KARACHI:
Arabic originated from the Proto-Semitic languages of the ancient Middle East a millennium ago. It is now the spoken language of more than 400 million people worldwide. In 1973, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly approved Arabic as the sixth official language of the UN.
With its diversified dialects, the Arabic language is rich in expression and has given rise to the fascinating aesthetic in the fields of architecture, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy, music, and others. With close linkages to other ancient languages, Arabic has paved the way for a dialogue between cultures extending throughout the globe. The role of such linkages has been the driving force in promoting science and technology. Even though Arabic is a complex language, it is one of the most fascinating languages in the world. Around the world, people are fascinated by its melodic rhythm and calligraphic beauty.
There are many strong reasons to adopt the language. Muslims must have an understanding of the language as Islamic history and the teachings are mainly in Arabic. It is indeed an irony of fate that when Arabic is gaining global popularity, we in Pakistan still consider it as the language of religious clerics. Arabic is regarded as the only modern language written from right to left. Thus, we need to get acquainted with the language so that the misconceptions regarding religious interpretations can be removed. Educational institutes, particularly universities can introduce Arabic as a course to encourage students to learn the language as well as become acquainted with its history.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2022.
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