Fresh impetus to Arabic studies

THE DEPARTMENT of Modern Languages and Classical Languages recently hosted a visit by Arabic scholar Dr Gert Borg of the University of Nijmegen in Holland, partly to raise the profile of the subject at UCT.

According to Associate Professor David Wardle, the University has tried to some time to establish a programme in Arabic studies. Borg's visit, it was hoped, would give the project some fresh impetus.

During his weeklong stopover, Borg presented a number of lectures to students and faculty.

In his intriguing titled lectures, Is Arabic literature literature?; That young rascal of Qays: a pre-Islamic generation conflict; A career failure: how Umayya Ibn Ali al-Salt did not become a prophet and Love letters in the sand: love poetry by Arab women, Borg shared some of his expertise and passion for the subject.

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