Rhythm of the Drums

Classic stuff ...

Beautiful Birds: Cormoronts Flying

We've seen these birds whilst we were crossing the Bahrain-Saudi causeway and did manage to film them, but this video's far better ...

English - Arabic Loan Words: N-R

Today's posting follows on from various wgaw blog archives {see wgaw blog archieves: loan words} and continues the list of English words whose roots are said to have been borrowed, or loaned from the Arabic.

Words in the list below start with the letters 'N' to 'R' and are listed in alphabetical order. The English word is followed by the root word in Arabic [xxx] and then the Arabic meaning. On the line below is the meaning in English.

If I needed help with the English definition I used: 'The Oxford English Reference Dictionary' ISBN: 0-19-860046-1


N

Nabob 
A Muslim
official or governor under the mogul empire

Nacre
Mother of pearl from any shelled mollusc

Nadir
[na-zir as-sam-t'] opposite to the zenith
The part of the celestial sphere directly below the observer. The lowest point in one’s fortunes

Natron
[nat-run]
a mineral form of sodium salts found in dried lake bed


O

Oasis

Open sesame
[if-ta il sim sim-mah]
A means of acquiring or achieving what is normally unattainable (from the magic words used by Ali Baba in the Arabian nights)

Ottoman
utmani of Othman
Concerning the dynasty of Osman I


P
Pia mater
[al umm al ra-ki-kah]  tender mother
The delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord

Popinjay
[baba-ga]
A conceited person, historically a figure of a parrot on a pole as a mark to shoot at


Q
Qur'an
The Islamic holy book, also spelt Koran


R
Racket
[ra-ha]  palm of the hand
A bat with a round or oval frame strung with nylon used in tennis squash, etc

Ramadan
possibly [ra-ma-da], be hot
The ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset

Realgar
[rehj al ghar]  dust of the cave
A mineral of arsenic sulphide used as a pigment and in fireworks

Ream
[riz-ma]  bundle
500 sheets of paper

Rebec
[rebab]
three stringed musical instrument played with a bow

Rigel
[ri-jil]  foot
The seventh brightest star in the sky and the brightest in the constellation of Orion. It is a blue super giant nearly sixty thousand times as luminous as our sun

Rook
[rukh]   original sense uncertain
Chess piece with its top in the shape of a battlement

Cooking Rice can Take some Time

Cooking rice seems to be an art form in the Arab world.  Rice is eaten everyday, it's cooked with care and attention and enjoyed in a way we can only aim for in the west.

Which might explain why many Arabs take rice with them when they go on holiday. If you've flown out of the Middle East on a Middle Eastern carrier to a long-haul destination when you waitin for your luggage at baggage arrivals, you'll come across endless rice sacks being extracted from the aircraft hold.

Years ago I remember trying to explain to an English woman how rice was cooked in my husband's family house.  We were being listened to by a Gulf Arab and after a while he could contain himself no longer.  He had to disagree with me, long and loud and was completely passionate about how to cook rice, in a manner which was different from mine.

I also remember a trip to Pakistan where the air hostesses couldn't give away the food because there was no rice in the main course.


The Recipe for Rice:
To make rice like an Arab you'll need to follow the directions below:

1. Put the water for the rice on to boil and switch on the ring so it warms up
2. Measure out the rice you will need into a large saucepan and add cold water
3. Agitate the rice with your hand(s) to release the carbohydrates, when the water becomes cloudy drain off the water.  Do this as many times as it takes for the starch to disappear, usually it will take about three washes to remove the clouds of carbohydrates
4. Once the water runs clear add the boiling water to the rice and put the rice on the ring to boil
5. Boil the rice until it is almost soft, but has a slightly hard bit in the middle. Remove the rice from the ring and put in a sieve. Wash the rice with cold water to stop it cooking

6. Dry the saucepan and add butter, ghee or margarine to the bottom of the pan and put on the ring to warm

7. When the fat is melted, put the rice in the pan and warm on a low heat for an hour or so

8. Once the rice is cooked the pan can be taken from the heat and then turned upside down. You’ll find your rice will come out together, a bit like a sponge cake. On the top of the rice you’ll have a crispy, fatty circle of rice called the telfa [tel-fah] a Persian word which children (and adults) fight over.

