BA in Arabic in Norman United States | University of Oklahoma

As one of the six official United Nations languages, Arabic serves as the primary tongue for over 300 million individuals across more than 20 contemporary Arab nations in the Middle East, stretching from Morocco by the Atlantic to Oman along the Arabian Gulf. Furthermore, approximately 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide utilize Arabic in their daily religious practices. The modern Middle East is inhabited by communities renowned for their warm hospitality, generosity, and profound cultural and intellectual legacy. Being the birthplace of civilization and three major world religions, this region hosts some of the planet's most significant archaeological and historical landmarks. Numerous Middle Eastern cities flourished as centers of knowledge and culture for centuries. The area also boasts abundant petroleum and natural resources, containing roughly two-thirds of the globe's proven oil reserves, while serving as a crucial junction for East-West commerce. According to The American Association of Teachers of Arabic, understanding Middle Eastern developments requires Arabic language study, as it offers essential perspectives on the cultural, religious, and political dynamics shaping this pivotal area - insights often missing from single-language media coverage.