Language is a beautiful concept, an idea that symbolizes freedom, independence, and lifelong connections. Languages have existed since time immemorial, shaping the way humanity has navigated itself through the ages. Each language has its own open, special beauty, and knowledge that gives us a new vision of life. It has transcended all cultural barriers and has and will continue to function as a bridge to connect people from all walks of life.

There is a certain kinship that is born out of being able to speak the same language that goes beyond mere words. Every language on this planet acts as an embodiment of the culture of the land it originated from, and the same applies to the Arabic language as well. Universally, the International Day of the Arabic Language is celebrated on the 18th of December every year.

If we look at the evolution of the Arabic language, it can be traced back to the eighth century BC, making it one of the oldest and still very much used languages in the world. It rose to prominence, however, following the establishment of the ancient Silk Route, which linked countries in the world’s east and west. It is a member of the Semitic family of languages, which also includes Hebrew and Aramaic. It is still a widely spoken language in countries in the Middle East, although their dialects can differ.

Arabic in its purest form is believed to be spoken by the Bedouins of the deserts. Since they are a travelling group, the majority of the credit for the spread of the language can be placed at their feet. Despite all this, Arabic gained a prominent foothold in world culture and politics with the advent of Islam in the seventh century CE. Religion and language spread rapidly, hand in hand, as it was considered the language of the holy book of the Muslims, the Quran.

Right up to the present, this language has awed all and sundry for its poetic and symbolic context. It was recently popularized further with its seat of honour in the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar, where it was finally demonstrated to millions of people around the world that Arabic, while an exotic language, was simply a reflection of individual souls resonating with multitudes of their counterparts.

To conclude in the words of Morgan Freeman during the opening ceremony, ‘’We may or may not understand the words, but in the deepest part of us, we must understand and appreciate the emotions that connect us all”.

Written by: Rtr. Aaysha Sufran

Graphic design by: Rtr. Malithi Fernando