Arabic at the U of A

✨ Exciting News ✨

Two of our rising juniors from the University of Arkansas, Gretchen Bode and Sean Wiegers, are embarking on a transformative journey at Middlebury College's renowned Arabic School in Vermont! 👏

Known for its total immersion approach, this prestigious program promises to significantly advance their proficiency in the Arabic language and deepen their understanding of Arab culture 🌍🗣️

Professors Adnan and Paula Haydar, both with deep ties to Middlebury's Arabic School, are immensely proud of Bode's and Wiegers' acceptance into this highly competitive program. Adnan Haydar, who taught at Middlebury's Arabic School for several years, and Paula Haydar, a former student of the program, understand first-hand the profound impact this experience will have on their students.

Gretchen Bode, an Arabic major also studying criminology and sociology with a minor in Spanish, shared: "I start Middlebury tomorrow and am very excited and nervous! I am excited to attend Middlebury's language program this summer and hope to gain great fluency in Arabic. Through learning this language, I want to learn more about networking with new people and disciplines in a fast-paced environment."

Sean Wiegers, majoring in Arabic, Middle East studies, and honors international business finance, echoed her enthusiasm: "I am very excited for the Middlebury Program and to take an eight-week Arabic-only language pledge. I believe this experience will expand my horizons not only linguistically but personally and professionally. This will be a challenging program, but with dedication and hard work, I hope to make the most out of it."

Bode's and Wiegers' participation not only highlights their dedication to mastering Arabic but also underscores the University of Arkansas's commitment to fostering global competence and cultural awareness 🌟🌏

Let's wish Gretchen and Sean all the best as they take on this exciting challenge!💪🎉🙌

🌙✨ Eid Adha Mubarak! 🌙✨

Wishing all our Muslim students and friends around the globe a blessed and joyous Eid Al Adha!

May this special day bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones🐐🌟

Let's also remember and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine!

🇵🇸✌عيد أضحى مبارك وفلسطين حرة

Discover the Arab world in just eight days with ARAB 1100V! 🌍✈

This one-credit course, offered in the second eight-week session of fall 2024 (Oct. 9 to Nov. 5), provides a comprehensive exploration of Arab culture. From language and literature to music and cuisine, students will delve into the rich tapestry of Arab traditions, guided by our expert team of four Arabic faculty members.

No Arabic required. But you just might want to learn more! 😉

Through engaging lectures and community interactions, students will gain valuable insights into the diversity and complexity of Arab societies. Topics include cultural norms, language history, religious diversity, family dynamics, literature, art, cuisine, historical contributions, and the experiences of Arabs in America.

Previous students have raved about the course's ability to broaden horizons, foster understanding and highlight the commonalities between seemingly different cultures. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your worldview and embark on a journey through the Arab world.

Selected testimonials:

"This course makes me want to take Arabic in the fall. Learning about the Arab world is already enriching my conversations with my friends and family."
"I found that Middle Eastern culture and Western culture, although different, are the same at their roots."

"No matter what your preconceived notions are about a certain culture, tradition, race may be, deep down we're all the same. It is time to appreciate different cultures and celebrate the similarities."

"I enjoyed the course immensely and learned so much about Arab culture that I never knew before."

Join us for an unforgettable educational experience. Enroll now in ARAB 1100V! 🙌

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Avery Antill, an Arabic and Middle East studies major, has been selected for the highly competitive Center for Arabic Study Abroad program. Antill will spend nine months studying advanced Arabic language and culture at the Arab American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco.

This prestigious fellowship is a remarkable opportunity for Antill to immerse in North African Arab culture and hone her Arabic skills. The CASA fellowship covers tuition, round-trip airfare, a monthly stipend, program-related tours and subsidized trips to historical sites.

"This is an incredible honor to be selected as a CASA Fellow this year," Antill shared. "I hope to use this opportunity to refine my Arabic skills and learn more about the North African Arab culture and people."

