British Embassy in Morocco Celebrates Arabic Language Day

Rabat – December 18 is the UN’s World Arabic Language Day. The British Embassy in Morocco decided to share their celebration of the event in a video on social media.

The British Ambassador to Morocco shared the video celebrating the importance of the Arabic language.

“Arabic language is very important in the world. It is one of the six official languages of the UN, and it is one of the four primary languages in the British Foreign Office. It is a beautiful, deep, and historic language that has a lot of importance. I love speaking in Arabic,” said the ambassador in fluent Arabic.

The embassy also posted photos and videos of the different employees sharing their favorite word in Arabic.

The words included “ihtiram” (respect), “chukran” (thanks), “machi muchkil” (no problem), “al-azima” (determination), “al-ikhlas” (loyalty), and “attabiaa” (nature).

The UN designated December 18 as World Arabic Language Day in 2012. The annual event coincides with the day in 1973 that the UN General Assembly adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the organization.

“In the diversity of its forms, classic or dialectal, from oral expression to poetic calligraphy, the Arabic language has given rise to a fascinating aesthetic, in fields as varied as architecture, poetry, philosophy, and song. It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its links with other languages,” says UNESCO’s website about the language.

“Arabic has played a catalytic role in knowledge, promoting the dissemination of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies to Renaissance Europe. It has enabled a dialogue of cultures along the silk roads, from the coast of India to the Horn of Africa,” adds the website.