The Arab world, made up of 22 countries and the Palestinians, extends from the Arabian/Persian Gulf in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west and has a population of about 300 million, 20 million of whom are Christian Arabs. Arabic is their dominant mode of expression. It is also an important language in other countries. Arabic is the language of Islam, and more than a billion people use it as a vital spiritual component of their daily lives. The United Nations adopted Arabic as one of its six official languages in 1974.
Events in the Middle East affect our daily lives, and only through the study of Arabic can one gain necessary insights into the cultural, religious, and political forces that motivate the inhabitants of that vital region - insights that our monolingual media seldom provide.
Middle East is the birthplace of civilization and the cradle of the three monotheistic religions. It also contains some of the world's greatest archeological and religious sites. It is the locus of two thirds of the world's known oil reserves. Moreover, it is rich with interesting cultures and warm, hospitable people. A good knowledge of Arabic will greatly enhance the enjoyment of travel in the region and the ability to work and interact with Arabic speaking people. Qualified students may seek available funding - for example, from the UC Office of International Programs, the Taft Foundation, and federal agencies - to enroll in an Arabic study abroad program.