Secularization of Arabic and Nation Building: The Language Policies of Sati al-Husri, Luvis Shaykho, Arsuzi, and Zurayk

Ramazan Önal; Ahmet Şen; Mehmet Davut Çoştu; Erdoğan Demir

Article Details

Secularization of Arabic and Nation Building: The Language Policies of Sati al-Husri, Luvis Shaykho, Arsuzi, and Zurayk

Authors:

Ramazan Önal | Ahmet Şen | Mehmet Davut Çoştu | Erdoğan Demir

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer) | Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.63-84

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358775

pISSN:

2687-2692

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This article examines the ideological function of language in the construction of a secular identity in the modern Arab world, focusing particularly on how Arabic was instrumentalized in the processes of nation-state formation by being stripped of its Islamic references. Within this framework, the language policies and ideas of four prominent thinkersLouis Cheikho, Zaki al-Arsuzi, Constantin Zurayk, and Satı el-Husriare analyzed. Since the 19th century, Christian Arab intellectuals, in particular, have sought to redefine Arabic as a historical and cultural heritage independent of Islamic foundations. This approach highlights how language became positioned not merely as a medium of communication but also as a means of fostering social cohesion, constructing national belonging, and legitimizing political authority. In the Arab world, language emerged as a key component in the formation of a secular national identity. Satı el-Husris language-centered nationalism, Cheikhos efforts to root Arab civilization in a pre-Islamic Christian past, and al-Arsuzis view of language as an ontological essence form the intellectual basis of this process. The article aims to reveal how Arabic has been transformed across cultural, political, and philosophical dimensions and how this transformation has contributed to the reconstruction of modern Arab identity. Using the method of document analysis, the study systematically examines the major works and discourses of these thinkers.

 This article examines the ideological function of language in the construction of a secular identity in the modern Arab world, focusing particularly on how Arabic was instrumentalized in the processes of nation-state formation by being stripped of its Islamic references. Within this framework, the language policies and ideas of four prominent thinkersLouis Cheikho, Zaki al-Arsuzi, Constantin Zurayk, and Satı el-Husriare analyzed. Since the 19th century, Christian Arab intellectuals, in particular, have sought to redefine Arabic as a historical and cultural heritage independent of Islamic foundations. This approach highlights how language became positioned not merely as a medium of communication but also as a means of fostering social cohesion, constructing national belonging, and legitimizing political authority. In the Arab world, language emerged as a key component in the formation of a secular national identity. Satı el-Husris language-centered nationalism, Cheikhos efforts to root Arab civilization in a pre-Islamic Christian past, and al-Arsuzis view of language as an ontological essence form the intellectual basis of this process. The article aims to reveal how Arabic has been transformed across cultural, political, and philosophical dimensions and how this transformation has contributed to the reconstruction of modern Arab identity. Using the method of document analysis, the study systematically examines the major works and discourses of these thinkers.

 This article examines the ideological function of language in the construction of a secular identity in the modern Arab world, focusing particularly on how Arabic was instrumentalized in the processes of nation-state formation by being stripped of its Islamic references. Within this framework, the language policies and ideas of four prominent thinkersLouis Cheikho, Zaki al-Arsuzi, Constantin Zurayk, and Satı el-Husriare analyzed. Since the 19th century, Christian Arab intellectuals, in particular, have sought to redefine Arabic as a historical and cultural heritage independent of Islamic foundations. This approach highlights how language became positioned not merely as a medium of communication but also as a means of fostering social cohesion, constructing national belonging, and legitimizing political authority. In the Arab world, language emerged as a key component in the formation of a secular national identity. Satı el-Husris language-centered nationalism, Cheikhos efforts to root Arab civilization in a pre-Islamic Christian past, and al-Arsuzis view of language as an ontological essence form the intellectual basis of this process. The article aims to reveal how Arabic has been transformed across cultural, political, and philosophical dimensions and how this transformation has contributed to the reconstruction of modern Arab identity. Using the method of document analysis, the study systematically examines the major works and discourses of these thinkers.

 Bu makale, modern Arap dünyasında dilin seküler bir kimlik inşa sürecindeki ideolojik işlevini, özellikle Arapçanın İslamî referanslardan arındırılarak ulus-devlet kurma süreçlerinde nasıl araçsallaştırıldığını incelemektedir. Louis Şeyho, Zeki el-Arsûzî, Constantin Züreyk ve Satı el-Husri gibi dört önemli düşünürün dil politikaları ve fikirleri bu bağlamda analiz edilmiştir. 19. yüzyıldan itibaren özellikle Hristiyan Arap entelektüeller, Arapçayı İslamî referanslardan bağımsız, tarihsel ve kültürel bir miras olarak yeniden tanımlamaya yönelmiştir. Bu yaklaşım, dilin toplumsal bütünleşmeyi sağlayan, ulusal aidiyet inşa eden ve siyasi meşruiyeti besleyen bir araç olarak konumlandığını ortaya koymaktadır. Arap dünyasında da dil, seküler ulusal kimliğin kurulmasında belirleyici bir unsur hâline gelmiştir. Satı el-Husrinin dil merkezli milliyetçilik anlayışı, Şeyhonun Arap medeniyetini İslam öncesine dayandırma çabası ve el-Arsûzînin dili ontolojik bir öz olarak görmesi, bu sürecin düşünsel temellerini oluşturmaktadır. Makale, Arapçanın kültürel, siyasi ve felsefi düzlemlerde nasıl dönüştürüldüğünü ve bu dönüşümün modern Arap kimliğinin yeniden inşasına nasıl hizmet ettiğini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada doküman analizi yöntemi kullanılarak, söz konusu düşünürlerin öne çıkan eserleri ve söylemleri sistematik olarak incelenmiştir.

Article Details

Secularization of Arabic and Nation Building: The Language Policies of Sati al-Husri, Luvis Shaykho, Arsuzi, and Zurayk

Authors:

Ramazan Önal | Ahmet Şen | Mehmet Davut Çoştu | Erdoğan Demir

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer) | Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.63-84

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358775

pISSN:

2687-2692

Arabic Language

Nation State Building

Nationalism

Secularism

IndentityArap Dili

Ulus Devlet İnşası

Milliyetçilik

Sekülerizm

Kimlik

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ramazan Önal | Ahmet Şen | Mehmet Davut Çoştu | Erdoğan Demir

Publisher: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics: Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer) | Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal: Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.63-84

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001358775

pISSN: 2687-2692

Issues

Authors:

Ramazan Önal | Ahmet Şen | Mehmet Davut Çoştu | Erdoğan Demir

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer) | Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.63-84

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358775

pISSN:

2687-2692