Anthony Iwuoma
Nigeria Arabic Language Village, Ngala (Inter-University Centre for Arabic Studies), has commemorated this year’s world Arabic day in Maidiguri, capital of Borno State.
Themed, “Arabic Language Academies: Necessity or Luxury?” the occasion was presided over by the Director/CEO of the centre, Prof. Muhammad Sani Abdulmumin.
World Arabic Language Day is celebrated on December 18 every year since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the organisation.
Speaking on the occasion, the newly appointed director stated that Arabic language is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by over 290 million people.
“In the diversity of its forms, classic or dialectal, from oral expression to poetic calligraphy, the Arabic language has given rise to a fascinating aesthetic, in fields as varied as architecture, poetry, philosophy and song. It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its links with other languages,” he added.
Continuing, Abdulmumin said: “The language has played a catalytic role in knowledge, promoting the dissemination of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies to Renaissance Europe. It has enabled a dialogue of cultures along the silk roads, from the coast of India to the Horn of Africa.
“Technological advancements and the extensive use of global languages, such as English and French has resulted in numerous changes in the use of Arabic. Increasingly, these foreign languages replace the Arabic language in both daily communication and in the academic field.
“In addition, Classical Arabic is being used less as more people are opting for the use of local Arabic dialectics. Due to this shift, there is a growing need to preserve Classical Arabic’s integrity by making it compliant with the demands of our changing language landscape today.”
According to the director, UNESCO will, through a virtual meeting with academics and professionals in Arabic language, initiate a global discussion to examine the role and the need of language academies as a space to safeguard and preserve the Arabic language.
“By exploring these questions, World Arabic Language Day 2020 will provide an opportunity to reflect on and discourse how Language Academies can help revive and enhance the use of classical Arabic. The Day showcased and celebrated the richness and global importance of the Arabic language worldwide,” Abdulmumin concluded and congratulated the centre for successfully hosting the World Arabic Day, promising that together they would make the Village great.
In attendance were the Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Okechukwu Christian Omeche, who was represented Prof Adam Muhammad Ajiri, as well as principal officers, staff, students and other invited guests who came from far and near.
