Talk:Arab League

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[edit] Templates

Selected on Template:March 22 selected anniversaries (may be in HTML comment)

[edit] Order of Members

Is there any kind of order to the list of members, 0.2? It's not chronological or alphabetical, whatever it is. If no one objects soon, and I don't find a rationale in the history, I'll probably do it chronologically. Or maybe alphabetically. But somehow. ;-) -- JohnOwens 00:50 Mar 27, 2003 (UTC)

Obviously, this was fixed long ago... Just placing this note here so no one wastes any time double checking. --(Mingus ah um 01:19, 26 April 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Official Language

Could anyone tell me what the official language or languages of the Arab League are? Obviously, one must be Arabic (a specific dialect?), but given the range of mutually unintelligible dialects, I thought English or some other language might also conceivably be used. I didn't get a response from the official website in answer to this question. - Brettz9 00:53 Mar 27, 2003 (UTC)

Arabic is the official language. Every Arab nation has its own slang and accent, but formal arabic is the language used in the meetings. Even if slang arabic is spoken, other arabs will comprehend it easily. -- Mostafa Hussein

Excellent. Thank you. A few things further, however, if you don't mind...Would you know if there is a webpage source I could cite which says that Arabic is the official language (preferably an official website)? Is formal Arabic quite a bit different I assume than classical Arabic? Also, I could swear reading in a linguistics course that although some dialects can be mutually understood (especially by speakers in nearby countries), that the "dialects" (at least when spoken) are so different at the extremes (like maybe between Iraq and Morocco), that they could not be mutually understood. If the latter is the case, I am curious whether the differences are mostly just pronunciation, or whether the grammar, vocabulary, etc. is varied to the degree that the speakers couldn't understand the written language of each other as well. Thanks! - Brettz9 15:39 Mar 27, 2003 (UTC)
OK, ... formal/proper arabic is tied with lots and lots of grammar.Its also very rich in vocabulary. Its used in written documents. It is funny to speak in formal/proper arabic with my friends, but if I am giving a speech, it is the other way round. Well, in algeria and morroco they speak very fast, but if they speak a bit slowly, all arabs can understand them. Almost all dialects are derived from formal arabic. The differences are mostly the accent and a little vocubulary that deals with very intellectualy low stuff, like food, dress and household objects. Casual arabic is just an easy way to speak with others, to avoid lots of grammatical stuff. Illiterates might have a problem comprehending formal/proper arabic.--Mostafa Hussein

Thanks very much for your help...But do you know an official source I could cite which stated that Arabic was, as you say, the only official language? I would like to include this information on a webpage, and it would help to have an official source. Thanks!

Nope, sorry :( --Mostafa Hussein
One website you could use would be the official site of the Arab League, www.arableagueonline.org. Though it doesn't say anywhere that the official language is Arabic, the entire site is in Arabic and there is no other language available for it to be translated into, so that should give you some clue as to the languages used. Audancer1993 18:55, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Re: the Iraq-Iran War

Since members are forbidden to attack each other, should we mention the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war? Seems to me that Iraq's attack on Iran would be a violation of the Arab League charter. Did any Arab country take note of this? --Uncle Ed

Iran was never in the Arab League; among other things, they are of the hated despicable Persian race and speak Farsi even (OK, I'm exaggerating a little :-) ), so they're not in any sense Arab. Indeed, note in the article a mention of support for Iraq against Iran in 1987. Muslim brotherhood only goes so far I guess. Stan 23:54 Apr 3, 2003 (UTC)
Well, not precisely 100% "they're not in any sense Arab". There is an Arab minority in Iran, concentrated along the Iranian shore of the Persian Gulf - an area at least informally called "Arabistan". PML.
Most interesting! I love Wikipedia... BTW, Iran mentions an Arab minority, but I don't see a ref to the geographic concentration... Stan 01:55 Apr 4, 2003 (UTC)

Whether Iran is or isnt Arabic is a very contentious issue, but they aren't part of the Arab League. Dietary Fiber

