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Urdu | Middle East/South Asia Studies
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It evolved during the Mughal Empire, blending Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and native Indian languages. The word "Urdu" means "army camp" in Turkish, reflecting its diverse origins." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://mesa.ucdavis.edu/urdu" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Middle East/South Asia Studies" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://mesa.ucdavis.edu/urdu" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Urdu" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Welcome to the World of UrduUrdu is spoken by over 170 million people, primarily in Pakistan and India, and is known for its rich cultural and literary heritage. It evolved during the Mughal Empire, blending Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and native Indian languages. The word "Urdu" means "army camp" in Turkish, reflecting its diverse origins." /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1280" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="720" /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2025-04-03T10:30:40-07:00" /> <meta property="article:author" content="Mishaal R Weatherford" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2025-03-19T10:08:19-07:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2025-04-03T10:30:40-07:00" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" /> <meta http-equiv="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <link rel="modulepreload" href="https://cdn.skypack.dev/pin/lit@v2.0.0-rc.3-RFrIXWBysJfo8GpKQ4Gc/mode=imports,min/optimized/lit.js" /> <link 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field--label-hidden">Urdu</span> </h1> </div> </div> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-breadcrumbs" class="l-page-title__breadcrumb block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <header id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</header> <ol class="breadcrumbs"> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/languages">Languages</a> </li> <li> Urdu </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="l-container "> <div class="region region-pre-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="l-container"> <section class=" l-basic--flipped "> <div class="l-content"> <div class="region region-content"> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-abouttheurduprogram" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentd1cacd9c-a7ab-4ac5-bd6e-163364424587 panel o-box"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><strong>About the Urdu Program</strong></h2><p><span>UC Davis currently offers one year of Urdu (Elementary Urdu). Students can find Urdu classes in Schedule Builder using the <strong>URD </strong>course code. For questions about courses and language placement, please contact </span><a href="https://mesa.ucdavis.edu/advising-office"><span>ME/SA Advising</span></a>.</p></div> </div> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-slideshowphotogallery-2" class="panel--transparent block block-sitefarm-photo-gallery block-slideshow-gallery-block panel o-box"> <div class="slideshow"> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/IMG_20230414_114802514%20%282%29.jpg?h=2e111cc1&itok=z5_EzYEI" alt="Students stand in a breezeway holding out their paper airplane kites." /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students making kites as they learn about the Basant Festival.</div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/IMG-20240227-WA0072.jpg?h=d318f057&itok=jm7qFRzO" alt="Students serve food to community at Shaam E Ghazal event." /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu Club volunteers serve dinner to community at Shaam E Ghazal 2024</div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/PHOTO-2022-04-30-23-25-24.jpg?h=08b866d1&itok=SDyEXQIC" alt="A group of students show off their henna as they stand behind the artist." /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu Program's Lecturer, Dr. Fatema, provides free henna on the quad during an outreach event.</div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image0_0.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=FQRWzV4c" alt="Students creating rangoli patterns in the Everson Courtyard. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students creating rangoli designs during the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image1.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=ZKZuQKbu" alt="Students having a conversation during the Rang Tarang event at the Everson Courtyard. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students having a conversation during the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image4.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=5DJrMi7o" alt="Students watching a musical performance at the Everson Courtyard. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students watching a musical performance during the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image5.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=f0rK1ZjB" alt="Students watching a musical performance at the Everson Courtyard. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students watching a musical performance during the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image8.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=fgWWXQgv" alt="Students tabling at the Everson Courtyard during the Rang Tarang event. