A new corner of the Internet completely dedicated to the Arabic language was launched today (October 24), joining the likes of .com, .net and .org online.

DotShabaka Registry, the Dubai-based company behind .shabaka (translates to .web in English), is inviting expressions of interest from major brands and high profile individuals to become launch partners with the world’s first cross-border Arabic top-level domain, said a statement.

Potential partners are encouraged to register their interest with dotShabaka Registry at dotshabaka.com. Launch partners and ambassadors will be given priority during the launch phase and become pioneers of the cause, while general public registrations are expected to occur in the next two months, it said.

Yasmin Omer, general manager, said: “Today marks a historic moment for the global online Arabic-speaking community. We have waited 28 years since the introduction of .com for a cross-border Arabic top-level domain. This will enable an Internet experience completely in our native language.”

“We are now looking for the biggest brands and innovators within the global Arabic community to partner with us and become anambassador and leader of the Arabic Internet not just in the region but across the globe. Owning a domain name is investing into an Arabic Internet and we would expect to see the proudest Arabic brands take the first step, those that really want to make a difference,” added Omer.

The domain was added to the Internet as part of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ (ICANN) new top-level domain programme.

ARI Registry Services, a leading Internet infrastructure providers, is dotShabaka Registry’s technology partner. - TradeArabia News Service