Syrian linguist, academic, and member of the Damascus Arabic Language Academy Dr. Mazen al-Mubarak died on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the capital Damascus at the age of 96. Having devoted his long academic life to Arabic linguistics, al-Mubarak authored numerous works and trained students in many countries.
Mazen Abdul Qadir al-Mubarak was born in 1930 in the Amara district of Damascus. As the son of the leading language scholar of his time, Abdul Qadir al-Mubarak, he grew up in a household steeped in learning and religion. After his father's death, he was raised by his older brother, the thinker and former minister Muhammad al-Mubarak.
An academic footprint across the Arab world and beyond
After earning a bachelor's degree from the Arabic Language Department at Damascus University, al-Mubarak completed his master's degree at Cairo University in 1957 and his doctorate in 1960. He returned to Damascus University as a faculty member, receiving the title of associate professor in 1965 and full professor in 1971. Throughout his academic career, he taught not only at Damascus University but also at institutions such as Riyadh University, Qatar University, the Lebanese University, Oran University, and the Damascus Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts.
Key roles at the Arabic Language Academy
Elected as a corresponding member of the Damascus Arabic Language Academy in 2002, al-Mubarak was promoted to full membership in 2006. He chaired the academy's Lexicon Committee, Arabic Language and Sciences Committee, and Members' Work Committee. He also served on the Academy Journal Committee, Historical Dictionary Committee, and the Revitalizing Manuscripts and Heritage Committee. From 1959 onwards, 39 of his articles were published in the Academy's journal.
A rich scholarly legacy
Mazen al-Mubarak left behind not only original works but also critical editions of many classical Arabic texts. Among his writings are al-Zajjaji: His Life, Works, and Grammatical School, al-Rummani al-Nahwi, Summary of the History of Rhetoric, Towards Linguistic Awareness, Research on the History of Grammar and Grammatical Causation, and Quranic Linguistic Studies. His critical editions include al-Zajjaji's al-Idah fi Ilal al-Nahw, Ibn Hisham's Mughni al-Labib, and Ibn Jinni's al-Muqtazab.
Condolences from across the region
Al-Mubarak's death resonated widely across Syria and the Arab world. In their condolence messages, the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Culture highlighted his service to the Arabic language and his contributions to intellectual life. Condolences were also issued by the Damascus Arabic Language Academy, the Grand Mufti of Syria Sheikh Osama al-Rifai, and many academics, writers, and cultural figures.
