Manama: Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) has concluded the “We Write in Arabic” initiative, which was launched in mid-October in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Education, Visa, and the Bahrain Writers Association. The initiative aimed to promote the Arabic language and strengthen Bahrain’s national identity through innovation and creativity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the closing ceremony celebrated the winners and finalists, and launched a book compiling the top entries. This event was strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming World Arabic Language Day. The initiative reflects BisB’s commitment to advancing community development and nurturing the talents of Bahrain’s youth.
The competition targeted Bahraini students aged 13 to 18, inviting them to write short stories in Arabic envisioning Bahrain’s future. Entries were evaluated on creativity, imagination, linguistic eloquence, originality, and the integration of cultural and technological themes. The initiative r
eceived 1,929 submissions from over 100 public and private schools during its first evaluation phase.
The top 100 stories advanced to the next round, where students refined their entries under the guidance of the organising entities. The top 20 stories were then shortlisted for public electronic voting. Bahrain TV also featured three special episodes highlighting these top stories submitted by the student participants.
The closing event featured a presentation of the initiative’s milestones, media interviews with participants, and recognition of winners and supporting entities. The ceremony’s main highlight was the announcement of the top 10 winners and the launch of a book featuring the top 20 submissions, centered on envisioning Bahrain’s future.
Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Noaimi, Minister of Information, emphasized the initiative’s role in supporting Bahrain’s creative youth and promoting the Arabic language as a cornerstone of national identity. He noted that it provides an opportunity to discover and
nurture talented individuals who will enrich Bahrain’s cultural and literary landscape.
Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, highlighted the importance of the initiative in encouraging students to engage with the Arabic language and providing them with a platform to demonstrate their literary talents. He underscored the collaborative efforts of BisB and the Ministry in ensuring the initiative’s success.
Fatema Al Alawi, Acting CEO of BisB, celebrated the initiative’s success as a celebration of the Arabic language and an opportunity to highlight the creativity of local talents. She noted the significant participation of Bahraini women, reflecting the bank’s commitment to empowering women and supporting their leadership in innovation and national development.
Dr. Rashid Najem, President of the Bahrain Writers Association, commended the initiative for raising awareness among Bahrain’s youth about the importance of the Arabic language. He expressed hope for its continuation to further nurture
young writing talents and strengthen their connection to the language.
