The Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, presented the Medal of Honor to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui
On the occasion of an international scientific Conference marking both the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and the celebration of UNESCO World Arabic Language Day, the Rector of the University, Professor Georgi Valchev presented the medal of Honor to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, on November 27, 2024, as part of an academic ceremony held on this occasion.
In his opening speech, Professor Valchev stated that this insignia, the highest distinction of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, was awarded to Ms. Zakia El Midaoui for her outstanding services in developing relations between academic institutions in Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Morocco, and as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, for her significant contribution to strengthening the partnership between Sofia University and diplomatic missions through joint activities in the fields of education and science. Professor Valchev also expressed his satisfaction with the close cooperation between the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Sofia and the valuable support provided by the latter.
It is worth noting that the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies under the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology of Sofia University is the only educational institution in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan region, that has translated the Holy Quran from Arabic into Bulgarian, and that trains students, doctoral students and specialists in the fields of Arabic language, translation, culture, history, and Islamic religion.
The event, which was organized in partnership with the Institute of Historical Research of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, continued until November 30, 2024, and brought together prominent national and international researchers, official representatives, including the Minister of Education and the Ambassador’s Directors of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Bulgaria.
In her speech on this occasion, Ambassador Zakia El Midaoui did not fail to praise the remarkable efforts of the University for having established in 1974, this unique department in Bulgaria and the Balkan region. This department has since played a key role in promoting intercultural dialogue and the appreciation of the rich Arabic linguistic and cultural heritage. She thus invited the Arab countries to support these efforts through financial, material, and educational support to continue promoting learning and research in this field in Bulgaria.
Ms. Zakia El Midaoui also highlighted the universal scope of the Arabic language, while recalling its exceptional historical and cultural heritage and its invaluable contribution to the progress of science, arts, and literature.
The Conference was also distinguished by interventions by renowned academic figures, cultural performances by Bulgarian students in Arabic, and plenary sessions analyzing the historical and cultural connections between the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions.
