And how many of the people who memorize the Koran understand the classical Arabic in which it is written?
Here is an article on Answering Islam on the subject and
another from Islam Watch:
Many educated Muslims whose native tongue is not Arabic do learn it in order to read the Koran, but then again the vast majority do not understand Arabic, even though many do learn parts of the Koran by heart without understanding a word.
Nearly every non-Arab Muslim I know in the Middle East has memorized the Koran AND can speak Arabic. Sure, the Arabic the Koran is written in isn't "street" Arabic. Nevertheless, Koran quotes are ubiquitous here, and every practicing Muslim I've known knows what's being said -- even the many illiterate ones I've conversed with in English or through an interpreter.
Want to lose whatever illusions you might have concerning the Middle East, Arabs, Muslims and Islam? -- Come to the Middle East and spend 8-10 hours a day for at least a year, working and living with hundreds of Arab and non-Arab Muslims.