Riyadh is the site of the launch of the fourth edition of the Harf competition, organized by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language for non-Arabic speaking students enrolled in educational institutions within Saudi Arabia.
According to SPA, the competition allows learners of various nationalities to demonstrate their linguistic capabilities in a competitive environment. Applications for the competition are open until 09 Rabi’ al-Akhir 1448 AH, corresponding to September 20, 2026.
The competition focuses on four main axes: lexical ability to measure vocabulary knowledge, language and technology for producing creative clips about Academy platforms, research papers on teaching Arabic to non-natives, and language and cultural communication covering recitation, improvisation, oratory, and storytelling.
Previous editions showed growth in participation. The first edition had 866 contestants from 23 nationalities, the second rose to 1,003 contestants from 44 nationalities with 12 winners, and the third exceeded 1,184 contestants from 52 nationalities with 12 winners.
Who can participate in the fourth edition of the Harf competition? The competition is open to non-Arabic speaking students who are currently enrolled in educational institutions located within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is designed for learners of various nationalities to showcase their linguistic skills and capabilities in a competitive setting.
What are the main axes of the Harf competition? The competition is divided into four axes: lexical ability to test vocabulary and meanings, language and technology for creating clips about Academy platforms, research papers focused on teaching Arabic to non-natives, and language and cultural communication involving oratory, storytelling, and improvisation.
When is the deadline for submitting applications for the competition? Interested participants can submit their entries until 09 Rabi’ al-Akhir 1448 AH, which corresponds to September 20, 2026.