A renowned South Indian group which runs a chain of religious and general educational institutions in the state of Kerala has lined up a host of events in the run-up to the UN Arabic Language Day celebrations.
Organizers of the event said the Fiesta Arabia, comprising various programs, would commence at the Ma’din Academy center in the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district of Kerala on Sunday. Speakers and contestants from nine Indian states and seven leading universities in the country will participate in the event. Giving the details of the program, Ibraheemul Khaleelul Bukhari, chairman of the Ma’din Academy said, “The program aims at celebrating the cultural and literary tradition of Arabic language as well as promoting the awareness of Arabic across the nation.”
Bukhari said the three-day event will also examine the influence of Arabic on other languages and various civilizations.
A national elocution contest in Arabic language will also be organized in this regard. The winners will be awarded gold medals and certificates.
Kerala has hundreds of religious schools imparting Arabic language courses. The state-run colleges also offer bachelors degree in Arabic language.
In 2010, UNESCO declared Dec. 18 as the World Arabic Language Day to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity across the world.
This is for the first time the day is being celebrated in the state which has a major chunk of Indian workers in the Gulf states. UN General Assembly approved Arabic as an official language in 1973.
Ma’din Academy will also award scholars who have made outstanding contributions to Arabic language. The prizes will be distributed at the concluding ceremony of the event.
Kerala to mark UN Arabic Language Day
