Ella Linskens

There are as many reasons to study Arabic as there are students of the language. With their individual backstories and nuanced intentions, it is not surprising learners have more than one reason for setting out on this journey. A desire to understand the language of the Qur’an is often central when Muslims study this beautiful language. However, there are a range of other reasons that make learning Arabic highly attractive for many people.

"Arab American voters can be the margin of victory," says Maya Berry, the Executive Director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), on the phone from the United States - where in just one day a crucial election will determine the direction of the nation. Berry heads the Washington DC-based AAI, whose recent nationwide poll on the Arab American vote returned fascinating findings.

Berry heads the Washington DC-based AAI, whose recent nationwide poll on the Arab American vote returned fascinating findings. The poll found that while most Arab Americans eligible to vote in the elections favour Biden , 35 percent could be voting to re-elect President Trump. More than 80 percent of the Arab Americans polled say they are "very likely" to cast a ballot, and with many of them living in key swing states, the votes of this minority community could come to play a crucial role.