On December 18, 2021, the annual United Nations’ (UN) World Arabic Language Day was observed on the theme ‘Arabic Language, a bridge between civilisations’. This day honors the Arabic language, which is spoken by over 400 million people globally and celebrates the cultural diversity of the Middle Eastern region.
Background:
i.World Arabic Language Day was first celebrated in 2012.
ii.This observance coincides with the same day (December 18) in 1973 when the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Arabic as its’ sixth official language. The other official languages of the UN are Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
About Arabic Language:
i.As per UNESCO, Arabic first emerged in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula.
ii.It is described as the member of the Semitic family of languages which also includes Hebrew and Aramaic.
iii.The language has given rise to a “fascinating aesthetic” in fields such as music, architecture, literature and philosophy.
Key Point:
i.This year’s event reaffirms the crucial role of the Arabic language in connecting people through culture, science, literature and several other fields as well as enhancing dialogue and building peace.
Recent Related News:
The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Democracy is annually observed across the globe on September 15th to provide an opportunity to review the state of democracy across the globe. The day also promotes democratic principles, values of freedom, and respect for human rights.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
