Most Muslims are taught how to read Arabic script, even if they can't understand or speak Arabic. That is because reading the Qur'an in its Arabic form, even wi

Most Muslims are taught how to read Arabic script, even if they can't understand or speak Arabic. That is because reading the Qur'an in its Arabic form, even without understanding, is a sacred act above reading the translation. Additionally, ritual prayers require reciting verses in Arabic, (again without necessarily understanding). Therefore it's not weird to assume the number of people familiar with Arabic script include the population of non-Arabic speaking Muslims.