MANILA: “Noli Me Tangere,” a novel by Philippine national hero and polymath Jose Rizal, has become the first Filipino literary work translated into Arabic and is scheduled for release in 2026.
Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, writer, and reformist whose activism inspired the movement for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule.
His book, originally written in Spanish and privately printed in Berlin in 1887, was first published in the Philippines only in 1899 — three years after the Spanish executed him for inciting revolution against their rule.
Considered one of the most important works in Philippine history and literature, “Noli Me Tangere,” explores abuse of power, colonial oppression, and social inequality through the story of a young, educated Filipino who returns from Europe hoping to bring reform.
It was translated into dozens of languages worldwide, and the Arabic version was commissioned by the Philippine Embassy in Iraq. Its completion was announced by the Philippine government at Christmas, and the translation is expected to be published by mid-2026.
