Wikimedia UAE/Main Page
Welcome to Wikimedia UAE!
[edit]The Wikimedians of UAE User Group thrives within one of the world's most diverse nations. With over 200 nationalities represented, the UAE is a melting pot of cultures, fostering a unique environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing. We are a community that values the contributions of every individual, recognizing that each perspective enriches our understanding of the UAE and the world. By working together, we ensure that Wikimedia projects reflect the diverse voices and experiences that make the UAE so special.
Our Mission
[edit]History
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2019: Meeting Emirates Literature Foundation
Our journey began in 2019 at WikiArabia Morocco, where Wikimedians of UAE User Group had its first encounter with the Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF). That connection led to a valuable partnership, with ELF eventually becoming our fiscal sponsor. Together, we launched our first collaborative project: Kateb Maktub, which aimed to increase the presence of Arab authors and Arabic literature across Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata.
2020 - 2022: Kateb Maktub Project
The Kateb Maktub project officially launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF) and Wikimedia UAE. The MoU also outlined ELF’s support in helping us integrate into major cultural initiatives such as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. We began building strong connections with cultural institutions and universities, marking the start of our journey to promote open knowledge and the Wikimedia movement across the UAE.
2021-Present: Growth and Visibility
In 2021, we received our first official grant from the Wikimedia Foundation; marking the beginning of a period of rapid growth. We started organizing training workshops, speaking at conferences, and building stronger ties with universities and new communities across the UAE and the Gulf. Since then, our presence has continued to expand both locally in the UAE and across the wider GCC and MENA region.
Highlights
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WikiArabia Dubai
we proudly organized the first-ever WikiArabia conference in the UAE and the Gulf region—a milestone for both our group and the wider movement.
WikiArabia Oman
we brought WikiArabia to Oman (a country without an official Wikimedia affiliate). To ensure meaningful engagement, we launched the Omani Youth Program ahead of the conference. This initiative helped train a new generation of Omani Wikimedians and empowered them to take part in organizing the event. That effort sparked the beginning of a new movement in Oman.