Both these attempts failed, although Arabic is now the main language. There was also an attempt to replace French with English as a mandatory language of international commerce and science. Despite a policy of Arabization since independence in 1962 (the goal was to eliminate French from society as the language of imperialism), Algeria remains a major Francophone nation. With the French language came attachment to French political values and culture. In places like Algeria, the imposition of the French language constituted a major plank of cultural imperialism.
Western notions, ideas and values were also embedded through European languages. During the colonial and post-colonial phase of Muslim history, language has been a significant contributory factor in the division of the Muslim world, and the rise of nationalism. Language Colonialism and the rise of Secular Nationalism. The great poet Muhammad Iqbal had many more writings in Persian than he did in Urdu and as a consequence, his ideas have been responsible for Islamic revival beyond the Indian subcontinent. With these languages came a culture of civility, and literature, based on the pursuit of knowledge, as well as transmission of values of Islam. Persian tended to be the language of the elite and literature, Arabic that of the religious class, as well as Turkish and Urdu among the masses. The role of Persian, Arabic and later Urdu and Ottoman Turkish have played a significant role in shaping the religion and culture of past periods of Muslim rule across vast regions. They translated the literary works of the Greeks and others into Arabic, and from there they were translated into European languages.Īt the height of Islamic civilisation Muslim scholars would learn many different languages. Muslims learned Greek and other languages. “Verily we have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand” (Al Quran 12:2)īeyond Arabic, the learning and mastery of languages was central to Islamic civilisation. The Arabic language must therefore be central to social solidarity between Muslims in any future unification process. It is a common link which can help transmit shared history, ideas, concepts, and values of Islam. Arabic is not just the language of divine revelation.
Regardless of their linguistic, cultural, or racial differences, Muslims form one Ummah (as a community of believers). It contains deeply historic and religious symbolism…” Arabic is thus more than just a mode of conversational, political, and mercantile discourse like English or French. Arabic unifies disparate populations and helps them transcend national borders. “The dominant language of the Middle East is Arabic. This important solidifying aspect was highlighted in a report of the US based think tank Rand in “the Muslim world after 911” published in 2004. It would serve to transmit Islamic culture, history, values, and religious knowledge. It should be seen as a unifying factor among diverse Muslim people.
However, using a unified language across diverse populations can also foster a strong sense of identity, patriotism and unifies mindsets and thus develop a strong sense of social solidarity, and resilience against external threats.Īrabic Language learning should not just be viewed as a vehicle to gain employment and trade in Arab speaking countries, and across the Muslim world. Research has shown that language unification can be important for job mobility across borders as well as business growth. It would not be that much of a step up to learn to understand and write Arabic, especially if done at a school age.
So, Muslims are already familiar with some key words and pronunciation. Yet Muslims from every country already learn to read the Quran in Arabic, mainly for the purpose of recitation and prayers. Most of the Muslim world do not speak Arabic as their native language. It is the key to understanding the Quran, and the language of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Blocs or federations that do not share a common language struggle to hold regions together in the long run.įor Muslims, Arabic is the obvious choice as a unifying language. Allied blocs of countries tend to have a common language that helps to bind separate states/people together. Factor six of the 12 we identify is a common language. In our report “Creating a new Civilisation of Islam” we identify 12 approaches or factors that can help create greater solidarity between Muslims around the world.
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