Govt to establish Arabic University in the state

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress-led UDF government in the state has decided to establish an International Arabic University in the state.

Replying to a calling attention motion in the assembly today to take steps to set up the Arabic University, Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb said the state government has approved the recommendations in this regard given by Higher Education Council.

As per the Finance Department's request, steps have already been initiated to take details of Arabic colleges in the state, he said while replying to the calling attention motion by P B Abdul Razak of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Government would take further steps after getting the report on this issue, he said, adding that the Sachar Committee had also pointed out the need to set up an Arabic University.

The minister said the demand to set up the University was a long standing one. It would also help the large number of people going to Gulf countries in search of jobs, he added.

Rabb said none considers the English language as one of a particular nation or community. Similarly, Arabic has also become a global language, he said.

The minister pointed out that December 18 was observed as 'Arabic Language day' as per the call of United Nations. "The arrival of Arabic language in Kerala has resulted in many cultural changes in the state," he added.