Arabic is the language of Arabs and Ismael Bin Ibrahim (peace be upon them) was the first to speak the Arabic language when he was thirteen years old. Afterwards, the twelve sons of Ismael spread Arabic language. There was disagreement among scholars about the origins of Arab individual and probably he was an Arab. Arab individual is more proficient than other speakers in Arabic as it is the language of the Holy Quran, which is still recited until today.
Arabic language is the broadest language. Allah selected Arabic as the language of Islam, which was the last religion to come down. Ibn Taymiyyah said "Arabic language itself is part of Islam, and knowing Arabic is an obligatory duty. If it is a duty to understand the Quran and Islam and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic then the means needed to fulfill the duty also becomes obligatory".
Arabic language is one of the recognized living languages and its civilizational role is widely recognized. Moreover, Arabic was the language of culture, science and knowledge long time ago. Knowledge seekers learnt Arabic as a mean for learning sciences and knowledge. In spite of its weak speakers and low progress, Arabic occupies the same position until today.
The history of UOP Arabic Language and Literature Department:
The Arabic Language and Literature Department went through many phases as follows:
First Phase: Establishment Phase
The Department of Arabic Language started its works in 1991, which was UOP inauguration year. The Department of Arabic was a sub-department of the Linguistics Department, which was chaired by Prof. Daoud Abdah. The English Language and Literature Department was the other sub-department of Linguistics Department. Prof. Ahmad Al-Khateeb chaired Arabic Language and Literature Department and Prof. Ali Hajjaj chaired the English Language and Literature Department. The Department of Linguistics was teaching university requirements and department requirements for Bachelor Degree in Arabic Language and Literature.
Second Phase: Development Phase
The Department of Arabic Language and Literature conducted a constructive review to its programs and plans and started amending them to keep pace with the latest developments. The Department of Arabic Language and Literature set the roadmap for the establishment of the center of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers in cooperation with the Department of English Language and Literature. The Department of Arabic Language and Literature started teaching Arabic for postgraduates.
Third Phase: Prosperity Phase
After twenty years of establishment, the Department of Arabic Language and Literature launched Master's program in Arabic Language and Literature upon finalizing the requirements of UOP councils and higher education councils.
During the upcoming phase, the Department of Arabic Language and Literature looks forward to:
Establish the Faculty of Arabic Language and Literature, which is expected to offer programs in the areas of creative Arabic, such as scenario writing, dialogue for television, radio and cinema works.
The Department of Arabic Language and Literature offers the following degrees:
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Bachelor Degree in Arabic Language and Literature (since its establishment).
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Master Degree in Arabic Language and Literature (since 2011).
The Chairman of Arabic Language and Literature Department:
Chair of Arabic & Literature Language Department |
Year |
Prof. Dawood Abdo |
1991-1994 |
Prof. Mohammed Houwar |
1994-1996 |
Prof. Ahmad Al-Khateeb |
1996-2010 |
Prof. Essam Sakhnini |
2010-2012 |
Dr. Khalid Jaber |
2012-2014 |
Dr. Atef Kanaan |
2014-2018 |
Prof. Razan Ibrahim |
2018-2019 |
Dr. Amani Suleiman |
2019-2022 |
Dr. Sameeh Miqdadi |
2022-.... |
