The Spoken Word: Arabic for Pakistanis

Despite strong opposing campaigns, it is safe to say the world is continuing to move towards a more globalized state. Countries around the world have squarely understood the importance of a ‘soft’ international image through a more meticulously recorded history, more awareness about their civilizational development, their past achievements, their archeological treasures, the richness of their music and literature and above all, their language. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are both fortunate inheritors of a rich cultural heritage, and share a great deal in common. The pivot of course comes from similar religious beliefs and a partially common social values system conjoined by the language of Islam: Arabic.

Additionally, a huge cultural exchange has been silently taking place in the last few decades, without much acknowledgement or fanfare as an ever greater number of Pakistanis move to Saudi Arabia.

In the wake of this interaction, many Arabic words have been quickly adopted into the folds of everyday diction in Pakistan. For example, the Urdu ‘Ramzan’ has largely transformed into the Arabic ‘Ramadan.’ 

Pakistanis want to learn Arabic largely for two main reasons. Firstly, as part of their own Islamic traditions, it is a sacred language that allows them a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran.

And secondly, especially for Pakistani expats living in Saudi Arabia, it naturally equips them with working knowledge of the language, so as to quickly and fully assimilate into an Arab society and day-to-day living.

In the past, these needs have been partially fulfilled by local teachers most of whom have not had any formal language training themselves. Expat workers learned Arabic in their own way, through daily interactions with coworkers and society at large. But with more than 2 million (and growing) Pakistanis now living in Saudi Arabia, informal linguistic education is falling short. It can however, be overcome with formal training facilities with the assistance of Saudi Arabia.

In Pakistan, foreign language schools are booming, mostly established by foreign governments of their own accord and investment. Goethe Institute, for example, provides modern learning facilities for German in major cities at a reasonable cost. Alliance Francaise is yet another success story, based in Islamabad and operating in all other major cosmopolitan centers. Due to their efforts, French has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most popular foreign languages to study. The centers are also hubs of cultural exchange and interaction, with numerous art exhibitions, film festivals and other events taking place throughout the year to showcase their heritage and provide local audiences with a taste of their cultural richness. They have permanent structures and coordinate with their respective embassies for cultural shows like musical and literary evenings.

Perhaps the most elaborate arrangement for the dissemination of their cultural heritage in Pakistan has been undertaken by the Iranian government. Since the 1960's, Iran’s Khana-i-Farhang cultural centers have spread awareness about its religious ideologies and teach Persian literature and language; known in Pakistan as the great language of the poets.

It is pertinent therefore, to ask why similar arrangements have not yet been contemplated by the Arab world with whom the bonds of affinity reside the strongest. It would be appropriate to consider setting up Arab cultural centers in Pakistan’s provincial capitals for starters, to begin the formal teaching of Arabic and Islamic culture.

Given the fact that 29% of the total Pakistani expat workforce lives in Saudi Arabia, it might be worthwhile to start a Pakistani language TV channel with Arabic content through the private sector, which might attract a strong Urdu-speaking audience in other Gulf countries as well.  We have already witnessed the success of an Urdu newspaper published in Jeddah, but television’s reach is far more wide-ranging and can be used to educate the Pakistani diaspora about Saudi laws and way of life. 

The ministries of culture in both countries must join hands in making these cross-cultural, literary and educational exchanges a reality. The power of the spoken word is the power to break barriers between communities, and in countries as closely knit as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, it is a power worth having.

• Rizwan-Ul-Haq Mahmood is a Pakistani diplomat, who has served in many Arab and Islamic countries as a member of Pakistan’s Foreign Service. He was Counsel General of Pakistan to Jeddah from 1999 to 2001. He also served as ambassador to Morocco and Spain.