JOHOR BAHRU, Dec. 25 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently hosted an enriching cultural and academic event titled Arabic Language Night, organised by the International Students Society (ISS) Yemen. Held on 25 December 2025 at Dewan Astana, Kolej Tuanku Canselor, the programme successfully brought together nearly 100 international students for an evening dedicated to celebrating the richness, beauty, and intellectual depth of the Arabic language.
The event commenced with participant registration and arrival, followed by an opening lecture delivered by a specialist in the Arabic language. The talk highlighted Arabic as the language of the Quran and emphasised its historical, linguistic, and cultural significance. Participants gained valuable insights into the structure, expressiveness, and global influence of Arabic, setting a strong academic tone for the evening.
The first major activity, From Dialect to Fusha, engaged participants in an interactive individual face-off competition. Ten randomly selected participants competed in pairs to convert Arabic dialect expressions into Modern Standard Arabic. This segment encouraged quick thinking, linguistic accuracy, and audience participation, creating an energetic and enjoyable atmosphere.
After a break for Maghrib prayer, the programme continued with the Sentence Parsing (I‘rāb) Contest. Fifteen participants took part in this intellectually challenging competition, where sentences of increasing difficulty were displayed for grammatical analysis. The judges evaluated the participants’ precision and understanding of Arabic grammar, ultimately awarding prizes to the top three performers. This segment highlighted the analytical depth of the Arabic language and promoted academic excellence among students.
The third competition focused on Arabic poetry through a Buhour Al-Shi‘r (Poetic Meters) session. The segment began with a concise lecture on Arabic poetic meters, providing foundational knowledge before transitioning into a live identification challenge. Participants were required to determine the correct poetic meter for displayed verses, reinforcing both theoretical understanding and practical application. This segment was well-received for its educational value and cultural significance.
The closing ceremony featured an interactive Kahoot! quiz on general Arabic language knowledge, further engaging the audience in a fun and competitive manner. Winners from all competitions were announced, followed by the presentation of prizes and certificates of appreciation to judges and organisers. The event concluded with a group photo session and a dinner networking segment, allowing participants and organisers to connect in a relaxed setting.
Overall, Arabic Language Night successfully fulfilled its objectives of promoting cultural appreciation, academic enrichment, and unity within the UTM community. The programme aligns with UTM’s commitment to sustainability, excellence, integrity, and synergy by fostering long-term appreciation of linguistic diversity and encouraging meaningful intercultural engagement on campus.
