Mohammed bin Zayed opens Sheikh Zayed Centre for Teaching of Arabic Language

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended in Beijing the renovation and re-opening ceremony of the new building for the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Studies.

The construction of the centre was ordered by the late Sheikh bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1990. Sheikh Mohammed ordered its maintenance and furnishing in 2009.

Present were Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Nasser Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Head of the Department of Economic Development, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Court of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Omer Ahmed Udai Nasib Al Bittar, UAE Ambassador to China, Arab and foreign diplomats accredited in China, academics and students, and Emirati students in China.

Sheikh Mohammed arrived to the centre, where he was received by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beijing Foreign Studies University Yang Chiyu Yi and other senior officials.

Sheikh Mohammed unveiled the plaque of the centre and registered a word in the Guest Book of the VIP, stating: "On the occasion of the opening of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing, I congratulate Beijing Foreign Studies University, staff in the Faculty of Arabic Language and the administration of the centre and all the students on this happy occasion".

He wished success to all, hoping that the centre would remain a strong bridge linking the Arab and Sino civilisations and bolster concepts of dialogue and noble human values.

Sheikh Mohammed inspected the works of Emirati artist Mohammed Mendi, the old and new photos about the UAE and photos about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

He entered into the conference hall, where Dr Yang Chiyu Yi delivered a speech in which he welcomed Sheikh Mohammed. He lauded the donation of Sheikh Mohammed for renovation and furnishing of the centre in 2009. Yi added that the Faculty of Arab Language was set up 54 years ago to train and prepare qualified cadres.

For his part, the UAE envoy in China welcomed Sheikh Mohammed, adding that "We are proud to witness the re-opening of this prestigious academic institution, the Sheikh Zayed Centre Teaching of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies." This course, he continued, has been pursued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to boost the Arab-Sino cultural dialogue.

Al Bittar added that the Sheikh Zayed's initiative to set up the centre in China was in a fulfillment to the forefathers relations with the Chinese friends.

The UAE envoy in Beijing announced that Sheikh Mohammed donated $1.12 million to the centre.

At the end of ceremony Sheikh Mohammed met the Arab and foreign diplomats accredited in Beijing, teaching and administrative staff and students. He also met Emirati students in Chinese universities and colleges and posed for photos with them.

Sheikh Mohammed and President of University sowed the friendship tree in the garden of centre.

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