The new centre will bring students, educators and the wider community together to celebrate Arabic language and Saudi heritage, while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and learning.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 2026: Downe House Riyadh has officially opened Diwan Al-Ḍād, its new Arabic Centre of Excellence, marking the next stage in the school’s commitment to placing Arabic language, Saudi culture and heritage at the heart of its educational community.
The launch of Diwan Al-Ḍād represents an important milestone for Downe House Riyadh, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together British educational excellence and Saudi cultural heritage. The Centre will provide a dedicated space to celebrate the Arabic language, deepen students’ understanding of their cultural identity and strengthen their connection to the Kingdom’s rich traditions, while supporting the school’s vision to empower young women to thrive in an increasingly globalised world.
More than a teaching space, Diwan Al-Ḍād has been created as a living and immersive hub where students can explore Arabic beyond the traditional classroom and deepen their connection with the language and its cultural significance. It will provide a space for learning, creativity and exchange, bringing Arabic to life through experiences that connect language with literature, the arts and contemporary society.
The Centre will host a diverse programme of cultural and educational activities, from exhibitions celebrating Arabic literature and heritage to poetry, storytelling and performing arts. Speakers, workshops and discussions will also explore the role of Arabic in contemporary fields including diplomacy, media, business and innovation, demonstrating its relevance to the lives and future aspirations of young people.
H.E. Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar, Chairman of the Board of Downe House Riyadh, said: “Arabic is central to our identity and carries a rich intellectual and cultural legacy. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, we are creating a space that celebrates this heritage and supports a generation of young women who are proud of their roots and confident in the contribution they can make to the future of the Kingdom. It is also a space where British and Saudi educational traditions meet with confidence and mutual respect, with language and culture acting as bridges between our communities.”
Diwan Al-Ḍād will also provide a platform for engagement with the wider educational community in Riyadh. By bringing together educators, students and schools for professional learning, knowledge exchange and collaborative events, Downe House Riyadh aims to encourage dialogue and the sharing of best practice in Arabic education.
The opening reflects Downe House Riyadh’s wider vision to deliver premium British education that is deeply rooted in Saudi culture and connected to the Kingdom’s future. As part of the Cognita global schools group, Downe House Riyadh combines its distinctive British educational heritage with access to the expertise and shared learning of a global community of schools. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, the school aims to demonstrate how Arabic can sit at the heart of an international education, giving students the confidence to embrace their cultural identity while preparing to pursue their ambitions on a global stage.
Ms Deborah Sharifi, Principal of Downe House Riyadh, said: “Diwan Al-Ḍād is more than a new space within our school; it is a statement of intent. At Downe House Riyadh, we believe our girls should never have to choose between international ambition and pride in their Saudi language, culture and identity. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, we want them to embrace the strength of both and grow into confident young women ready to help shape the future of the Kingdom.”
The initiative also reflects the value of cultural exchange, and the role British education can play in celebrating Saudi heritage. Dr Alice Burt, Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy Riyadh, said: “Diwan Al-Ḍād is a wonderful example of how education can build meaningful connections between cultures while strengthening young people’s sense of identity. It is encouraging to see Downe House Riyadh, a British school in Riyadh placing Arabic language and Saudi heritage so prominently within its educational community.”
The opening of Diwan Al-Ḍād supports the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening cultural identity and heritage within education and helping to prepare globally minded young people who remain strongly connected to their language and culture. It is a reminder of the powerful role education can play in bringing communities and nations together, honouring our heritage and shared history while empowering young people, particularly young women, to shape the future of the Kingdom.