Antill, a transfer student who began her studies at the U of A in Fall 2023, is expected to graduate in Spring 2025. She has already distinguished herself as a recipient of the WLLC Undergraduate Internship Award in spring 2024 and was awarded the Middle East Studies Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year, valued at $10,000.

The CASA program, established in 1967, has a rich history of training American students in advanced Arabic language and culture. With primary funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program and support from donors, CASA has trained over 1,700 students who have gone on to influential careers in academia, the U.S. State Department, and the private sector.

We congratulate Avery Antill on this incredible achievement and look forward to following her journey in Morocco.

ألف مبروك, "Congrats!" 🎓✨

📚For more information about the Arabic Program, visit arabic.uark.edu.

Introductory courses in Arabic language and culture are offered fall and spring. Register today! You belong in Arabic.

Check out our one credit Fall course "ARAB 1100V: Around the Arab World in 8 Days"! ✈️🌍 No prior knowledge required.

For more information, contact Professor Paula Haydar at [email protected].

And don't forget to spread the word! 😉

🌟Finals week just got brighter with our Student Spotlight!🌟

Join us as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our student, Sean Wiegers, a shining star at The American University in Dubai!

Currently pursuing majors in International Business, Arabic, and Middle Eastern Studies, Sean initially planned to stay for just a semester but is now considering an extended stay and even a summer internship in Dubai! 🏙️

Dubai's vibrant multicultural environment has captivated Sean, providing the perfect backdrop for expanding his business acumen and Arabic proficiency🌍 The diverse connections he has made thus far have been incredibly rewarding, and he is eagerly anticipating the exciting months ahead! 🤩

نحن فخورون بك يا Sean ونتمنى لك كل النجاح والتوفيق 🙌🎉🎉

If you are a current student or an alumni of our program and would like to be featured, please contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear your success stories.

📢 Calling all language enthusiasts and curious minds! 🌍✨

Ever wanted to learn Arabic from scratch? Now's your chance!

Join our Immersive Arabic I this Fall and embark on a journey to unlock the beauty of the Arabic language, starting from the basics!

🔹 No prior knowledge required
🔹 Interactive learning sessions
🔹 Engaging activities and exercises

Whether you're curious about Arabic culture, planning a trip to an Arabic-speaking country, or simply eager to expand your language skills, this course is tailored just for you!

Don't miss out on this opportunity! Register now and let's begin this exciting journey together! 🚀💫

Our Hummus Cookoff was an absolute blast! 🤩

Huge thanks to all the amazing participants who brought their A-game and whipped up some seriously delicious hummus creations👩‍🍳🧑‍🍳

Congratulations to our winners for their outstanding recipes and creativity! 🏆🎉You all made it a memorable event! 👏🥰

🎁 Exciting News 🎁

The prizes for our Hummus Cookoff have arrived and are ready for the winners! 🥳

Don't miss out on the chance to showcase your culinary skills. Share your ultimate hummus recipe for a shot at winning fabulous prizes.

If you're not competing, bring a friend along to join our taste test and cast your vote! 🍽️✨

Our calligraphy workshop was a hit! 🖋️🎉

Big thanks to everyone who joined in and made it awesome!

Stay tuned for more fun events 🙌

📚✨ Exciting Publication Alert! ✨🎉

We are thrilled to announce the publication of Dr. Rania Mahmoud's latest book, "Female Voices and Egyptian Independence: Marginalized Women in Egyptian and British Fiction (2024)"! 📙

📖 Dr. Mahmoud's book offers a nuanced analysis of the ways in which Egyptian and British novels represent the Egyptian nationalist project in its struggle against British hegemony in the aftermath of two revolutions: the 1881-82 Urabi Revolution, known for inaugurating the British occupation of Egypt, and the 1919 Revolution celebrated in Egyptian national memory as the classic Egyptian revolution par excellence.

Reading the novels against the grain, the study recovers female voices that are multiply marginalized, due to their gender and/or ethnicity, whether by colonial imperial powers, the nation, their immediate regional community or, finally, by the works under discussion themselves.

