BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Indian Arabic teachers and scholars, especially those associated with universities, have made invaluable contributions to the Arabic language and literature, said Mazin Al Masoudi, in-charge, League of Arab States Mission in India recently.
“Arabic teachers and scholars in India have made significant and unforgettable contributions to Arabic language and literature, and they are continuing to serve for the development of the Arabic language in the country,” said Al Masoudi speaking at a symposium at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of India’s most premier institutes of higher education.
Al Masoudi said: “Arab League is ready to support the promotion of the Arabic language, literature and culture in India through all possible means. We have a collection of over 50,000 books in our library, and we welcome all those who want to avail these resources.”
The event was organised by All India Association of Arabic Teachers and Scholars at the Centre of Arabic and African Studies (CAAS) in the School of Languages in JNU, New Delhi, to observe the World Arabic Language Day last week.
In 2010, Unesco, as part of its efforts to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity throughout the organisation, chose December 18 as the date for the Arabic language as it is the day in 1973 when the General Assembly approved Arabic as an official UN language.
The event was chaired by Egypt’s Ambassador to India, Hatim Tajuddin, and attended by about 250 distinguished guests, including teachers, scholars and senior diplomats, according to a New Delhi-based Urdu daily.
Professor S K Sopory, Vice Chancellor of JNU, said: “Such literary events and activities enhance the prestige of our university. I would like to thank Professor Mujeebur Rahman, Chairperson of CAAS, for organising the event.”
In India, Arabic as an elementary language is mainly taught in thousands of religious schools (called Madrasa, run on individual donations) that primarily teach Islamic theology. Out of these Madaris, some are well-established seminaries that offer advanced studies in Arabic language and literature. To name a few are Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema (Lucknow)’ Jamia Salafiya (Banaras); Darul Uloom Deoban, Jamia Falahul Muslimeen; Jamiatul Islaah and others.
In addition, there are also hundreds of colleges and universities across the country that offer various degree and diploma courses in Arabic language and literature.
“Many students after passing out from these Madaris go to universities such as JNU, Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia for higher studies such as masters and doctorates for better career,” said Dr Abu Saad Nadwi, a Doha-based Indian scholar who did a comparative analysis between Abu Tayyib Al Mutanabbi and Mirza Ghalib, two great poets of Arabic and Urdu literature, respectively.
Dr Saad said that many even go abroad such as Jamia Al Azhar, Oxford University and many other institutes in Egypt, Syria and Sudan to pursue advanced studies.
He added: “But such students are very few. Unfortunately the majority of students after passing out from Indian Madaris, in absence of financial support, fail to receive contemporary education. So they either end-up with very low paid jobs or look for better opportunities to Gulf countries.”
Another Delhi-based scholar, Dr Mohammad Ajmal, a guest faculty at CAAS, said: “Arabic, along with many other foreign languages, is taught in most of the Indian Universities. But unlike the embassies and cultural centres of other countries, Arab missions demonstrate lackadaisical gestures and are making very little efforts to promoting their langue and culture in India.”
He noted that like European and other West Asian countries such as Iran, Turkey and Israel, Arab world can also promote their language and culture by offering scholarships and fellowships to Indian students.
The Peninsula