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students tabling during the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/image9.jpeg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=mHwRrxFg" alt="Students gathered at the Everson Courtyard during the Rang Tarang event. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students attending the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> <div class="slideshow__item"> <img data-lazy="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_slideshow_full/public/media/images/R1.PNG?h=996b5ead&itok=VvbIZ9dc" alt="Students and staff at the Rang Tarang event. " /> <div class="slideshow__text"> <div class="slideshow__caption">Hindi Urdu students and staff at the Rang Tarang event. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-content" class="panel--nested block block-system block-system-main-block panel o-box"> <article> <div class="u-space--no-margin-collapse node__content"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodesf-pagebody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h3><strong>Welcome to the World of Urdu</strong></h3><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is spoken by over 170 million people, primarily in Pakistan and India, and is known for its rich cultural and literary heritage. It evolved during the Mughal Empire, blending Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and native Indian languages. The word "Urdu" means "army camp" in Turkish, reflecting its diverse origins.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Written in the </span><strong>Nastaliq script</strong><span>, Urdu is renowned for its graceful, flowing appearance and poetic richness. It is the language of famous poets like </span><strong>Mirza Ghalib</strong><span> and </span><strong>Faiz Ahmed Faiz</strong><span>, whose ghazals explore themes of love, loss, and beauty.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu’s influence extends beyond poetry, shaping South Asian </span><strong>literature, cinema, and music</strong><span>, particularly in Bollywood and Lollywood. It is also spoken in communities across the globe, from the Middle East to the UK and the US.</span></p><h2 class="text-align-center" dir="ltr"><span><strong><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXf96JBkPyyga-wPSiUwTsGA5P7olcX2hi_iNOVzQaPkSIl99zkdriubIGCCmbYRd4LPKdKzpsaEaQBl9bWy_C2gz1EMuGQ-ePjN_Fxe16E6EKASaS66YhlkAPgRVXVaLbigvpkJww?key=ydAx-wS-w6MVCKSalTc46sBO" height="416" width="624"></strong></span></h2><h4><strong>Our Program</strong></h4><p dir="ltr"><span>The Urdu Program at UC Davis offers an exciting and dynamic learning experience, giving students a solid foundation in speaking, reading, and writing, all while immersing them in the rich cultural, historical, and artistic traditions of the Urdu-speaking world. Get ready to explore the beauty of the language, from its graceful script to its captivating poetry, and connect with the vibrant cultures where Urdu thrives!</span></p><h4><strong>Current Course Offerings</strong></h4><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Elementary Urdu (URD 1, 2, 3)</strong><span> – Build fundamental skills in speaking, writing, and reading.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Program Expansion</strong><span>: Plans are underway to introduce intermediate level soon.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><strong>Course Registration:</strong><span> Students can enroll via </span><strong>Schedule Builder (Course Code: URD).</strong><span> For placement assistance, contact </span><strong>ME/SA Advising.</strong></p><h4><strong>Why Study Urdu?</strong></h4><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is more than just a language—it is a gateway to a rich cultural, literary, and artistic tradition. Whether you are passionate about poetry, cinema, history, or global communication, learning Urdu opens doors to a deeper understanding of South Asia and beyond.</span></p><h5><strong>1. Access a Treasure Trove of Literature</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu boasts an unparalleled literary heritage, from the soul-stirring poetry of </span><strong>Mirza Ghalib</strong><span> and </span><strong>Faiz Ahmed Faiz</strong><span> to the gripping short stories of </span><strong>Saadat Hasan Manto</strong><span>. Studying Urdu allows you to experience these works in their original form, preserving the depth and beauty that translations often miss.</span></p><h5><strong>2. The Language of Bollywood & Music</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Many of Bollywood’s most iconic dialogues and lyrics are deeply influenced by Urdu. Mastering the language enhances your appreciation of classic films, ghazals, and qawwalis by legends like </span><strong>Gulzar, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Mehdi Hassan</strong><span>.</span></p><h5><strong>3. Unlock a Global Community</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is spoken by over </span><strong>170 million people</strong><span> worldwide, connecting you to vibrant communities in </span><strong>Pakistan, India, the Middle East, the UK, and North America</strong><span>. Whether for travel, work, or personal connections, Urdu expands your global reach.</span></p><h5><strong>4. Career & Academic Opportunities</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu proficiency is valuable in fields such as </span><strong>journalism, international relations, diplomacy, academia, and translation</strong><span>. It is also a critical language for those studying </span><strong>South Asian history, literature, and political movements</strong><span>.