No, it's not a contentious issue at all lol. Iran is as Arab as Ireland is Slavic. The Arab pop in Iran is probably smaller than in France, a country about the same size. Note that Arabs often refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arab Gulf. It's also got the highest percentage of Shia Muslims in the world which further sets it apart. Marskell 16:33, 14 August 2005 (UTC)
Oh, so it's all right then: they're only Muslims and therefore not brothers. --Uncle Ed
Are you implying something? --Dejitarob 23:10, 8 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Voting Confusion

Does anyone know how it is that, if there are 22 countries that have ever been members, and Libya withdrew in October 2002, there was a 21-1 vote in March 2003? Did Libya not withdraw immediately but after a period of time (at least 6 months) from the announcement, or did they rejoin, or what? -- John Owens 00:34 Apr 4, 2003 (UTC)

Yes, it seems like this could use some updating. Does anyone knwo the actual status of Libya as it stands? If they rejoined, why? And shouldn't that be added to the timeline? —thames 18:32, 15 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Amr Moussa is working hard to change the voting system from unanimous to majority. I will keep my eye on that and tell you(or edit the article). Eventually, this might improve the current role of the league.-- Mostafa Hussein

[edit] Re: the Political Nature of the Arab League

Is the following a Wikipedian opinion, or an advocate's opinion, or what?

It is similar to the Organization of American States, the Council of Europe or the former Organization for African Unity, in that its aims are primarily political; all of these organizations can be considered to be regional versions of the United Nations [emphasis added by Ed Poor]

What is a "regional version of the United Nations" supposed to mean? Is it intended to suggest (a) that the UN is neutral and objective; and thus (b) that the Arab League is neutral and objective?

My assumption is that the League of Arab Nations exists SOLELY to advance Arab interests, and probably at the expense of other countries like Israel. --Uncle Ed 14:30, 26 Aug 2003 (UTC)

And why would the Arab states form an organization to advance the cause of someone else? Did any organization ever? Was the OAS formed to benefit the bushmen in Africa, or the EU to help Zimbabwi? Even the UN was formed to further the interests of the 5 permanent Security Council members. As for Israel, it is not the Arabs fault that Zionists choose, freely, to colonize an Arab land and turn the area into hell for its natives.A.Khalil 03:10, Mar 8, 2005 (UTC)
And by the way, it is "The League of Arab States" and not the "League of Arab Nations."A.Khalil 19:40, Mar 13, 2005 (UTC)

Maybe a mention should be made of the rather 'tumulteous' atmosphere of some Arab League meetings? For instance, the one before the second Gulf war [1]

For your information A.Khalil, you are just thinking like most mainstream Arabs, brainwashed by the media. The Jews (Zionist is a derogatory term) did not colonise any Arab land. The British Mandate of Palestine was divided into two by the British, not colonised. Many other previous colonies were also divided in various ways. As the current rulers of the land after the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the British have the right to give the land to whoever they want. Get that right please, and don't be racist towards Jews. "Giving them hell" is your opinion and is not a fact. For your information, it was members Arab League who incited the war (and therefore, the tension) immediately after the creation of Israel, and not the other way round. Arab leaders at that time were racist and didn't want a new race of people in the area. Please get your facts right and do not be so obviously racist, A.Khalil. --Terrancommander 12:58, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

[offtopic] So it's Ok for a colonial power to do with the captured land what they want? When the Otteman Empire collapsed more than 90% of the population was Palestinian. --Ramy "Giving them hell" is a fact and you can go to Gaza or west Bank and test it yourself...

[edit] Libya

I don't understand why on the map, Lybia is not considered as an arab country? 500LL 22:05, 7 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I think the issue is if Libya, as a state, is a current member of the Arab League of not. As a nation they are Arabs.

For the last time people. Libya is an arab nation. Twice it has threatened to leave the Arab League in protest. The first time it made the announcement on the 24th of October 2002 and it would have been effective one year later (i.e. the 24th of October 2003) but this decision was cancelled on the 16th of January 2003. The second time Libya threatened with withdrawl was on the 3rd of April 2003, but again was cancelled. This time it was cancelled on the 25th of May again before the one year deadline. Got that good.

