Mangalore, July 29: The city based Hidayah Foundation in association with Hyderabad based Muslim Educational Social and Cultural Organization launched 'Hidayah-Mesco Arabic Academy' at Jamiyyathul Falah Community Hall, here on Friday.
Chairman of Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi Memorial Educational and Charitable Trust Y Mohammed Kunhi launched the Academy by handing over text books of Arabic language to the Founder of Hidayah Foundation Kasim Ahmed H K.
Importance of Arabic
The launching programme was followed by a panel discussion in which dignitaries expressed their views laying emphasis on the importance of learning the Arabic language.
Abdussalam Puthige, Editor of a local Kannada newspaper, opined that one of the major reasons for people's disinclination towards the Arabic in the region, was that there was no relationship between 'earning' and learning the language of Qur'an.
“Most discouraging factor in learning Arabic is that you cannot find a model, who can impress the general people through his achievements in this field,” he observed.
Mr Puthige pointed out there is a need to motivate to learn Arabic in the context of both social and spiritual dimensions.
Prof M Abdul Rahman, Former Vice Chancellor, Calicut and Kannur Universities, said that people had found no necessity to learn Arabic in the past. “People will learn a language only if it offers job opportunities. Once you make the necessity people will gradually get attracted to this language,” he opined.
He also suggested opening courses such as Post Graduation Diploma in Arabic or in Qur'anic Arabic in affiliation with Kannur University since there is no such option in Mangalore University.
Dr C P Habeeb Rahman, Chairman, Unity Academy of Education, Mangalore, said that not knowing Arabic language was big loss for Muslims.
Dr Muhammad Ifthikaruddin, Director, MESCO, Hyderabad, said that the immature presumption of most of the Muslims that it is not easy to learn Arabic, kept them language away from this beautiful language. “Moreover, the apparent division between religious and material education became a hurdle in learning Arabic.
Other reasons for the poor condition of Arabic language in the subcontinent, steps required to change this phenomenon, measures to promote Arabic language in the young generation were also discussed on the occasion
Felicitation
Sixteen students who have completed Arabic learning course of a period of seven months and ten days at Hyderabad were felicitated at the function.
Anees Fathima and Afreena who have scored highest marks in the course were given special prizes by Dr Ifthikaruddin.
Kasim Ahmed H K delivered introductory remarks, while Umar U H compered the programme.
Comments
Add new comment