Using a comparative lens, the study foregrounds the ways in which the authors confirm, critique, rewrite/revise, or reject developmental narratives. Female Voices and Egyptian Independence pays particular attention to women that range from the uneducated black slave, to the uneducated rural Siwan woman with artistic talent, to the wealthy cultured Coptic housewife, to the rising late nineteenth-century British female professional, and finally to the eclipsed twentieth-century Egyptian female national intellectual, all of whom play crucial roles in the journeys of the respective male protagonists, and by extension, the Egyptian national project.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Mahmoud on this remarkable achievement! 👏🌟

🌟 Calling all hummus aficionados! 🌟

Have a hummus recipe that's unbeatable? Share it with us to enter our contest and win fantastic prizes! 🏆

Not in the mood to compete? Bring a friend along to taste-test and vote! 🍽️✨

Scan the QR code and click the link for more info and to sign up.

First prize: Arabic coffee pot and cup set ☕🌿
Runner-Up Prize: Middle Eastern Cookbook 📚🥄

Let the hummus extravaganza begin! 🎉

Did you catch a glimpse of yesterday's breathtaking eclipse? 🌘✨ Share your eclipse-viewing experiences with us in the comments below.

هل شاهدتم ظاهرة كسوف الشمس الرائعة أمس؟ شاركوا تجاربكم معنا بالتعليقات 🌌

Photo Credits: 📷

Join The King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies and the Multicultural Center for their Eid Al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) celebration tonight at the Arkansas Union Ballroom and have the opportunity to have your name written in Arabic! 🤩✍️

Don't miss it! Food and entertainment will be provided.

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate 🎉 🎈🎊🎁

Dive into the artistry of Arabic calligraphy this Wednesday, April 3! Join us for an immersive workshop where you'll learn the strokes and intricacies of this beautiful script 😃✍️

All are welcome! Materials provided and no previous experience necessary.

Location: JBHT (207)
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Wishing all our students who observe the Easter holiday a joyful Easter filled with love, peace, and countless blessings! 🌷 🐰🐣

نتمنى لكم عيد قيامة مجيد 💕

الربيع على الأبواب 🌷🌸🌺

Wishing all our students a safe and restful Spring break! 😎 Take this time to recharge, relax, and rejuvenate. We look forward to seeing you back refreshed and ready to dive back into your studies.

استمتعوا بعطلتكم! 🌞

"Global Futures with World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures" was a wonderful exploration of different languages and cultures! 🌍 🌟 Our students passionately shared their experiences and insights into the transformative power of learning Arabic, from opening doors to new cultures to unlocking exciting career prospects.

The event featured information tables for each language section, an undergraduate roundtable discussion, a fun passport game, and an exciting raffle with free t-shirts and a chance to win Air Pod Pro.

Special thanks to for making it all possible! 👏🏻🎉🙌

يلّا نتعلّم العربية!

#العربية

Happening Today:

Repost from

On Tuesday, March 12 from 12:00-1:30 pm, the WLLC Student Success Committee is hosting “Global Futures with World Languages, Literatures & Cultures” at the Multicultural Center in the Union (ARKU 403). This event will feature games, a roundtable with undergraduates about Global Student Success, and lunch will be provided. There will also be a raffle and prizes available!!

WLLC faculty, TAs, and undergraduate students will be stationed at a table representing each language offered in WLLC to speak with visitors about WLLC cultural offerings, curriculum, career opportunities, and more about what WLLC has to offer.

This event is free and open to all UARK undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and the broader UARK community. Join us next Tuesday and bring a friend!

🌙 Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim friends and followers! 🌟 As the blessed month of Ramadan begins, we extend our warmest wishes for a month filled with peace, blessings, and spiritual growth. May this sacred time bring you closer to your faith and uplift your hearts with joy and tranquility.

