The Arabic Language Club was established in 1975 to provide a forum where the past and present students of the other Club Member would get together to acquire greater fluency in speaking Arabic. These members converse only in Arabic during Club Meetings. The Club also projects Arabic Culture by holding lectures, film shows, exhibitions etc. The Club is equipped with a large TV set, a VCR and cassettes of Arabic Films. The physical facilities provided for the Club at the Society's campus comprise an office, a spacious modern auditorium, a well stocked library, a Cafeteria Lounge and a roof-top terrace for open-air evening meetings and film shows. Some indoor games are also provided. The Club Premises are open to members in the afternoon of every Saturday. The Club Cafeteria provides tea and refreshments at no-profit basis to members and theri guests at the meetings.

INTRODUCTION
The Arabic language is fast regaining its age-old importance in world affairs. A few centuries back, this language of the Holy Qur'an was the foremost language of the civilized world. On the strength of its rich vocabulary, it was the most important vehicle of expression for scientific and philosohic thought; and it gave great impetus to the development of art and culture in the world.

To-day, the non-Arab Muslim world is re-awakening to not only the realisation of its sacred place in their religious existence but also to its significance as a strong link with their Arab brethren. Non-Muslim advanced countries are also eagerly learning it for political and economic reasons.

Arabic is no also one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

In keeping with this general realisation of the role of Arabic, the Society for the Promotion of Arabic is committed to promote Arabic in Pakistan through various means which include academic instruction by arranging basic and advanced Arabic courses. The Society has upto now held over 110 such short and long term courses to benefit over 3500 promising men and women in Karachi.

The Arabic Language Club Project is yet another effort on the part of the Society as an activity designed to supplement its teaching programme.

With ever growing number of its students who complete theri Basic and Advanced Arabic courses, a forum was needed where they could meet to enjoy Arabic conversation in an informal atmosphere.

The physical facilities available at the premesis of the Society, although very limited, are considered adequate at least during the initial phase of this important project. The Club therefore is only a natural development to promote Arabic on an informal plane among its past and present students.
Aims and Objectives
Specifically, the aims and objects of the Club are as under:

1
 To encourage and pormote Arabic conversation as a living medium of communication among Pakistanis.
2
 To serve as a forum where past and present students of the Society and others can meet and engage in Arabic sppech among fellow students, teachers and Arab brethren.
3
 To highlight Muslim understanding by projecting Arabic culture by all means available including exhibitions, films and lectures.
4
 To promote and develop acquaintance with arabic knowing students and other as an opportunity to learn Arbic in a friendly atmosphere.
5
 To take such other steps as necessary to foster the promotion of Arabic language and cement solidarity with the Arab world.
Major Activities
The Club has developed interesting programmes to achieve the above aims and objects. Material has been collected and developed in the form of model Arabic conversations, taped Reading Exercises, script write-ups, one act plays, short stories and short speeches. Programmes are also under way to make available Arabic Newspapers and Journals, hold declamation contests, Qirat competitions, recitals, and Arab cultural film exhibitions at the premises of the Club.

All materials are in Arabic and available to members individually or through their recognized 'special interest circle' of the Club.

In-door games will also be provided and all expressions of scores, gains or losses conducted in Arabic.

A major ground rule of the Club is the requirement from all members to converse in Arabic only throughout their presence in the Club meetings,-whatever the shortcomings. However, the Club being a non-political forum, no politics can be discussed.

Members are welcome to invite guests in order to introduce them to the Arabic speaking circle. The idea behind this facility is to rovide opportunity to the friends and acquaintances of members to be inspired to learn Arabic.
Club Meetings
Presently the Club meetings are being held weekly on Saturday throughout the year excluding the Holy month of Ramadhan and public or religious holidays.

The Club timings are between 'Asr' and 'Isha' prayers but it has been observed that attendance improves substantially towards 'Maghreb' time.

Members are encouraged to form their own 'special interest' circles, for acuiring specialized skills in professional and communicational Arabic, and games etc.

As the Club activities expand and become more popular more days and time of the week may be added for Club meetings. Various services will also be expanded accordingly. The Society has plans to build an auditorium and a separate Club building also at the present location.
Membership
Membership of the Club is open all male and female persons of good reputation who have at any time been enrolled as students or have passed any of the Arabic insturctional programmes, offered by th eSociety for the Promotion of Arabic. Those who otherwise satisfy the Working Committee of the Club of sufficient level of knowledge and interest in Arabic are also eligible to apply for membership.

Eminent personalities, distinguished scholars and teacher well-versed in Arabic may also be invited to become Honorary Members of the Arabic Language Club.
Membership Dues
The Club fees have been fixed very low as under:

On being accepted as member the candidate pays a nominal annual subscription of Rs. 100/= only is payable.

However, emient personalities distinguished scholars adn teachers of Arabic whose names appear on the Register of 'Honorary Members' of the Club are exempt from membership dues.
Administration
Day to day administration of the Club is carried out by the Club Working Committee comprising of the representatives of the past and present students of the Society. Each current class group is also represented on the Working Committee through their elected representatives.

The Club project as a whole is being developed and supervised by the Arabic Language Club Committee of the Society for the Promotion of Arabic under its Chairman who is appointed by the Managing Committee.
The Expectation
It is hoped that the club will fulfill the need of all lovers of Arabic who want to keep their knowledge of the language fresh and operational. The Club will also bring the large number of its ex-students closer to Society, and thus provide a solid base to the Society's mission.

It may be expected that in due course of time the Club may grow to include a large body of enlightened and enterprising young man and women who are capable of communicating in Arabic as naturally as presently in English in our educated circles.

The Club Forum will thus play an important role to forge closer links of understanding, friendship and solidarity, at person to person level, with our Arab brethren in the Middle East.

Important: If you meet with any of the requirements of membership as mentioned in No.5 above -- you are welcome to fill the application form on the next page and bring or send the same to the Society at your earliest conveniece.