Doha: As part of the 34th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) accompanying events, the main stage hosted an intellectual seminar on the thriving of the Arabic language, delivered by Palestinian writer Aref Hijjawi. According to Qatar News Agency, the seminar served as a compelling rebuttal to narratives that promote Westernization and diminish the value of the Arabic language. Hijjawi addressed the audience with a series of messages unified by a central theme: embracing the Arabic language with pride and engaging with knowledge through it, not by bypassing it. Opening his remarks, Hijjawi stated that the Arabic language is alive and well. It remains people's intellectual, emotional, and spiritual connection, and it is the authentic gateway to the world of knowledge. To play an influential role globally, it needs to be done using intellectual tools that are already owned, such as language, and not that of others, he added. He highlighted the unique linguistic features of Arabic, from its root-based derivati on system, which enables the creation of a wide range of words from a single root, to its rich system of pluralization with varying connotations. These characteristics, he noted, provide Arabic with an expressive depth and richness that few languages possess. He also underscored its flexibility and capacity to evolve with the times, provided it is used thoughtfully and with care. Hijjawi further emphasized that teaching Arabic to future generations does not imply isolationism or rejection of other languages. Learning foreign languages is valuable and encouraged, but it should never come at the expense of the native language. Arabic must not be the price paid for multilingualism.