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[Feature Request] Proper Arabic Language Support in Matplotlib Plots · Issue #29806 · matplotlib/matplotlib · GitHub

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[Feature Request] Proper Arabic Language Support in Matplotlib Plots #29806

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Description

Description

Currently, when using Arabic text in Matplotlib plots (titles, labels, legends), the text appears incorrectly due to:

  1. Left-to-right rendering instead of proper right-to-left.
  2. Arabic characters are shown as disconnected (e.g., "ت ش ا ت" instead of "تشات").
  3. Usage of fonts that lack Arabic support, resulting in broken symbols or empty boxes.

This greatly affects the usability of Matplotlib for Arabic-speaking users in scientific, academic, and educational contexts.


Proposed Solution

To resolve this issue, we propose the following enhancements:

  1. Integrate Arabic reshaping and bidi support:

  2. Support Arabic-compatible fonts such as:

    • Amiri
    • Noto Naskh Arabic
    • Lateef
    • Cairo
  3. Auto-detect Arabic text and apply shaping + direction correction internally (if feasible).


Visual Example

The following image shows a real example of the issue where Arabic text is rendered incorrectly in a plot:

(please see attached image or PDF)


Attached PDF Report

A full report is attached with:

  • Bilingual description (Arabic + English)
  • Proposed technical solution
  • Plot illustration of the current rendering issue

Environment

  • Matplotlib version: [please fill]
  • Python version: [please fill]
  • OS: [please fill]

Thank you for your efforts and for supporting internationalization!

Activity

  1. self-assigned this
    on Mar 26, 2025
  2. added this to the v3.11.0 milestone on Mar 26, 2025
  3. QuLogic commented on Mar 26, 2025

    Member

    Yes, this is a known issue with complex script support, and work is underway to support it. See, e.g., #29357 and #23082.

  4. moved this from Waiting for other PR to In Progress in Font and text overhaulon Jun 5, 2025
  5. linked a pull request that will close this issueImplement text shaping with libraqm #30000on Aug 8, 2025
  6. QuLogic commented on Apr 10, 2026

    Member

    The text-overhaul branch is now merged to main.

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