Variations:

1.

When melting the fat, fry a couple of chopped onions until brown and leave them in the saucepan. Add the rice on top and cook for an hour

2.

Once the rice is in the pan, add 5 cardamoms, saffron water (saffron infused in hot water for half an hour) and three sticks of cinnamon. Cook for an hour and eat.

Eating Rice and Bread at the Same Time
I once read a book by Anthony Bourdain, an American who appeared to have no cultural understanding of what happened outside America.  He opened a restaurant in Japan and got really mad with the Japanese chefs because they would continually serve rice and potatoes together. I remember reading it and thinking, well they do that here in the Middle East too. 

I contemplated his thoughts one day during a meal where in front of me were four carbohydrates; rice, potatoes, bread and spaghetti. All four were being served at the same time, at the same meal. In the Middle East it is the eater, not the chef, who decides which and how many carbohydrates they want to eat with their meat.


Other Types of Rice
Various meat dishes have specific rice dishes to go with them. Fish is always eaten with rice which has dill mixed through it. Another classic way to cook rice is to add lentils.  Whilst a classic dish for Ramadan is kushery [cush-er-ree] a mixture of rice, pasta and lentils.


Rice Pudding
In the Gulf the rice for rice pudding is ground until it becomes a rough flour texture. This is then cooked with milk, saffron and cinnamon, put into individual bowls, chilled and served cold.

He did What?

Donkeys are still used for transportation in the GCC and most days I'll pass one or two on my way to work. Here's one who isn't going very far:

Brown Outs

I met a woman last who'd travelled from Dubai to Bahrain.

Whilst she'd been at Dubai airport waiting to check in all the lights had gone out and were out for 10 minutes.

She wandered over to the security guard to ask what was happening and was greeted with the question,
"Yes, it's a bit worrying isn't it?"

Image taken from : blogger: coolsciencenews

Changes: Some Positive, Some Negative

I feel quite positive about many of the changes which are occuring in the Gulf right now.

Image taken from:  http://www.islammonitor.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1355&Itemid=63  


Having said that, as westerners we often expect change to happen fast, although that's something that's open to interpretation. Women were banned from voting in Switzerland until 1971 (and in the area of, 'Appenzell Inner Rhoden' until 1991), whilst the last witch trial was held in England in 1944. Helen Duncan was convicted and served nine months in jail.

But I digress. If we accept changes occur in the Middle East at a Middle Eastern pace, because it is the Middle East, then things are moving very quickly indeed.

Two years ago Saudi newspapers were noticable empty of women; not a single woman would be pictured, ever. It was as if only one sex existed. Last week I counted 10 photos of women in the Friday newspaper, with one of those photos covering half a page, in full colour, with the woman's arms and head hair on display. In local terms that is F1 speed.


Some Positive
So, why all the positivity? Last week it was announced

1.
Kuwaiti women would no longer need a Mahram {see wgaw blog archive: divorce}, which leaves just Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan {see wgaw blog archive: rape} the only places in the world in which a woman is legally not allowed to leave the house without a male escort.

2.
Mixed education can now take place, up to the age of 9, in private schools in Saudi Arabia. See this article


Some Negative
However, on the negative side, the Sudanese fundie group, 'al shabab' [al sha-bab] (the boys) announced this week in addition to women being banned from wearing trousers, they could no longer wear bras. It seems they check if a bra is being worn by forcing the women to shake her breasts.

I shouldn't joke, in general sarcasm is not used or understood in the Gulf, but what article of clothing is next I wonder?

Image taken from:  http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/showthread.php?p=376468

You know You've Lived in the Middle East for too Long when….