[edit] Current Member States

According to the official web site [2] these are the current members: About the Arab League >> Member States • The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan • United Arab Emirates • Kingdom Of Bahrain • Republic Of Tunisia • Democratic And Popular Republic Of Algeria • Republic Of Djibouti • Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia • Rebuplic Of Sudan • Arab Rebuplic Of Syria • Republic Of Somalia We currently include (I've asterisked the countries that match):

  • Algeria | *Bahrain | Comoros | *Djibouti | Egypt | Iraq | *Jordan | Kuwait | Lebanon | Libya | Mauritania | Morocco | Oman | State of Palestine | Qatar | *Saudi Arabia | *Somalia | *Sudan | *Syria | *Tunisia | *United Arab Emirates | Yemen

Thoughts? May 5, 2005

Take a look again and notice the "Next" button in the lower-right corner. The countries all match. --rob 20:09, 30 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Timeline

I think the timeline should be improved, to drop some lessor points, and add bigger ones. For instance, in 1967 it mentions South Yemen joining (already stated in article), but says nothing of what the League did regarding the war. Without turning this into a "conflict timeline", I think some improvements could be made, by those familiar with the role of the League in the different wars. --rob 20:05, 30 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Re: Uncle "Kraker" Ed

To the lazy editors of this Page.

WHY IS THIS RACIST BEING ALLOWED TO SPEW HIS HATRED ON THIS WEBSIT. IS THIS AN OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR ARAB BASHING AND MUSLIM HATERS IF SO THEN RENAME IT ACCORDINGLY. IF NOT THEN THIS IDIOT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FURTHER HIS DISGUSTING POLITICAL AGENDA HERE. THIS WEBSITE IS MENT FOR LEARNING, UNBIASED AND FREE OF PERSONAL HATREDS.

You have broken Wikipedia's no personal attack policy here. Please sign your comments too, or no one will take note of them. --Terrancommander 14:45, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Question

will arabs and persians never become friends ? (officially, no taazi and ajami shit)

I highly dout it.Cameron Nedland 04:30, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Western Sahara

I removed the recently added mention of Western Sahara state as it is very NPOV at best. 1) The issue is very disputed, and 2) this AL's page definitely isn't the place to talk about this dispute anyway.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 206.55.91.188 (talk • contribs) 14:19, 1 January 2006 (UTC)

Western Sahara has been added to the map as a blue "disputed area." --Kralizec! (talk) 04:08, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Somalia

Can anybody explain why and how Somalia is a member of the Arab League? I can away from the article sadly unelightened. --Quintucket 23:33, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

From Somalia Demographics and languages: "As early as the seventh century, indigenous Cushitic peoples began to mingle with Arab and Persian traders who had settled along the coast. Interaction over the centuries led to the emergence of a Somali culture bound by common traditions, a single language, and the Islamic faith." In other words, Quintucket, Somalians are viewed in much the same way as North Africans; they may not be entirely Arab, but they have been assimilated into the greater Arab nation. --(Mingus ah um 20:15, 28 April 2006 (UTC))

The question is a good one, since the Somali people are not predominantly Arab in ancestry and still speak non-Semitic languages, and is one best posed to the Somalis themselves. I've wondered this myself. This may be a matter of cultural identification, because Somalia's African neighbors are not as heavily Muslim.---Heff01 04:59, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

The main reason Somalia is part of the Arab League is because during the Barre regime, he had close allies to Arabia and the rest of the Arab World. To build on that, he applied to join as Somalis share the same religion as the Arabs, some culture similarities, Arabic as a second language of Somalia and a script for the Somali language, and Somalia's strategic location. FAH1223 02:30, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

To add to that, East Africans on a whole are from Arabia and are MORE Arabia thant those peopleS called arabs in North Africa r even SW Asia. Just look at Haile Salasee.