</span></p><h5><strong>5. A Language of Elegance & Expression</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is known for its poetic charm, expressive vocabulary, and the beautiful </span><strong>Nastaliq script</strong><span>. It is a language where even everyday conversations carry a lyrical quality, making it a joy to learn and speak.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is not just a language—it is a cultural experience, a historical journey, and a creative inspiration. Whether you are drawn to its poetry, its cinema, or its global significance, studying Urdu enriches your world in ways few languages can.</span></p><h5><strong>6. The Beauty of Nastaliq Script</strong></h5><p dir="ltr"><span>Urdu is written in </span><strong>Nastaliq</strong><span>, a script known for its flowing, artistic elegance. Learning to read and write in Nastaliq connects students to a tradition of calligraphy and historic literature.</span></p><div dir="ltr"><div role="region" aria-label="Scrollable Table" tabindex="0" class="responsive-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><p class="text-align-center" dir="ltr"><strong>Urdu</strong></p></td><td><p class="text-align-center" dir="ltr"><strong>Romanization</strong></p></td><td><p class="text-align-center" dir="ltr"><strong>English Meaning</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><span>محبت</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Mohabbat</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Love</span></p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><span>دوستی</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Dosti</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Friendship</span></p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><span>کہانی</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Kahani</span></p></td><td><p dir="ltr"><span>Story</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><h4><strong>Interactive Learning at UC Davis</strong></h4><p dir="ltr"><span>Our classes are designed to be immersive and engaging, offering hands-on learning experiences:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Conversation Practice:</strong><span> Order chai at a café, bargain in a bazaar, and introduce yourself with confidence.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Poetry Fridays:</strong><span> Dive into the works of Faiz, Parveen Shakir, and contemporary poets.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Film and Music Appreciation:</strong><span> Analyze Bollywood and Lollywood classics to explore Urdu’s artistic impact.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Cultural Exchange:</strong><span> Participate in discussions, guest lectures, and events with the Urdu-speaking community.</span></li></ul><h4><strong>Annual Event: Sham-e-Ghazal</strong></h4><p dir="ltr"><span>Every year, UC Davis hosts </span><strong>Sham-e-Ghazal</strong><span>, a night dedicated to Urdu poetry and music. This event brings together students, faculty, and the local Urdu-speaking community for an evening of </span><strong>live ghazal performances, poetry recitations, and cultural festivities</strong><span>. Stay tuned for details on </span><strong>2026’s event!</strong></p><div class="align-center media media--type-sf-image-media-type media--view-mode-sf-medium"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_medium_width/public/media/images/Shaam%20E%20Ghazal.jpg?itok=NIILm8jC" width="384" height="512" alt="Shaam E Ghazal" class="image-style-sf-medium-width"> </div> <h4><strong>Join the UC Davis Urdu Community</strong></h4><p dir="ltr"><span>Whether you are a beginner or have experience with the language, the </span><strong>Urdu Program at UC Davis</strong><span> welcomes you!</span></p><h6><strong>Contact Information:</strong></h6><p dir="ltr"><strong>Middle East/South Asia Studies (ME/SA)</strong><br><span>📍 116 Everson Hall, UC Davis</span><br><span>✉️ Email: mesa@ucdavis.edu</span><br><span>📞 Phone: 530-754-4926</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Start your journey into the </span><strong>language of poetry, history, and storytelling</strong><span> today!</span></p></div> </div> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodesf-pagecontent-moderation-control"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="l-sidebar-second"> <div class="region region-sidebar-second"> <nav aria-labelledby="block-sitefarm-one-urdumenu-menu" id="block-sitefarm-one-urdumenu" class="sub-nav panel o-box"> <h2 class="sub-nav__title visually-hidden" id="block-sitefarm-one-urdumenu-menu">Urdu Menu</h2> <ul class="sub-nav__menu menu" suggestion="subnav"> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/courses-subject-code/urd/">Urdu Classes</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/minors/india-south-asia-studies">India and South Asia Studies Minor</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucdhuc/">Hindi-Urdu Club</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/111869982313237">Hindi-Urdu Facebook</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-blocksf-persons-related-to-content-block-1 panel o-box" id="block-sitefarm-one-views-block-sf-persons-related-to-content-block-1"> <h2 class="panel__title"> Program Faculty </h2> <div><div class="view view-sf-persons-related-to-content view-id-sf_persons_related_to_content view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-07361d71169ab72db0df75337bcef288a80954e862c47409fa822f6c809b5aa8"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"><article class="vm-listing"> <div class="vm-listing__figure"> <div class="field