Muscat – The third edition of the Asian Arabic Debating Championship began on Tuesday at Arab Open University in Seeb.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Mohammed bin Saeed al Balushi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Information, in the presence of H E Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY). 

The event has been organised by MCSY, Oman Debate Center and QatarDebate Center. The championship aims to promote dialogue among young people and enhance the presence of the Arabic language in international platforms.

A total of 145 students from 40 educational institutions from 18 Asian countries are taking part. Organisers said the competition encourages logical reasoning, respect for differing views and persuasion skills within a multicultural environment. The championship will run till November 1.

Hilal bin Saif al Siyabi, Director General of the Youth Affairs at MCSY, said Oman takes pride in hosting the tournament, which reflects the country’s growing role in intellectual and cultural activities.

He said this edition includes competitive debate rounds, workshops, cultural site visits in Muscat, and an Omani cultural evening to provide a complete cultural and social experience for participants.

Reem al Musallam, Director of QatarDebate Center, said debates demonstrate that the strength of words lies in logic and that dialogue builds understanding.

Oman is hosting the event for the second consecutive year, following the success of the 2024 edition. Organisers stated that the championship reinforces the country’s commitment to supporting educational and cultural initiatives that develop youth skills and encourage informed discussion on current issues.