Dear Mr. Rami,

Ali Shariati - who could not be accused of being fanatic or biased (for simply he is a non Arab) had said abou the Arabic language:

"Arabic is the finest language accessible to man and it is superior to expository language which is lucid and straightforward. An expository language may be more suited and simpler to utilize in instruction, but it is not lasting. Why?

Abd-Alrahman Badawi, the contemporary Egyptian philosopher, states that A school or a religion which expresses all its facts and connotations in direct, clear-cut, and one-dimensional sentences will not last long, since it is addressing diverse individuals from all walks of life. Further, these people include various strata and classes who vary in thinking, viewpoint, and outlook.

And so, a language which is selected for a religion must be multi layered and multi-dimensional so that each generation can decipher one layer and each group can understand one dimension at a time."

Do not you think that Ali Shariati put it so simply yet so eloquently?

Let me know what you thought of what he said. I know from your own writings that you are not Arabic either, at least 'theoretically' speaking, or shall we say ethnically speaking, but in truth, I could not help but notice that your words and certainly your actions show a profound and sincere devotion and love to the Arabs and the Arabic (and ultimately Islamic) causes than a whole lot so called 'ethnic' Arabs.

As an Egyptian I might have some Arabic blood in me or some Egyptian, or all or none of either, but here and now, Arabic as far as I am concerned (no matter what blood I carry in my veins),is the language I cherish, love, comprehend, and enjoy the most.

Regards,

Bent Misr