The Islamic University in Madinah, represented by its College of Arabic Language and Humanities, organized a panel discussion titled "Camels in Arab Heritage," as part of celebrations marking "Year of the Camel 2024." The session examined the camel's cultural and historical value and its pivotal role in Arab life across the ages.

Main Themes of the Symposium
The symposium covered several themes presented by specialists from different academic departments:

  1. The Relationship Between Humans and Camels
    • Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutrafi spoke about the traits shared between humans and camels in Arab heritage.
    • He explained how Arabs borrowed emotionally charged human terms to describe camels, such as "al-hamal" for a stray camel.
    • He also discussed popular proverbs linked to camels, such as the saying "like the caller with no camel of his own."
  2. Camels in Language and Culture
    • Dr. Mohammed Al-Tarjami discussed the specialized vocabulary Arabs developed around camels, pointing to the wide range of terms describing their states and behavior, a result of the Arabs' close bond with camels as a means of transport and a source of food.
  3. Camels in Arab and Islamic History
    • Dr. Raja Al-Muaili reviewed the role camels played in King Abdulaziz Al Saud's campaign to unify the Kingdom, where they were used in warfare and correspondence.
    • He also spoke about famous camels in history, such as Al-Qaswa, the she-camel of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and her role in the construction of the Prophet's Mosque.

Highlighting the Camel's Cultural Value
The symposium is part of the university's efforts to promote cultural and historical awareness of the camel, which represents a symbol of authenticity and Arab heritage and embodies values such as patience and loyalty.