Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar has reaffirmed his support for efforts to preserve the Fur language and cultural heritage following a celebration organised by the Fur Sons Association in the United Kingdom in recognition of International Mother Language Day.
The event, held on 5 April 2026, brought together members of the Sudanese community, civil society organisations, cultural associations and artists to celebrate the importance of language in protecting identity and passing heritage from one generation to the next.
International Mother Language Day is observed globally on 21 February each year. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 following an initiative by Bangladesh and has been celebrated around the world since 2000 to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
The issue has become increasingly important as many languages around the world face pressure or decline. UNESCO estimates that around 40 per cent of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand, highlighting the wider importance of protecting mother languages and promoting multilingual education.
The 2026 global observance placed particular emphasis on young people and the future of multilingual education under the theme “Many languages, one future: Youth voices on multilingual education.”
Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar said these global concerns are also relevant to communities from Darfur.
“Language carries our history, our values and the memory of our people. When a language is preserved, an important part of our identity is preserved with it.”
He congratulated the Fur Sons Association for its continued work in promoting the Fur language among communities living in the United Kingdom and expressed his appreciation to the artists, community representatives and organisations that participated in the celebration.
The Sultan also recognised the long history of efforts to protect the Fur language, including the memorandum issued by the Native Administration under the leadership of Sultan Hussein Ayub Ali Dinar on 22 February 1997, which helped provide an early foundation for language preservation efforts.
For Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar, the participation of communities living outside Sudan is particularly important.
“Many of our children are growing up far from Darfur. They should still have the opportunity to hear our language, speak it and understand the history carried within it. Families and community organisations have an important responsibility in keeping that connection alive.”
He said preserving the Fur language should also be understood within Sudan’s wider cultural diversity.
“Sudan is home to many languages and cultural traditions. Each forms part of the history of our country. Protecting them allows future generations to understand where they come from and ensures that valuable knowledge is not lost.”
Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar reaffirmed his support for initiatives that teach the Fur language, document it and create opportunities for younger generations to use it both within Sudan and across the diaspora.