[edit] Court?

In reviewing (briefly) various Islamic and Arab intergovernmental organizations, I've noticed an absence of judicial organs. Neither the OIC, the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council seem to possess a sitting body to mediate or adjudicate disputes among member governments. Is this reflective of some aspect of Arab or Islamic culture? Tfleming 18:55, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Eritrea

Is Eritrea still part of the Arab league?

It was never a part of the Arab league, but it has been an observer since 2003, I believe. — ዮም (Yom) | contribs • Talk 22:00, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Facts

I dont think the per Capita GDP of the Arab League is 28,100 dollars. This is simply not possible. Germany's GDP for example is 2.504 trillion dollars and its population only 82 million and its per capita is 30 thousand dollars. So how an area with a LOWER GDP and 300 million people have roughly the same per capita? This would put the League on par with the EU which is illogical as the Arab League is dominated by developing and lower-income states. Simply Divide the total GDP by the population anf you get 4 thousand dollars which sounds more reasonable, so Im changing it, it must have been a typo or something. --Doge120 15:31, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Map of the Arab League

I recently noticed that Israel is included as part of the Arab League. I can understand it being included as the Arab League likely considers it part of Palestine, but i'd imagine that Israelis would not consider themselves a part of it for obvious reasons. I dont have any sort of axe to grind, but i think that the map should either be changed to reflect Israel not being a part of the Arab League, or Israel highlighted in a different colour to denote it as disputed.

Xeolyte 22:17, 24 August 2006 (UTC)

Actually, Israel was likely not intended to be depicted as an Arab League Member, but it is small enough to begin with and very narrow to boot that it blends in imperceptibly into the included map, which is a small map of a quite extensive area. The best solution would be to use a map large enough to distinctly show Israel as present and a non-member.---Heff01 04:59, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

Along with Western Sahara, Israel has been added to the map as a blue "disputed area." --Kralizec! (talk) 04:08, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Eritrea on Map

As Eritrea is an observer shouldnt it be included on the Maps ? Not in solid green of course but maybe striped/hatched ?Xerex 13:40, 26 December 2006 (UTC)

In the new map, I noted member nations as green, and observer nations are light green. --Kralizec! (talk) 04:08, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Arab League Flag

Does anyone knows whats its written on the flag?--201.52.207.180 02:00, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

Yup, it says league of Arab states (جامعة الدول العربية‎ - Jama`at-u-d-Dawlaat-i-l-`Arabiyyah).[3] — ዮም | (Yom) | Talk • contribs • Ethiopia 03:54, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Somalia, once again

Somalia is still part of the Arab League. When did it go into observer status?

The people aren't Arab, but the membership has been there since 1974 and that membership still stands with the Transitional Government still representing it to this day. The new map needs to be changed, until then, this one stands. FAH1223 01:53, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

The map has been updated and zoomed in on the region to better show the individual countries. Thank you to you and 66.250.190.114 (talk · contribs) for catching and correcting the fact that Somalia is a full member and no longer and observer state. --Kralizec! (talk) 13:55, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] India

When did India become an Arab state? I find this very strange especially that there is no mention of this in the official website of the Arab League. --Maha Odeh 07:10, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

The article does not say that India is a member of the Arab League. --Kralizec! (talk) 11:15, 12 June 2007 (UTC)
Neighter an observer !! , i'll post the {{Fact}} template. Ammar (Talk - Don't Talk) 16:01, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

India is not arab country —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.138.159.136 (talk • contribs) 11:46, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

Who said it is? --Kralizec! (talk) 18:15, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

India is not Member of Arab League —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.138.224.79 (talk • contribs) 15:44, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

Who said it is a member? I believe the article states that India has been an "observer since 2007." --Kralizec! (talk) 22:42, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cleanup of History section

I cleaned up the History section to remove errors in punctuation, capitalisation, spelling, etc. I think I succeeded in doing this without changing the meaning, but somebody should read it to make certain. EmmetCaulfield 15:35, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

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