SIBF 2022: Meet the Indian author aiming to build a bridge between Arab and Malayali communities

on Nov 08, 2022

Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Aziz, a Sharjah-based Indian expat, has launched three books written in Arabic at the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), with the goal of bridging the Arab and Malayalam cultures.

Dr. Majeed is from Kerala and has been living and working in the UAE since 2001. His three books include "My Tryst With Arabic Language," "Khalil Mutran: The Pioneer of Romantic Poetry in Arabic Literature," and the translated "Memorial Stones," a national award-winning novel written in Malayalam by Dr Punathil Kunhi Abdulla.

He started working as a researcher and translator in 2005, after three years as an Arabic and Islamic Studies teacher at Sharjah's Our Own English High School. Dr. Majeed's two books, "My Tryst With Arabic Language" and the translation of "Memorial Stones," aim to strengthen cultural ties between the Arab and Malayali communities, both of which have a long history in the Gulf region due to trade relations dating back many centuries.
Dr. Majeed spoke about his love for the Arabic language in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, stating that it is one of the most popular languages in the world. He claims that it is spoken by over 467 million people worldwide and is one of the most widely spoken Semitic languages. It is also the world's sixth most spoken language.

According to Dr. Majeed, the language historically carried an Islamic identity in India, which grew stronger during the 13th century as it was spoken under the rule of Muslims, Hindus, and the British.

"I fell in love with the language as a child, and my studies culminated in a doctorate from one of India's most prestigious universities, where 40 universities have departments dedicated to Arabic and Islamic studies."

There are over 30,000 Islamic institutions in India, as well as hundreds of arts and science colleges with Arabic language departments. Across the country, hundreds of Arabic colleges provide specialised instruction in the language. As a result, millions of students are learning this wonderful language."

"In this book," he explained, "I have recalled my experience with the language, the difficulties that students face while learning it, and the opportunities that await them after they have spent so many years acquiring these skills."

In the second chapter, I discuss the Indo-Arab relations that began thousands of years ago, after which both worlds' relations were strengthened.

The book discusses various dialects in the Arab world, including the sovereignty of the Quraish dialect and the creator's choice of the language as the Holy Quran's language.

It also discusses the care given to the Arabic language by different dynasties of rulers in India, as well as the conflicts between European powers in the country.

"The book also discusses my experiences in the UAE teaching Arabic and Islamic studies at the secondary school level," Dr. Majeed added.

He stated that he translated "Memorial Stones" by Dr Punathil Kuchabdula, an avant-garde Malayalam author, in an attempt to introduce Arabic readers to Malayali literature.

Dr. Kuchabdula is widely regarded as a literary master, so he chose these novels. In 1978, he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and in 1980, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award.