spaces and enhanced service areas designed to provide a better quality of life for the children and their families.
