Abstract: | The Muslim community of South Africa constitutes only a small religious minority. Like many non-Arab Muslim communities, it has always given serious attention to Arabic, regarded as a religious language because the Koran was revealed in it. This article explores the historical development of Arabic as a religious language among the early Muslims at the Cape and the emergence of Arabic-Afrikaans. It then provides an analysis of the current status of Arabic in schools and universities as well as community programmes in South Africa. In conclusion, it examines the future prospects of Arabic amidst the changing conditions influencing the formulation of a viable South African language policy. Bibliogr., notes, ref. |