Arabic Language Day

Arabic Language Day is an annual celebration that promotes the importance and cultural significance of the Arabic language. It recognizes Arabic as one of the most widely spoken languages globally and highlights its contributions to literature, science, and the arts.

Quick facts

When is it?: December 18th
Tagged as: Cultural celebration, Language awareness
What’s the hashtag?: #ArabicLanguageDay
When was it founded?: 2010
Who founded it?: UNESCO

History of Arabic Language Day

UNESCO established Arabic Language Day in 2010 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity. The date, December 18th, was chosen to commemorate the United Nations General Assembly’s decision in 1973 to include Arabic as one of its official languages.

Timeline

632: The Quran is written in Classical Arabic
8th century: Numerous poems and works are written in Arabic
1973: Arabic becomes the sixth official language of the UN
2010: UNESCO establishes World Arabic Language Day
2012: First official celebration of World Arabic Language Day

Upcoming Dates

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	December 18	Thursday
2026	December 18	Friday
2027	December 18	Saturday
2028	December 18	Monday
2029	December 18	Tuesday
2030	December 18	Wednesday

Observed

Arabic Language Day is celebrated worldwide, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries and at UNESCO headquarters. Events include cultural performances, lectures, exhibitions, and language workshops.

Fun Facts About Arabic Language Day

Arabic is spoken by over 420 million people worldwide
It belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language family
Arabic has influenced many European languages, including English
The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters
Arabic is written from right to left

Quiz

When is Arabic Language Day celebrated?
Who established Arabic Language Day?
How many people speak Arabic worldwide?

(Answers: 1. December 18th, 2. UNESCO, 3. Over 420 million)

FAQs

Q: Why was December 18th chosen for Arabic Language Day?
A: It marks the day in 1973 when the UN General Assembly adopted Arabic as its sixth official language.

Q: How can I participate in Arabic Language Day?
A: You can attend cultural events, learn basic Arabic phrases, read Arabic literature, or share information about Arabic culture on social media.

Importance of Arabic Language Day

Arabic Language Day promotes linguistic diversity, cultural understanding, and the preservation of Arabic heritage. It highlights the language’s historical contributions to science, literature, and philosophy while fostering dialogue between different cultures.