Journal of Christian Religious Studies

This study examines Arabic as a medium of intercultural religious dialogue and its significance in fostering mutual understanding among people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. The objectives of the study are to investigate the historical role of Arabic in facilitating interreligious communication, examine its contribution to sociocultural transformation across different societies, and assess its relevance in contemporary global religious discourse. The study is anchored on the Intercultural Communication Theory propounded by Edward T. Hall (1959), which emphasizes the role of language and culture in promoting understanding, cooperation, and interaction among people from different cultural and religious settings. The theory provides a framework for understanding how Arabic functions as a communicative bridge across diverse communities. The study adopts the Historical-Analytical Method and relies on qualitative data obtained from secondary sources, including books, scholarly journal articles, conference proceedings, and historical documents. Data were analyzed through content analysis and comparative evaluation of relevant literature. The findings reveal that Arabic has historically served as a shared medium of communication among Muslims, Christians, and Jews, particularly during the medieval period when intellectual, scientific, and theological exchanges flourished. The study further discovers that Arabic contributed significantly to educational development, literacy, and intercultural engagement in regions such as West Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In addition, the Qur'anic principle of Taʿāruf (mutual acquaintance) provides a practical framework for peaceful coexistence and constructive interfaith relations. The study concludes that Arabic transcends its religious function and remains a vital instrument for intercultural and interreligious dialogue. It recommends strengthening Arabic language education, promoting interfaith initiatives through Arabic, and encouraging further scholarly research on its role in peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy and global cooperation.

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