Sicily and encouraged the growth of smallholdings, undermining the dominance of the latifundia. The Arabs further improved irrigation systems. The language spoken in Sicily under Arab rule was Siculo-Arabic and Arabic influence is still present in some Sicilian words today. Although the language is extinct in Sicily, it has developed into what is now the Maltese language on the islands of Malta today. A description of Palermo was given by Ibn Hawqal, an Arab merchant who visited Sicily in 950. A walled suburb, called the Al-Kasr (the palace), is the centre of Palermo to this day, with the great Friday mosque
Capital City Day (Kazakhstan) Capital City Day (Kazakhstan) The Day of the Capital City of Kazakhstan is an official Public holiday in Kazakhstan. It was established in 2009 and is celebrated on July 6. It celebrates the Capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana. On July 6, 1994, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan adopted a resolution to transfer the capital of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Akmola. On May 6, 1998, Akmola was renamed to Astana and gained status as the capital city. On July 18, 2008, the government approved a bill making Capital Day a state holiday. since 2009, the best brass bands of Kazakhstan and