November 23, 2004: The survival of the Arabic language in the Anglo-Australian setting has faced numerous obstacles in the attempt to remain alive. Many socio-linguists predicted the sub-merging of the Arabic language in the Australian society within 2-3 generations. Amidst the migration waves to Australia in the 60’s and 70’s, the "White Australia Policy" emphasised the implementation of the assimilation principles. They aimed at stripping the newly arrived immigrants from their culture and language. Such a plan was also aimed at the Arabic language.

With the rise of the Whitlam Government in the early 70’s, Australia witnessed the introduction of "multiculturalism". It supported the teaching and the use of the community languages, including Arabic, in state schools, and in community schools throughout New South Wales. It has being almost three decades since this official recognition of the Arabic language in schools in particular, and in society in general. Yet, it is facing extinction within the community, as a result of not only a hidden agenda regarding university entrance requirements and other political motives, but also of the giving up of the Arabic language by our youth, in schools and elsewhere.

In the past four years, the number of students in high schools, who study Arabic, has dropped dramatically. Nevertheless, numerous social factors have contributed to this current crisis. One of the most important seems to be the surrender of youth to the English language. Moreover, learning Arabic is no longer a religious motive, for English and translated Islamic books are easily available. Furthermore, the youth are experiencing an identity crisis, and no longer wish to be identified as Arab Muslims, but rather Australian Muslims.

Knowing that, being a bilingual person does not question neither the national identity, nor the loyalty and affiliation to Australia as claimed by some youths. The responsibilities lie strongly on the individual, the family, and the community in supporting and maintaining the language in view of modern language teaching methods.

Let us show strong support to the use of Arabic, let us send our children to Arabic and Islamic schools, let us encourage such schools, let us monitor our children closely, and let us honour the language of our cultural and religious heritage.

Our families are loosing their morals and ethics, and consequently our Islamic affiliation and identities are threatened and in crisis. We are not a unique community that migrated to Australia. In fact, the Afghanis who migrated to Australia in the late 19^th to early 20^th century have totally assimilated into the Anglo-Australian way of life. Is this going to be our fate? What happened to the language of the Noble Quran, the language of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and the language of Paradise?

"Verily, in this is a message, for any that has a heart and understanding or who gives ear and is a witness" Surah Qaf Verse 37.