December 18 was chosen as the date for the annual celebration of Arabic Language as it was “the day in 1973 when the General Assembly approved Arabic as an official UN Language”.

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –    NEW YORK  –  As-Salam-Aleykum!    UN Arabic International Language Day was observed Wednesday by the United Nations.  December 18 was chosen as the date for the annual celebration of Arabic Language as it was “the day in 1973 when the General Assembly approved Arabic as an official UN Language”.  Other official languages of the UN General Assembly are English, French, Russian, Spanish and Chinese.  The Arabic language is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by more than 290 million people. World Arabic Language Day is celebrated every year on 18 December since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the Organization.   It is widely believed that Arabic is the first language of algebra, medicine, chemistry, alchemy, and astrology. It’s usage in art, literature, archaeology, research, knowledge, philosophy,

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  Arabic International Language Day celebrated in lobby of UN world headquarters in New York Dec.  18, 2019

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  Video /  UN Arabic International Language Day was observed by the United Nations December 18, 2019. Participants at UN world headquarters in New York play a game learning the Arabic alphabet

Credit:  Strong, delicious Arabic Coffee and Dates from Saudi Arabia at  Arabic International Language Day celebrated in lobby of UN world headquarters in New York

Dates, or “Tamar” in Arabic, is a staple food in households across North Africa, Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula.   Tamar are a symbol for power, wealth, abundance, triumph, and faith.

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  Strong, hot, delicious Arabic coffee flowed at the  World Arabic Language Day celebration at UN headquarters in New York.  Republic of Kuwait  concession with its dates too

Credit: Gary Raynaldo  /  Republic of Jordan concession with Arabic coffee, dates and culture on display at UN world headquarters.

The celebration is organized in cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced on Wednesday that 2020 will be designated as the “Year of Arabic Calligraphy.”  The announcement was made on the United Nations’ World Arabic Language Day.