Tongue-tied in a troubled region

Dubai: The current situation in the Middle East has revealed more than ever before the communication gap between the peoples of this troubled region. But some in the region have taken it upon themselves to learn about their surroundings more than others, whether it is to 'know thy enemy', 'know thy neighbour' or simply out of curiosity.

Most major universities in Israel teach Arabic, the second official language of the Jewish state. A significant number of government and military officials as well as academics speak the language fluently and have often used their knowledge for pragmatic purposes.

In the Arab world, however, the knowledge of Israel, Zionism and Judaism is feeble. Few universities in Arab countries dedicate their resources to understanding Israel, and no university in the UAE and the Gulf Arab region offers such studies.

While recognising the significance of the study of Israel, its language and ideologies, Dr Ebtisam Al Kitby, professor of political science at UAE University, said it is important to remember that learning Arabic as a second or third language is an easy option for many Israelis.

Those of Jewish-Arab background, she said, grow up speaking the language at home, an advantage the rest of the Arab world does not have with regard to Hebrew.

"Students in the Arab, Gulf regions tend to learn English and French as second and third languages instead because they are not directly affected by the Middle East conflict."

Nonetheless, there is a growing interest among UAE students in studying Zionism, Judaism and Hebrew.

UAE national Mira Al Hussain, 23, is about to start a masters degree programme in international relations in the UK, where she plans to study Hebrew.

Mira recently wrote an open letter to US president George W. Bush criticising his Middle East policy, which has been widely published, and circulated on the internet, and has provoked a barrage of e-mail messages many of which came from Israel.

A majority of the letters Mira received from Israel were "respectful" but denounced her views, which Mira believes demonstrates a "communication gap" between Israelis and Arabs.

This "crucial feedback", she said, confirmed the need to understand Israeli history, culture and religion and "most importantly, their language". Rasha Hinti, a 22-year-old Syrian student at the American University in Sharjah (AUS), said she would want to learn Hebrew to be able to read the Israeli press and converse with Israelis.

"Languages demolish boundaries. More importantly, people can realise that at the end of the day, we are all human beings and not just pieces of land," she said.

UAE national Fares Al Suwaidi argued that there is more to the Hebrew language than politics and conflict. A doctoral candidate at Harvard University, Al Suwaidi has a "personal fascination" with Hebrew and can speak it fluently.

"I don't feel that the current political situation should be the sole impetus [in learning Hebrew], nor should it be its sole end," he said, adding that he found the language "very interesting … given how similar it is to Arabic, but also how different."

Dr Ebtisam said study of Israel, Hebrew and Judaism does not lessen one's faith or nationalism. "Israel is a reality that is not going to go away whether you choose to study it or not," she said.

Abiya Ahmad, a Pakistani graduate of mass communications from the AUS, plans to circulate a petition calling on the university to introduce a religious studies programme that includes Judaism. Saiyad Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Arabic Studies at the AUS, said he is "absolutely amazed" at the disproportionate knowledge that Muslim academics have about the Jewish faith.

Hebrew, he says, is the gateway to understanding Judaism. "The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), for example, ordered Zaid Bin Thabit to learn the language of the Jews," he said, referring to a renowned seventh century scholar.