Arabic Noli Me Tangere launchedThe project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Iraq has launched a translation project for Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere from its original 19th century Spanish to Arabic, to commemorate 50 years of Philippine-Iraq bilateral relations. The project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. A manuscript of the translation was turned over to the Iraqi government, represented by Hisham Al-Alawi, the deputy foreign minister for political planning affairs. Copies of the translation are expected to be made available in 2026.

Source: Philippine Star December 28, 2025 16:14 UTC