Islamabad: The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) commemorated World Arabic Language Day at its Female Campus by organizing a calligraphy exhibition and an academic session. The event, themed “The Arabic Language: Our Past and Our Present,” highlighted the language’s role in cultural and intellectual heritage.

The celebration took place at the Fatima tuz-Zahra Auditorium, adorned with Arabic calligraphy created by students. The exhibition, led by Dr. Moid Fazil, featured a range of Arabic calligraphic styles from classical to modern, crafted by both students and faculty.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, inaugurated the calligraphy gallery. He praised the students’ creativity and lauded IIUI’s efforts in promoting Arabic learning.

Dr. Samya Nazish, head of the Arabic Faculty at the Female Campus, conducted the proceedings. The Dean of the Faculty of Arabic discussed the global significance of World Arabic Language Day and the language’s role in preserving cultural and scholarly traditions.

Dr. Saleh Sulaiman A. Alghofaili, representing the university’s president, opened the academic session. He emphasized Arabic’s importance in connecting Muslim societies and accessing religious and educational resources.

Dr. Fazlullah, Dean of Arabic, spoke about Arabic’s history and global relevance. He highlighted the contributions of IIUI’s Arabic graduates and called for expanded Arabic education in Pakistan.

Dr. Moid Fazil addressed the artistic value of Arabic calligraphy, while Dr. Abdul Mujeeb Bassam and Dr. Mohammed Al Qarni discussed Arabic as a language of knowledge and international scholarship. They emphasized its role in understanding Islamic texts and engaging in global academic discussions.

Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, as Chief Guest, reiterated Arabic’s significance as the language of the Quran and Hadith. He acknowledged IIUI’s academic initiatives and leadership and expressed support for establishing Arabic language centers nationwide. He also stressed the importance of enhancing educational cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The event concluded with the presentation of shields, gifts, and certificates to students and faculty, including a shield for the Federal Minister in appreciation of his participation.