Was it a mistake on my part to say, "Thank you," to a female colleague who objected to my statement about the phrase "Ummah Iqra’ [Nation of Read], reads" and linked it to the Quranic word "Iqra'," potentially suggesting my retraction or agreement with an error?

It is not permissible to dispose of bags bearing the phrase "Ummat Iqra'" (Nation of Iqra') in the trash, because "Iqra'" (Read) is the first word revealed in the Quran, and doing so constitutes a degradation of it. Similarly, nothing written in the Arabic language should be subjected to degradation. Your act of advising and reminding absolves you of sin, and your thanking her does not signify your agreement with her statement.