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Hyderabad, Feb 20 (IANS) Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Miyan Wednesday proposed academic exchange programme between his varsity and universities of Saudi Arabia. Addressing a seminar on "Teaching Arabic language in India: curricula and scope for promotion", he said MANUU with the approval from the government of India could start exchange programmes. Ali Mohd. Al-Shehri, cultural attache at Saudi Arabia's embassy in New Delhi, responded positively to the idea of academic exchange between Indian universities offering Arabic courses and their Saudi counterparts, said a statement. He identified King Abdullah Centre for Arabic, Riyadh, as an appropriate institution in Saudi Arabia to take the initiative. Describing Hyderabad as Centre for Islamic Culture in India, the Saudi diplomat said that Islam is the underlying force behind the popular usage of Arabic among Muslims all over the world. Learning of Arabic is necessary to comprehend Quranic teachings and Prophet Mohammed's message. Arabic is treated as a "local language" in the sub-continent, he remarked. The Saudi diplomat noted that many scholars from this part of the world are well known in the Arabic literary world, said the statement. The government of India is providing Arabic education in 20 central universities through the University Grants Commission. Zubair Ahmed Farooqui, former head of department of Arabic, Jamia Millia Islamia, described Arabic as the fifth largest spoken language in the world. Not satisfied with the present Arabic teaching system in India, Farooqui said Arabic students should be prepared keeping in view the demands and requirements of the prevailing market.
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