THIS is apropos the letters ‘Compulsory Arabic’ (Feb 18 and 27). Under the present circumstances, the best course of action in this respect is that the prayer-leaders in mosques should spare around 30 minutes five times a day after Isha prayer to teach basic Arabic to public in the mosques.

This will facilitate the learning of basic spoken Arabic for the younger generation as well as for adults who are regularly attending mosques for prayers. This practice is followed in some mosques in North America. If this is introduced in Pakistan, the public will surely welcome it and participate in it wholeheartedly.

In the 1950s, the late Mufti Mohammad Shafi’s Darul Uloom in Karachi’s Nanak Wara area had free Arabic classes on its premises that were attended by many enthusiastic learners. There was a big response to these classes. As a child, I had attended these classes and they helped me learn basic Arabic.

Qasim Abbas
Mississauga, Canada

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2021