Oman Reaffirms Arabic Language Use Across Public and Private Sectors

Muscat – June 1, 2025, The Government Communication Centre has clarified that the Council of Ministers has issued a directive requiring all government units, legal entities, private institutions, and civil associations to adhere to Arabic as the primary language.

This directive aligns with efforts to strengthen Arabic as a cornerstone of national identity and a key element of Oman’s Vision 2040.

According to the official document, Arabic language use is now mandatory in the following areas:

• Naming of Public Projects: All new government projects like streets, neighborhoods, and public facilities must be named in Arabic. A second name in another language may be included in parentheses.
• Official Government Operations: Meetings, contracts, agreements, circulars, publications, and advertisements must be conducted in Arabic. Other languages are allowed only in urgent cases.
• Language of Instruction: Arabic remains the primary language in all government and higher education institutions unless stated otherwise.
• Medical and Legal Documentation: Prescriptions, academic certificates, court decisions, and business contracts must be in Arabic, with additional languages only used for clarity or external use.

The Council also urged the private sector — including telecoms, banks, utilities, and insurers — to use Arabic correctly in all public-facing communication and reporting.

The Government Communication Center stated that this move reinforces the Arabic language’s position as a key pillar of Oman’s cultural identity and strategic vision.