INDIANAPOLIS Terrorism and the war in Iraq are fueling demand for Arabic classes at Indiana colleges.
At Indiana University, the number of introductory Arabic classes has doubled since the September Eleventh terrorist attacks.
And Arabic is the fastest-growing language program at Purdue University.
Interest in the programs has risen steadily since the 2001 attacks as government agencies, including the F-B-I, have called for more Arabic speakers.
Nationwide, the number of college students taking Arabic in fall of 2002 was nearly twice what it was four years earlier. That's according to the Modern Language Association, a New York-based group that promotes the study of language and literature.
John Walbridge is the chairman of I-U's Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. He says students no longer ask him why they have to "know this stuff."
Interesting article Oorang, thanks for posting. Intro Arabic has 25 people this year at our school, that's up from the 16 last year (2 of us made it to the 3rd sem). :)