The Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in a virtual scientific symposium on the history of the Arabic language in Malaysia, which was held by the King Salman International Complex for the Arabic Language in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday (October 11, 2022) via videoconference.

Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of the Center, who represented ICESCO in the symposium, showed the influence of Arabic on the Malay language and Malaysian society over centuries, starting from the date of Islam’s entry to the Malay Archipelago until today, and the fundamental changes it has brought about in the religious, social, political and cultural life of the Malay nation.

The symposium touched upon four main themes: the history of the arrival of the Arabic language to Malaysia, the influence of the Arabic language on Malaysian culture, Arabic in the Malaysian language policy, and Arabic in contemporary Malaysian reality.

The debate also reviewed the most important gains made by Arabic in Malaysia and highlighted the contribution of Malaysian governmental and private institutions and individuals in spreading and promoting Arabic in Malaysian culture.