Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and is written in an extended form of the Perso-Arabic script known as Nastaliq. It is mutually intelligible with Hindi, but they differ primarily in script and formal vocabulary.
352
Which one of these languages is NOT an official language of the United Nations?
The six official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Despite being a major world language, Portuguese is not officially recognized by the UN.
353
Which major language is a member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family?
Arabic, along with Hebrew and Amharic, belongs to the Semitic branch, which originated in the Middle East. Turkish is a Turkic language, Farsi is Indo-Iranian, and Swahili is a Bantu (Niger-Congo) language.
Baghdad is called the 'City of Peace,' from its Arabic name 'Madinat al-Salam,' reflecting its historical founding ideal. Unlike Geneva, Hague, or Oslo, which are associated with peace but lack this specific name, Baghdadâs historical context defines the nickname.
355
What is the current name of the city once known as Jabal-i-Tariq?
Jabal-i-Tariq, meaning 'Mountain of Tariq,' was renamed Gibraltar in 1408, derived from its Arabic name, reflecting its strategic Mediterranean location.
356
What is the current name of the city once known as Mecca in Saudi Arabia?
Mecca was renamed Makkah on February 3, 1983, to align with Arabic pronunciation and transliteration standards, maintaining its religious significance.
Somali and Arabic are the two official languages of Somalia, reflecting its location in the Horn of Africa and close cultural ties to the Arabian Peninsula.
360
What is the most spoken language in the Middle East?