Join us this Wednesday for a special session of Salaam wa Kalaam dedicated to Ramadan! 🕌 It's an incredible opportunity to learn more about this holy month, its significance, traditions, and practices. Mark your calendars and don't miss it! 🌟📖

On the occasion of International Women's Day, we celebrate the strength and achievements of women around the world. They play a vital role in building communities and driving progress. Let's continue to support women all around the globe and work together towards a future of equality and empowerment 🌟💪

بمناسبة اليوم العالمي للمرأة، نحتفل بقوة وإنجازات النساء في جميع أنحاء العالم. إنهن يلعبن دورًا حيويًا في بناء المجتمعات وتحقيق التقدم. دعونا نواصل دعمهن والعمل معًا من أجل مستقبل أكثر عدالة وتساوٍ 🌹

#هنّ #أنتنّ

Happening Today:

"Sustaining Territories: Pacha Grabbing Tactics and the Everyday Acts of Care of/in La Pacha"

When: 6 March, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Arkansas Union, 426.

Check the flyer for more details on the lecture. Food will be provided.

Join us tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Salaam wa Kalaam, "in the market" edition! 🛍️🛒✨

Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as we delve into the art of haggling and shopping in Arabic 💬 Learn essential phrases, sharpen your bargaining skills, and experience the vibrant culture firsthand.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity! 😉

✨Student Spotlight✨

Repost from

Our junior undergraduate student Jayakumari Nair (Arabic and Middle East Studies Major, Chinese and Asian Studies Minor) was accepted to present at the Middle East Studies Association Annual Conference as part of the Undergraduate Research Workshop.The conference took place November 2-5, 2023 in Montreal Canada!

🏆 Jaya was one of 19 undergraduate students to present at the conference. She also received a travel grant from the conference and the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies. Jaya presented her paper as part of the undergraduate panel "Peripheralized National Identities" as well as in three poster presentation sessions. I presented my paper titled "The Mudawana through Zanka Contact: The Real-Life Implications of the Exclusion of Unmarried Women and the Criminalization of Extramarital Affairs". This presentation was developed from an essay written in Dr. Rania Mahmoud's course "Arab Film".

Join us in congratulating Jaya in all her brilliance! Way to go! We are so proud of WLLC students' accomplishments!

ألف مبروك يا Jaya .. نتمنى لكِ المزيد من النجاح والتفوق 👏🥳

Happening Tomorrow:

Please join us for a lecture, "The Ideational Origins of Palestinian Dispossession: Settler Colonialism, Jewish Restoration, and U.S. Foreign Policy," about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Arkansas Union 426.

Michael Samuel is a legal scholar and comparativist focusing on the laws, discourses and institutions that shape the normative relationships between Indigenous communities and the states in which they reside in the Middle East and the Anglosphere. Before his academic career, Samuel worked as a human rights attorney in Israel-Palestine. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and will earn his Ph.D. from Emory University in May 2024.

For questions about the event, please email [email protected].

Shukran to everyone who showed up to our first session of سلام وكلام! Your presence, enthusiasm, and positive energy made the event truly special! 🤩

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and more exciting Arabic language adventures ✨

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

Join us for the first session of Salaam wa Kalaam tomorrow (Wednesday) the 7th, from 2:00-3:00 PM at JBHT 207 Conference Room (our usual spot).

This meet-and-greet event will be accompanied by delicious food from Petra Café! 🥙 😋 Come mingle, learn some Arabic food vocabulary, and maybe even play some fun games 🎉

Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect and enjoy some great food! We hope to see you there! 🤩

Join the Arab Student Association for their first event of the semester! ✨

Get ready to make new friends, connect with ASA's amazing team members, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Arab community! Whether you're passionate about Arab culture or just curious to learn more, everyone is welcome! 🙌 🌟 This is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, foster friendships, and build meaningful connections.

📍 Where: Multicultural Center
🗓 When: Tonight, Tuesday, January 30th
🕰 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

A big shout-out to our graduate this Fall, Alsein! 🎓🎉🎈Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and as you step into this new chapter of your life, may the skills and knowledge you have acquired open doors to exciting opportunities and experiences.

ألف مبروك على تحقيق هذا الإنجاز الهام يا كاريمان! نحن واثقون بأنكِ ستحققين المزيد من الإنجازات في المستقبل ونتمنى لكِ كل التوفيق والنجاح 🙌✨