This has definately been done before, but it arrived in my email today and I thought I'd post it anyway:

You enjoy camping in the sand

You are not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat

You serve coffee in a thimble

You expect confirmation on your airline reservation to be “inshallah”

You think everyone’s first name is “Al”

You need a sweater when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Your idea of housework is leaving a note for the houseboy

You understand “no problem” means follow up

You think skis were developed for use on sand dunes

You believe speed limits are only advisory

You expect to see tractors driving at 40 kmp on a super highway

You expect police to drive BMW’s

You know whether you are within missile range of Iraq

You think black is appropriate day wear

You think it’s normal to play golf on the sand and putt on the brown

You refuse to go swimming in the Gulf unless the water is in the mid 90’s F

You wear a jacket inside and take it off when you go outside

You think shopping malls are covered souqs

You expect your office to call you at home on Fridays

You can judge a perfect “10” by the ankle

You think carpets belong on the wall

You know which end of the sharwma to unwrap first

You think the further you inch into the middle of the intersection the faster the light will turn green

You believe that the definition of “nanosecond’ is the time interval between the time the light turns green 

and the time that the guy behind you begins to blow his horn

You believe it’s normal to buy a car without first taking it for a test drive

You give directions by landmarks instead of road names

You think all gas stations are made of marble

You can receive every television station except the local station

You get used to using the cold water tap to get hot water during the summer

You think being liberated means sitting in the family section

You think a red light means run it

You can’t buy anything without asking for a discount

You have more carpets than floor space

You expect all stores to stay open till midnight

You understand that “wadi bashing” isn’t a criminal act

You make left turns from the far right lane

You think Pepsi begins with a “B”

You send friends a map instead of your address

You think Kleenex belongs on the dinner table

You think the biggest event of the year is the camel races

You think water only comes in bottles

'Coz Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

When Arab women marry they will always receive a shabka [shab-ca] or a set of jewellery (ring, earrings, a bracelet and a necklace, recently expanded to a tiara) from their husband-to-be, or their husband-to-be family.

Arab women usually wear sets of jewellery in everyday situations, but what makes the shabka different from other jewellery sets is the addition of the bracelet.

Traditionally Arab brides go shopping in the gold suq with their mothers and sisters or friends and choose the shabka themselves; it has to be something they like. The husband will then visit the shop at a later date and pay for it.

Image: shabka holder at a wedding. unfortunately i was too slow with the camera and the bride had put on the shabka before I could take a photo of it :-(


In the Arab world jewellery is not just about being decorated, it's also a way of saving. Jewellery given to a woman becomes hers absolutely and as a consequence women can act as the families' bankers. Women are given jewellery as children and will continue to collect throughout their life, with many women receiving jewellery (on the whole wedding presents consist of jewellery to the bride, rather than the Western tradition of household items) when they marry.

Women in the Gulf have traditionally bought and sold: as new fashions arrive the jewellery tends to go back to the goldsmith to be melted down and reworked, making old pieces quite rare.


Why 22 Carat?
Gold in the Gulf is always 21 or 22 carat which gives it the deep dark mustard yellow colour. The 9 carat jewellery found in England is described by jewellers here as being, “Not really gold at all, is it?”

When I first arrived in the Gulf and visited the gold suq I thought the gold shab-ka sets must be fakes, they were just so big and there were so many of them.  I could not believe all that gold was for real.

I found out many years later one of the reasons for the jewellery being so big and so pure was simple.  Originally the wearer would be sitting in a dark tent and small jewellery just wouldn't reflect any light, whilst the 22 carat purity would mean the colour of the reflected light was soft and orange, not hard and yellow.

We're Going to the Party, and We're, Going to get Mar-a-a-reed

So you want to organise a wedding in the Gulf?  It's easy, just follow this handy hints guide and you'll be fine:


Guests
As a general rule the bride will invite her entire family, their friends, their friends, her work colleages, her school friends and everyone else she and her family have ever known. A small wedding is considered to be about 300 female guests; weddings are a time for celebration and everyone comes for the event.