field--name-field-sf-m-primary-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Portrait Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/people/shagufta-fatema" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/shagufta-fatema.jpg?h=5d46419e&itok=-ccBwWlv" width="135" height="135" alt="Shagufta Fatema Portrait" class="image-style-sf-thumbnail" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vm-listing__body"> <h3 class="vm-listing__title"><a href="/people/shagufta-fatema" rel="bookmark"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Shagufta Fatema</span> </a></h3> <div class="field field--name-field-sf-position-title field--type-string field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Position Title</div> <ul class="list--pipe field__items"> <li class="field__item">Lecturer in Hindi/Urdu</li> </ul> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-mesalanguageplacementexams" class="category-brand--admin-blue collapse block block-block-content block-block-contentbf32eea3-b414-4cf0-acaa-b3768e51b8d4 panel o-box"> <h2 class="collapse__title collapse__title--closed"> Language Placement Exams </h2> <div class="collapse__content u-hidden--visually"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>ME/SA Studies recommends that students who have not previously taken Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Punjabi or Urdu at UC Davis, but have prior experience or study elsewhere, take the relevant placement test at the <a href="https://llc.ucdavis.edu">UC Davis Language Center</a>. Students who have no experience in the language or previous coursework do not need a placement test, and should simply enroll in course 001 in Fall.</p></div> </div> </div> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-gradinginbeginninglanguagecourses" class="category-brand--admin-blue collapse block block-block-content block-block-contenta5e1434f-5a9b-402a-83ce-8cc2e2604495 panel o-box"> <h2 class="collapse__title collapse__title--closed"> Grading in Beginning Language Courses </h2> <div class="collapse__content u-hidden--visually"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>To enforce <a href="https://academicsenate.ucdavis.edu/bylaws-regulations/regulations#536-">Academic Senate Regulation 536 (ASR)</a>, a student who has completed a second or more advanced year of high-school-level course work in a foreign language in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade shall be awarded credit for course 001 (or its equivalent) in that language only if they take the course on a Passed or Not Passed basis. Enforcement of this regulation occurs in the sixth week of the quarter. For more information, contact the <a href="https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/contact/">Office of the University Registrar</a>.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </section> </div> <div class="l-container"> </div> </main> <footer class="l-footer footer dark-background"> <div class="l-container"> <div class="region region-footer flex-footer"> <div class="flex-footer__item"> <div id="block-middleeastsouthasiastudies" class="block block-block-content block-block-content6be46220-31c8-433f-aadf-94bc65e580f0"> <h2> Middle East/South Asia Studies </h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>116 Everson Hall<br> UC Davis<br> Davis, CA 95616<br> <a href="mailto:mesaweb@ucdavis.edu">mesa@ucdavis.edu</a><br> 530-754-4926<br> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Everson+Hall,+300+Hutchison+Dr,+Davis,+CA+95616/@38.5392784,-121.7502141,16.39z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8085290e560e96e7:0xf45a19f841f7e6f5!8m2!3d38.5386182!4d-121.7501294!16s%2Fg%2F1s048ztz4">map</a><a href="https://cortex.dss.ucdavis.edu/mesa/map"> </a></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="flex-footer__item"> <div id="block-adminlinks" class="block block-block-content block-block-content8a8f8d78-c34c-4dfe-8d06-4127d4080d79"> <h2> Admin LInks </h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/login">Login</a><br> <a href="mailto:lsitwebsites@ucdavis.edu">Webmaster</a></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="flex-footer__item"> <div id="block-lslogo" class="block block-block-content block-block-content6afa55b1-dabf-43ca-a19d-8091a776b6a3"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><a><div class="media media--type-sf-image-media-type media--view-mode-default"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/dgvnsk11471/files/media/images/CLS_WM_1Level_WHITE.png" width="400" height="94" alt="College of Letters and Science Logo"> </div> </a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer-spacer"> <div class="footer-spacer__logo"> <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/"><img src="/profiles/sitefarm/themes/sitefarm_one/images/aggie-logo-white.svg" class="ucd-logo" alt="UC Davis footer logo" width="180" height="140" loading="lazy" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="region region-footer-credits"> <div id="block-sitefarm-one-uccredits" class="uc-footer block block-uc-credits block-uc-credits-block"> <p><a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California, Davis</a>, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 | 530-752-1011</p> <ul class="list--pipe"> <li><a href="mailto:mesa@ucdavis.edu">Questions or comments?</a></li> <li><a href="http://ucdavis.edu/help/privacy-accessibility.html">Privacy & Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/principles-community">Principles of Community</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/">University of California</a></li> <li><a href="/sitemap">Sitemap</a></li> <li>Last update: April 3, 2025</li> </ul> <p>Copyright © The Regents of the University of California, Davis campus. 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