CLASSICAL ARABIC AND ISLAMIC CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: REFLECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Abdur-Rahman Olalekan Olayiwola

Department of Political Science

Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

E-mail: nusramurana@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

The efficacious utility of Classical Arabic and Islamic Cultural Studies in the Social Sciences, is indubitable. It makes us to realize that society is an all-inclusive entity, a composite system whose component parts (or sub-systems) are closely related. The utilization of Classical Arabic Language in international relations, international politics, foreign policies and World Congresses of United Nations, Regional Organisations and Non-Governmental Agencies means that Classical Arabic is now equally an important Linguistic Communicative International Language like English and French. Also, intifada, an Arabic word meaning ‘a shaking off’ has entered international political debate in which many social scientists and Human Rights Lawyers have condemned Israel for using its heavy military equipment, tanks, helicopters, missiles  and aircrafts as well as snipers to destroy towns, houses, people and properties including lives of men, women and children in the Middle East. In the same vein, the mantra, there is no separation between religion and politics in Islam. Islam din wa dawla (Islam is religion and state) is not a recent vintage in the multidisciplinary analysis, data collection and comparative methodological approach in the study of man as a social being, as a member of society; the concern with moral ends of the state as well as the legal, economic, social, political and formal structures of government, the origins of the state, nationally and internationally; processes, institutions and groups, the relationships among them and the behavioural revolution.