Rokiah Mahmud
The Arabic language has been recognised as the sixth official language at the United Nations (UN), said Acting Dean of Faculty of Arabic Language Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Abdul Karim during the one-day International Seminar of Arabic Language Festival.
She said the international seminar to commemorate World Arabic Language Day falls every December 18, and this year’s celebration is themed ‘The Contribution of the Arabic Language to Human Civilization and Culture’.
Yesterday’s seminar was organised by the Faculty of Arabic Language of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in cooperation with Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), Rabitah International of Alumni of Al-Azhar Brunei Darussalam Arabic
Language Association.
Some 100 academics, students from UNISSA and KUPU SB, scholars, alumni of Al-Azhar University and the Brunei Darussalam Arabic Language Association participated in the seminar which aimed at disseminating the importance of the Arabic language, as the language of Al-Quran, ibadah, knowledge and civilisation. It also served as a platform for academics and students to exchange ideas and share experiences in their respective fields, thus indirectly building cooperation with foreign institutions as part of the effort in promoting the use of the Arabic language.
Rector of UNISSA Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, in his capacity as Vice Ra’es of Rabitah International Alumni of Al-Azhar Brunei Darussalam, was present as the guest of honour.
Acting Ra’es of KUPU SB Dr Haji Abang Hadzmin bin Haji Abang Taha, as Ra’es of Brunei Darussalam Arabic Language Association and Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Yussof Ra’es of Rabitah International Alumni of Al-Azhar Brunei Darussalam, were also present.
