When the Power of Language and Culture Prevails
By Dr Ghulam M Haniff
St. Cloud, Minnesota
It is hardly known, even among the Muslims, that during the Middle
Ages, approximately the period from 850-1450 AD, the lingua franca of the world was the Arabic language. It was the language of commerce, the language of science and the language of diplomacy. Whenever scholars met they communicated in Arabic and as the language of science it was well developed with an extensive vocabulary. The most prominent gathering place was, of course, the capital of the Abbasid Empire, Baghdad, and for their European counterparts, it was Cordova in Al-Andalusia.
In the world today the American English is the most extensively used language and before America it was the British English. After the historical period around the middle of the fifteenth century the British rapidly rose in power, some of them followed in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus from which the world has yet to recover. Through force of arms and conquests they become the world's number one political power to which they have hung-on to this very day.
Therefore, the widest spoken world language is English regardless of which remote location you happen to be in. Other languages may be spoken but come in distant second, third or fourth. Arabic is hardly ever the first although it was a predominant language only a few centuries ago.
The decline of Arabic followed the decline of Islamic power and gradually led to a decline in dominance in commerce, diplomacy and science. If they wanted to they could have learned English but their pride was too much to cope with. Others survived by learning English or other languages such as French, Dutch or German or some others.
Arabic lingered on thanks to the power of the Ottoman states but that proved to be the last resort. The Muslim Ulema were against the learning of foreign languages, especially the European ones, and discouraged that effort. They also discouraged the printing of the Qur'an in other languages and therefore the Muslim World trudges behind to this day, tightly perched in the grips of the Third World. The current Islamization effort since the fifteenth century is the only effort to puncture this long historical period of decline.
The Arabic language is too important to be left in the hands of the Arabs. It must have other supporters, initiators, instigators and teachers. In that regard the Turkish initiators of the school system that teaches logistic skills is of paramount significance unless they become embroiled in some controversy. Another mechanism for a similar goal is the newly established “Reviving the Islamic Spirit” which portends to revive the spirit of learning among the Muslims. Regardless of where one is settled they can be in touch with the organization through the internet or conferences for the support undertaken in their learning endeavor.
The Turkish program operates under the guidance of the Gulen Movement, formerly of Izmir, although it has recently moved its operations to the United States of America. Fatheullah Gulen is an eminent scholar, and a preacher, who has resided in Turkey and now lives on the east coast of America.
The RIS enterprise is operated by a body of several scholars and delivers lectures on Islam, Islamic spirituality and the Arabic language. Included among its scholars are two familiar names, Hamza Yusuf and Tariq Ramadan. Its most successful endeavors are the winter conferences held each year in Toronto, Canada, around Christmas time, and exposure through YouTube, where one can listen to lectures. Each year, thousands attend its conferences and see the speakers on the stage in person.
Owing to its easiness many people have acquired facility in English, both at home and abroad. It has established some of the very best schools in every field conceivable. For a long time it dominated the educational infrastructure and in some respects it continues to do so even today. America is the same but its education is more widespread and more extensive.
Soon, it was a dominant player in commerce, economics, diplomacy and many other entrepreneurial activities. It has remained there since that time, gradually becoming more and more entrenched and a dominant player in the 20 th century. However, America has achieved its glory due mostly to the battlefield victories, the thirst for American goods, the pattern of living dictated by the middle class, movies, mass media and a wide variety of American literature. The reign of the dollar and international trade were a significant mix in all these affairs.
Muslims too, can excel in their efforts around the world with each community having a population of approximately 300 million each Americans and Muslims. World dynamics have changed and Muslims are in a position to be at the top through the exploitation of raw resources, becoming players in commerce, harnessing the environment and making the best use of very diverse population.
But first they must begin by mastering the art of reading and writing, spreading their culture in the world community and excelling in technological skills of various sorts.
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