Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,

Mr. Dennis Francis,

At World Arabic Language Day

18 December 2023

 

Video link: https://youtu.be/2kv5S2db8tk

[As Delivered]

 

Your Excellency, Dr Abdulaziz Alwasil, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

 

Madame Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed,

As-hab, Al Sa’dah, (Excellencies,)

Al Saidat wa al Sadah, (Ladies and Gentlemen,)

Al Salam Al’kum, (Peace be Upon You.)

 

In the spirit of Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, emphasizing that the best acts in Islam are feeding the needy and offering greetings of peace, I extend warm salutations of peace and goodwill to all.

 

Rooted in the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabic language has transcended borders – influencing over 390 million people across the Arab world and shaping daily communication.

From the Khaleeji dialects in the Arabian Peninsula, to Morocco and Mauritania, Arabic is the harmonic thread that weaves the diverse tapestry of communication across vast lands, and it is articulated in countless voices.

Its influence has left indelible imprints on other languages – shaping the evolution of Urdu in Pakistan, Somali in the African Horn, and Wolof in West Africa.

 

The term “Algebra” – derived from the Arabic word “al-jabir” meaning “the reunion of broken parts” – not only has mathematical roots, but also remains embedded in everyday Arabic language; even finding expression as a first name.

 

The extensive influence of Arabic heritage manifests in astronomy with star names like Ain (meaning “eye”) and Adib (meaning “the wolf”). While luminaries – such as Syrian Arab ibn Al-Nafis in medicine, and the 14th century traveller Ibn Battutah in politics and social issues – exemplify its profound influence on disciplines we still practice to this day.

 

This rich array of contributions across various disciplines attests to the depth and breadth of Arabic influence.

 

As-hab, Al Sa’dah, (Excellencies,)

Al Saidat wa al Sadah, (Ladies and Gentlemen,)

 

The importance of the Arabic language on the global stage is also evident in its status within the United Nations.

 

From attaining recognition as one of the six UN official languages in 1973 – a 50th anniversary we commemorated this year – it is without doubt that Arabic has continuously evolved and expanded.

 

This perpetual dynamism is what adds to the intrinsic beauty of languages.

 

As the modern Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi – the Prince of Poets – once said: “He who filled languages with every charming trait, chose Arabic alone to be beauty incarnate.”

 

In this spirit, let us celebrate the richness of the Arabic language and its profound impact on all facets of human civilization.

 

Wa Shukran.