Sakhr Software Company

History

Sakhr was founded in 1982 by Mohammed Al-Sharekh.

In 1990, following the first events of the Gulf War, Sakhr relocated to Heliopolis, Cairo. After the relocation, the company changed its approach by terminating all computer manufacturing projects to focus exclusively on developing software products.

Sakhr provided Arabic language localization services to the Saudi's Ministry of Education, Egypt's Ministry of Commerce, Oman's Ministry of Education, and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In December 2024, Katara Studios has announced a biopic titled "Sakhr," focusing on the late Kuwaiti entrepreneur Mohamed Al-Sharekh, who pioneered the first Arabic-language operating system in the 1980s. The film aims to celebrate Al-Sharekh's significant contributions to Arabic computing and technology, highlighting his legacy in a region where most software was originally designed for English speakers.

Dial Directions

In 2009, Sakhr acquired Dial Directions, Inc., a United States Silicon Valley software company providing language applications for mobile cloud-computing environments, including wireless carriers, telematics, and smartphones such as the Apple iPhone to enhance its market position in the emerging mobile application & cloud computing market.

Awards

Sakhr software has won the following International awards:

• eContent Award – Arabic Language Buddy for smart phones (2010)
• Oman Portal – Arab Web Awards (2010)
• World Summit Award – (Screen reader for the blind) (2007)
• World Summit Award – Best e-content (Web Content Translation Engine – Tarjim) (2005)
• Arabian Business E-Achievement Award E-Visionary of the Year (2002)
• Internet Shopper (T4S International Group): Best Arabic Language Supported Site (GITEX Cairo 2000)
• Damtex Middle East Group: Best Arabic Application Development Company (1999)

References

;Notes

• Sakhr Software – Arabic Language Technology
• #1 in Arabic Translation by U.S. Government metrics
• Arabic language app walks the talk – Government Computer News
• Etisalat inks deal to bring internet to the blind
• Getting smart on wireless in the classroom
• The Latest App: Smartphone Interpreters
• Speech Recognition iPhone App Translates Arabic On the Fly
• Merger Could Bring Major Tool To Military: Arabic-English Translation Via Cell Phone

References

1. "Mohammed Al-Sharekh, Chairman of the SAKHR Software Company, visits AUB to discuss Artificial Intelligence and Modernization of Arabic Language".
2. [https://www.cnbcarabia.com/news/view/23779/%22%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AE%22-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%86%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF "الشارخ" التكنولوجي العربي الذي لا يعرفه أحد] CNBC Arabia
3. The Internet in the Middle East: Global Expectations And Local Imaginations In Kuwait, page 44
4. [https://www.albawaba.com/business/al-alamiah-electronics-awarded-major-contract-saudi-ministry-education Al-Alamiah Electronics awarded major contract by the Saudi Ministry of Education] albawaba
5. [https://www.albawaba.com/business/sakhr-making-arabic-e-gov-reality Sakhr: Making Arabic e-gov a reality] albawaba
6. [https://www.albawaba.com/news/sakhr-software-final-stages-completion-oman’s-biggest-e-government-educational-portal-project Sakhr Software in final stages of completion for Oman’s biggest E-Government educational portal project] albawaba
7. [http://www.alriyadh.com/243573 صخر تضع اللمسات النهائية للبوابة التعليمية في سلطنة عمان] Alriyadh
8. [https://www.albawaba.com/business/dubai-chamber-commerce-and-industry-chooses-sakhr-electronic-document-management-system Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chooses Sakhr Electronic Document Management System] albawaba
9. Szalai, Georg. (2024-12-07). "Arabic Tech Pioneer, Sakhr Founder Biopic in the Works at Katara Studios (Exclusive)".
10. (2012-05-03). "Sakhr Software acquires Dial Directions for mobile devices and services | Sakhr Software Co". AMEinfo.com.
11. Echols, Tucker. (2009-06-30). "Sakhr Software acquires Dial Direction – Washington Business Journal". Bizjournals.com.
12. (2009-07-01). "Sakhr Software Acquires Dial Directions, Launches Spoken Arabic Translation via Mobile". ArabCrunch.
13. (2009-06-30). "Sakhr Software Acquires San Francisco-Based Dial Directions". Silicon Valley Wire.
14. Business Wire. (2009-06-30). "Sakhr Software Acquires Dial Directions". Business Wire.
15. [http://www.sakhr.com/awards.aspx] {{webarchive. link. (January 12, 2011)
16. (2012-05-03). "Arabic company receives international e-inclusion Award for Disabilities Software | Sakhr Software Co". AMEinfo.com.
17. "Sakhr's Instant Translation Technology wins World Summit Award for the Information Society | Sakhr Software Co". AMEinfo.com.
18. "Sakhr Software chairman receives e-Visionary of the Year award | Sakhr Software Co". AMEinfo.com.
19. (2012-05-03). "Sakhr's ArabDox awarded yet another prize | Gitex Dubai (Gitex Technology Week)". AMEinfo.com.