Speakers call for promoting Arabic language and literature

Islamabad: Speakers at an international conference held here on Thursday at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) called for promoting Arabic language to have a better understanding of Quranic teachings, says a press release.

The speakers from home and abroad spoke about the important role of the Universities in projecting the language and keeping the young generation abreast with the modern trends and contemporary needs of learning literature.

The conference was arranged to promote Arabic language and literature as well their relevance to literature of other languages and cultures.

The speakers deliberated upon the topic of ‘Contemporary Arabic literature’, with special reference to Pakistani local culture and inter-cultural influence of different literature on the human society.

The participants included Muslim scholars from Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Oman and UAE. Those who also addressed the inaugural session included President Islamic International University Dr. Ahmed Yousaf Al-Darwish and the AIOU’s Dean Islamic Studies Dr. Shah Mohyuddin Hashimi.

The guests were welcomed by the Vice Chancellor AIOU Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum, who hoped that the conference’s deliberations will help to understand the Arabic culture and to apply it in promoting research on socio-economic issues.

Justice Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghazali, judge of Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate bench was the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the opening session that was largely participated by the scholars and researchers.

He highlighted the concept and historical background of the Arabic language, and emphasized that the language should be made part of the Muslims’ life. The leaders of the Pakistan’s movement like Sir Agha Khan wanted to make Arabic, a language of the independent Muslim State, he added.

The conference was a part of the University’s concerted efforts promoting academic debate among the scholars from home and abroad on the matters of common interest for the guidance of the young generation.

It was scheduled to hold eight working sessions, during which eighty research-papers were to be presented.