Two events will take place; one for the male guests (sit, drink tea, chat, eat buffet at about 8pm) and another for the female guests (dance, music, laugh, eat buffet at about 11:30pm, chat, dance some more). Guests are not expected to bring presents.  In Arab hospitality terms, 'he who throws a party pays for everything'.  And in this case, it's the groom.

Invitations

Strange but true; when a woman is invited to a wedding her name will not be on the wedding invitation.  Wedding invitiations should be written in Arabic, in a manner similar to the following:

"To the Woman who is not Immoral and who is Married to Mr. (insert husband's name)"


What to Wear
Thankfully bling x2 and as much of it as you've got. If you’re invited to an Arabic wedding never worry you’ll be wearing too much jewellery.  I believe the phrase, "too much jewellery" is an oxymoron when talking about Arab weddings. Arab weddings are the time and the place to bring out all your jewellery and wear it all at the same time.  Forget the phrase, 'Less is More'.  Here, 'More is More'.

I used to go to weddings wearing what would be considered polite in European jewellery terms and always felt under-dressed. Arab weddings are about exhuberance and wearing all your diamonds, watches, bracelets and earrings.  Together.

Dresses should be long, to the floor and very smart. Mostly plain colours are worn, very few girls will choose to wear patterns, but the dress will be ornamented with sparkly stuff and plenty of it.

The closest relatives of the bride will usually decide upon a theme and all the girls will buy their dresses to match-in with the theme, often shopping together.  As a result, Saudi Arabia must have the best choice of party frocks in the world; Damman has an entire district turned over to wedding dress shops. ~Fab-a-roony~

The bride usually wears a long, complicated white gown with lots of sparkles and detailing.  Trains are anything upto 20 feet long.  However, red is often worn as this is the traditional colour to get married in.


The Hall
As a general overview you’ll see endless round dining tables, surrounding a central dance floor. At the head of the dance floor you’ll see a stage containing a love seat for the bride and groom. To the side of the stage you’ll see the wedding cake, a place for the Qur'an and another space for the dowry jewellery or Shbaka [shab-ka] {see wgaw future blog archive: shabka}.

Before you reach the hall though you'll need to hand over your wedding invitation, a lady will be seated and checking you've been invited.  Once your invitation has been checked you'll be allowed to enter between the heavy curtains which cover the entrance hall.  From there you can start taking off outside clothes and prepare for the wedding hall and the reception committe.  

Image: having been allowed entrance between the heavy curtains, I'm in a corridor walking towards the wedding hall


The Reception Committee
The first thing you'll see when entering the wedding hall will be a reception committee. The groom’s nearest relatives will be on one side and will form a line and the bride’s nearest relatives will be on the other side forming a similar line. Both sides will face each other and a gap is left in the middle, wide enough to allow guests to greet the relatives on both sides as they arrive.

The first person at the head of one line will be the bride’s mother and on the other, the groom’s mother. You are expected to congratulate and kiss all the reception committee by working your way down one side to the end and then start on the other side. Each person will be kissed and you'll have to work out how many kisses to give and on which side of her face.  It's usually three kisses, but there are no rules for which side to start kissing, or how many kisses to give on each side, or even if it's two, three or four kisses.


Tables for Guests
There are two types of guest tables at Arabic weddings and both are an art form in themselves.

