Event will stage artistic and cultural sessions featuring artists Lutfi Bouchnak, Fidaa Al-Din Al-Khashi

BilAraby – a Qatar Foundation initiative dedicated to amplifying ideas, stories, and voices in the Arabic language – will showcase a rich and varied lineup of cultural and intellectual activities at its upcoming summit, taking place from 19-20 April 2025.

During the summit at Multaqa (Education City Student Center) – for which tickets are now available at www.bilaraby.qa – creative minds will explore new frontiers in innovation and advancing Arabic content. A variety of exploratory sessions and panel discussions will focus on the role of the Arabic language in creative fields such as arts, technology, science, and innovation.

A unique artistic component will see artist Lutfi Bouchnak will perform a musical segment that delivers powerful humanitarian messages, with Yemeni blogger Fidaa Al-Din Al-Khashi will leading a narrative session exploring historical and social themes. Meanwhile, Egyptian maestro Mustafa Saeed will present a distinctive musical performance blending the beauty of Arabic melodies with grammatical craftsmanship, and a special session will explore the current and future landscape of Arabic podcasting. with the participation of Mohammed Al-Rummash (Atheer Podcast) and Bashar Al-Najjar (Manbat Podcast - Sawt).

Over 500 thought-leaders, innovators, and influential figures from around the world will attend the summit, and Hisham Nourin, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Qatar Foundation, said the high level of registrations reflects growing interest in advancing the Arabic language within the realms of innovation and creativity. 

"This summit provides a unique opportunity to showcase ambitious ideas and creative initiatives designed to elevate Arabic content, ensuring it evolves alongside global progress,” said Nourin. “We believe that events such as this play a key role in nurturing the growth of the Arab knowledge society, furthering its influence in the digital economy and innovation.

"Through panel discussions and interactive workshops, we aim to create an environment that encourages knowledge exchange and collaboration, thereby strengthening the role of the Arabic language in a rapidly changing global context. At Qatar Foundation, we are committed to supporting cultural and educational initiatives that empower the next generation to tackle future challenges. We look forward to this summit fostering connections and facilitating intellectual and cultural dialogue among participants from diverse backgrounds."

The summit will feature 20 keynote lectures and 15 interactive workshops covering a wide range of contemporary topics, including sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, medicine, programming, arts, and space exploration. It will include strategic partnerships with prominent cultural institutions such as QatarDebate – founded by Qatar Foundation (QF) – which will present a performance titled ‘The Abandoned Arabic Language’, while Qatar National Library’s Qatar Reads initiative will offer an artistic performance inspired by Al-Hariri’s classical literary work, Maqamat.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and innovators across more than 10 pavilions dedicated to showcasing groundbreaking innovations and developments, providing a unique platform for networking and idea exchange.

BilAraby initiative, launched by QF under the theme ‘Ideas Have a Voice and an Echo’, seeks to amplify the ideas and innovations of the Arabic-speaking world while fostering cultural interaction and intellectual exchange among innovators. Its goal is to enrich Arabic content and support interactive communities that champion human values.

For further information about the summit, as well as to purchase tickets, visit www.bilaraby.qa