How to install an Arabic version of Mac OS 9

A quick search for Hebrew and Mac OS 9 bring up the readme for Mac OS 9.2.1:

120030- Mac OS 9.2.1: Document and Software

Apple Language Kits and Mac OS 9.2
Apple's language kits are now included with the Mac OS. If you use language kits, you must upgrade both your system software and your language kits at the same time using the Mac OS 9.2 CD. Versions of Apple language kits prior to Mac OS 9.1 (Language Kits 1.1) are not compatible with Mac OS 9.2. To upgrade your system software and language kits, start up from the Mac OS 9.2 CD by inserting the CD and holding down the C key as you restart the computer. Continue holding down the C key until you see the CD background. Open the Mac OS Installer and click Customize in the Install Software panel. Select both the Mac OS Install and Language Kits, and remember to select the specific language kits you want to upgrade.

Apple Language Kits and ATM Deluxe 4.5
ATM Deluxe 4.5 is not compatible with WorldScript I, the system extension used to support certain languages in Mac OS. Use ATM Deluxe 4.6 or later if you plan on using any of the following language kits: Arabic, Hebrew, Devanagari, Gurmukhi, or Gujarati.

The article has been revised, and calls Mac OS 9 dated and strongly suggests you explore Mac OS X, providing several links to help you do so.

This page shows the available updaters for Mac OS 9.1.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75103

As you can see, for Mac OS 9, each language version is separate. You cannot update an English version to become another language version. And Arabic is not listed.

I remember reading about Arabic support for Mac OS X. I think it was this article. It shows some interesting screen shots.

http://www.emiratesmac.com/forums/blog/1028-preview-arabic-mac-os-x-10-4-tiger.h tml

I'm not sure if it is implemented yet. My installation of Mac OS X does not have Arabic as a choice, but it may have been an option in the installer that was not selected. Unlike Mac OS 9, every Mac OS X installation can support all the available language options (simply by going to System Preferences).

In Mac OS 9, there is a separate Arabic language kit. It allows support for printing and displaying Arabic, but it does not turn the interface into Arabic. Here's information about that, but I'm not sure how to get it these days.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=56864

Well, of course they want you to switch to OSX. But I've been using Hebrew and Arabic on my iMac 9x for years without any problems: switching from Hebrew to English with a push of a button and back again; sending and receiving mail (in unicode of course), making web-pages that contain (large amounts of) Hebrew/Arabic, my mac all did and does this without much difficulty.

I'm not sure if it is implemented yet.

No, there is no Arabic localization for OS X yet.