People in Indiana have been speaking Arabic since the 1800s, when the first Arabic-speaking immigrants arrived in Indianapolis. But it was not until the 1990s that Arabic was first formally taught in IUPUI’s Department of Foreign Languages & Cultures, housed in the Department of French. Dr. Mohy El-Din Ahmed Saleh offered one course at the beginning level.
Dr Amira Mashhour
In the fall of 2002, spurred by increasing student demand and U.S. government imperatives, the Program in Arabic was reestablished in the Department of World Languages & Cultures. Its leader was Dr. Amira Mashhour. Starting with one three-credit section, she oversaw the program’s expansion to include both intermediate and advanced levels of Arabic language classes. In 2008, Dr. Mashhour worked with Dr. Edward Curtis, the current director of the program, to create the Minor in Arabic Language & Islamic Studies. In 2010, she began advising students who chose to participate in the Individualized Major Program, effectively creating an undergraduate major.
The program was also made possible through the hard work of many associate or adjunct faculty, including Dr. Mohy El-Din Ahmed Saleh (1991-1996); Dr. Mary Ann Fadae (1997-2000); Dr. Abdullah Ali (2004-2009); Fadia Antabli (2011-2014); Amal Cavender (2015-2018); Dr. AlHadi AlTower (Fall 2019; Ahmed Hassan (Fall 2022); and Ayman Elbarbary (Spring 2024-).
Today’s Arabic Studies Program focuses on local connections to Arab Hoosiers and the rich cultural contributions of global Arabic cultures. Its director (2024-) is Edward Curtis, a descendant of the first generation of Arabic-speaking people to settle in the Midwest.
Program director Edward Curtis, center, reveals historical marker at Indy’s first Arabic-speaking neighborhood. From l to r, Maria Nimri, St. George Church; Josh Chitwood, descendant of the quarter; Ron Ellis, descendant of the quarter; Sen. Fady Qaddoura; and Sen. Andrea Hunley.
