Qatar Foundation’s BilAraby initiative has launched its first open translation workshop, bringing together translators, volunteers, and language enthusiasts to expand the reach of Arabic content worldwide.
Held on Saturday at Multaqa, the Education City Student Center, the event gathered 25 participants for hands-on training with AI-powered translation tools and in-depth discussions on the project’s long-term vision. The workshop also saw the selection and training of BilAraby ambassadors, who will lead and mentor volunteer teams in future translation projects.
Since its inception, BilAraby has drawn nearly 400 volunteers from across the globe, with around 80 based in Qatar. Volunteers support translation, dubbing, and editing, combining human creativity with technology to produce accessible, high-quality content.
Dr Anwar Dafallah, advisor to BilAraby, stressed the urgency of addressing the lack of Arabic content on digital platforms. “Translation builds bridges between nations, brings knowledge closer to people, and fosters understanding and cultural exchange,” he said. “Every translation brings us closer to a more informed Arab society, more meaningful Arabic content, and a generation more engaged with its language.”
BilAraby’s strategy includes detailed guidance for volunteers, such as a translation manual outlining rules, methodologies, and tools. Mentorship schemes have been introduced to help new volunteers, while online workshops, glossaries, and peer review systems ensure quality and consistency.
The initiative also runs surveys and discussion sessions to engage its community of contributors. Recognition programmes, including certificates of appreciation, highlight outstanding contributions. Volunteers are encouraged to take part in future BilAraby events, strengthening the initiative’s collaborative spirit.
Research suggests that translated and subtitled content significantly enhances digital engagement. Studies show subtitles can increase viewing time by 50 percent, triple the rate of sharing, and boost comprehension by nearly 40 percent.
Launched under the slogan “Ideas Have a Voice and an Echo”, BilAraby is part of a broader campaign to showcase Arab creativity and thought. The initiative underscores Qatar Foundation’s mission to elevate Arabic language and culture, promoting it as a vital medium in global dialogue.
By blending modern technology with human expertise, BilAraby seeks not only to address the scarcity of Arabic content online but also to create a sustainable, cross-border system of translation. Organisers believe this will enrich global knowledge exchange while deepening cultural understanding.
The first workshop marks an early step in what the initiative envisions as a lasting movement to strengthen Arabic’s global presence—where every translation, they argue, is a contribution to human connection and shared knowledge.
