BilAraby Annual Gathering, the annual event hosted in Doha, Qatar
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Held at the University of Oxford, sessions addressed digital epistemic justice and shared global challenges
Oxford, United Kingdom – 16 February 2026:
Qatar Foundation’s BilAraby participated in panel discussions held on the sidelines of the 2nd UK Universities Arabic Debating Championship, hosted by the University of Oxford from 7 – 9 February 2026. The event was organized by QatarDebate Center, founded by Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the Middle East Centre – St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
BilAraby’s participation aimed to reinforce the role of the Arabic language in discussions on knowledge production and the digital world. This engagement is part of the Initiative’s regional and international outreach, which promotes constructive dialogue, provides dynamic platforms for youth development, and fosters collaborations that inspire positive change.
The opening day of the championship featured a panel discussion titled ‘The Arabic Language and Epistemic Justice in the Digital World,’ presented by Thaer Fawaz Farhat, Debate Specialist at QatarDebate Center. The panel included Dr. Laith Alawneh, a speaker at the 2025 BilAraby Gathering, and Maya Al-Jaber, a PhD researcher in psychology at the University of Oxford.
The session examined the role of the Arabic language in the age of algorithms, including its representation in AI systems and whether it faces bias compared to other languages. It also addressed broader issues such as digital colonialism and the limits of epistemic justice within a landscape shaped by the interests of major corporations, while exploring what is required to build a dynamic Arabic presence that moves beyond consumption to contribute to knowledge production actively.
On the second day of the championship, a roundtable was hosted to discuss the Arab world’s role in addressing shared global challenges, including migration, climate change, and food security. The session featured Dr. Alawneh and Al-Jaber, alongside representatives from BilAraby and QatarDebate Center, as well as several participating debaters.
The roundtable further examined migration, sparking a rich discussion that framed the topic as a space where historical memory intersects with future opportunities, and explored how accumulated Arab expertise can be effectively leveraged. Participants agreed on the need to shift prevailing migration narratives that portray Arab migrants as a burden, noting that Arab human capital in the diaspora exceeds $2 trillion, according to World Bank statistics. The panel highlighted this as a significant opportunity for both Western and Arab countries alike, rather than a liability as often suggested.
At the championship’s closing ceremony, BilAraby was recognized for its active role throughout the event and for its mission to elevate the Arabic language to the forefront of knowledge-based discussions on international dialogue platforms.
Updates on BilAraby and its 2026 Gathering are available on its website: www.BilAraby.qa
