The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
AN Islamic organisation based in Harare is offering a Diploma in Arabic Language in a bid to equip locals with linguistic skills for possible opportunities beyond the borders.
The diploma programme, which is accredited by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, is being offered free of charge by New Hope Charity Trust.
This was revealed by the institution’s Head of the Arabic Language Department, Sheikh Shuaib Asali, at the World Arabic Day commemorations held in Harare last Monday.
“Our diploma is accredited by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary. The programme is running for free and it is open to everyone. We are open even to other religions as long as one has completed their Ordinary Level, they are free to come and enrol.
“We do not say because you have enrolled for our diploma then join our religion, people are free to remain in their respective religions but still study here for free,” he said.
Optimistic of the new governing dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Arabic senior lecturer Sheikh Anubi Twabi said there were high prospects of foreigners investing in this country and hence the college saw the need to empower the citizens with Arabic language skills.
He added that it is crucial for locals to prepare for the possible opportunities.
“Now that we are in a new Zimbabwe, we are expecting more investors to be coming for investment opportunities and because Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages internationally, there is need for everyone to be equipped,” said SheikhTwabi.
Since it opened its doors at the beginning of this year, the college has 97 students studying Arabic with provision for weekend lessons to cater for the working class.
“The college also offers language translation services while also carrying out some work in Catholic International Conferences hosted by the African Union,” said Sheikh Asali.
On December 18 1973, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Arabic language as one of its official languages.
According to a 2015 United Nations document on official languages, Arabic is ranked the fourth most spoken language in the world with more than 200 million speakers across the globe.
Ambassador of the Republic of Egypt, Muhammad Fahmy described it as one of the most authentic languages in the world.
“Arabic language has produced one of the greatest human civilisations and is currently the fourth spoken language in the world.
“It is an official language of over 20 different countries and has more than 200 million speakers in the world, with most of the speakers concentrated in the Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
University of Zimbabwe chairman of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Dr Herbert Mushangwe encouraged people to grab the rare opportunity to enrol for the free course.
“I urge everyone out there to take the chance and study for free at the moment because later it may be paid for. This is not a cult and hence people should be free to learn and understand more about Arabic (language) and the religion itself,” said Dr Mushangwe.
He said this is a chance for Zimbabweans to get equipped as they await future opportunities through cross-cultural dialogue.
“These lessons will benefit Zimbabweans as it is an opportunity for them to establish links with other countries as this fosters easy engagement between them and foreigners like the Arabs around the world.
“I see this as a centre that will bring business people to their customers, a centre that will bring customers to their bosses and even expand those professionals,” he said.
In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) set aside December 18 as an Arabic Language Day to celebrate multi-lingualism and cultural diversity.
Other languages celebrated annually on the United Nations calendar are Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