Food
Nibbles will be put on the tables for guests

and a three course buffet will be served at around 11pm

Chocolates
Chocolates are a must and each table will have several plates of chocolates (designer preferably)

In addition, when the bridge and groom appear, boxes of chocolates will be handed out to each guest

Centre Stage
When the bride and groom arrive at the reception at around 10:30 in the evening they will walk through the hall towards a centre stage at the head of room.  On either side of the centre stage the closest relatives will sit on large, winged armchairs.  The stage will look something like this:

or this,

or this,

or this,

The Cake
Cakes need to be big to allow each guest to eat a piece.  There's no real fashion or style rules, it's up to the bride to choose what she wants, although most cakes are similar in style and highlight aspects of the centre stage (see above)

Music
All Arabic weddings have music and it's got to be loud, very loud {see wgaw blog archive: rachid al majid and amer diab }

Twenty years ago or so a traditional band would sit in two rows along the edge of the dance floor, in front of the bridal stage and play music all night long. They would bring women dancers with them and these women would lead the guests dancing.  Not so any longer.

Now the band or DJ is hidden away behind a set of curtains (men were playing the musical instruments or CDs) and played anonymously. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I asked for the reason why they were hidden - I thought there might be some plausible explanation and I missing the point somewhere.  It turned out the reason for hiding the men is so they can't see the girls at the wedding party and make eye contact with them, I guess also so the women can remove their hijabs and relax. Female DJs make so much more sense in this situation.

At the last wedding I attended the guests had got the idea of dealing with an invisible DJ and would cheer, clap and generally whistle when they liked the music he played.  There was also the opportunity to go behind the screen and request specific records.


Photography & Videos
As in the west the bride and groom will hire a photographer and a video camera operator. In the GCC the camera operators will always be female and usually Phillipino.

Again, as in the west, the photographers will take enormous quantities of photos and then present the couple with an album of their wedding photos. The photos taken will be similar to the ones taken in the west for weddings; bride and groom, bride with her family, groom with his family, etc., etc.

In addition to the bride and grooms photos, a recent trend has started to happen at weddings; digital photo studios are now appearing in one corner of the wedding hall and guests can have thier photos taken whilst in their finery.

Various local ladies I know won’t have their photographs taken at weddings any longer and cover up or put on a hijab {see wgaw blog archive: hijab} whenever a photographer or video camerawoman comes near. 

They don’t want any possibility of their hair being seen by a man who might look at the wedding photographs once they are being handed around to the relatives. This also applies to the recent phenominom of not dancing at a wedding party – the women don't wish to be seen by men who might look at the wedding videos at a later date.  ~I usually feel a bit of a 'chump' at this point, having had the most clothes on all night, I suddenly have the least clothes on and with a man present, too boot~


Personal Recollections
1.
I took an English girlfriend to a family wedding and she was taking photos of the women dancing on the stage (she’s a belly dancer). One of the women dancing came over to her, turned into a ball of anger and spat out at us that she shouldn't be taking photographs of the women on stage. Later that same evening when my friend was belly dancing for the bride and groom, this lady was at the front video taping her.

2.
A friend was telling me she was really happy to be going to India to visit her grandmother. One of the reasons she was so happy was because she would now be able to show her grandmother her sister’s wedding photos.

I asked why she hadn’t sent them to her grandmother through the post.  She answered,
“Because my sister’s husband says if the envelope is opened whilst it’s being transported to my grandmother’s, the person who looks at the photographs might be a man and will see my wife’s face.  And he doesn’t want that to happen.”


What's Next?
On Wednesday I'll post on the jewellery worn at weddings

Always & Forever

For me the gap between Arab and non-Arab cultures is the most obvious when it comes to the process of getting married. Oh and when you die {see wgaw blog archive on: mourning}.

Everything which could possibly be different is, and it's so different you sometimes wonder if you're actually talking about the same thing.  Infact there's so much to explain it's not all going to fit in one blog post, so this week there'll be three posts all talking about marriage.  Then next week we'll do the divorce post.

The entire strategy of marriage in the Gulf seems to come from a different place and was explained to me thus;
“Traditional Arabs believe marriage should foster love rather than be as a result of love. The main aim in the pre-nuptual negotiations are financial security and status within the community.”

That makes sense, it truely does. It's not that long ago we were doing the same thing in the West.

But what doesn't make sense to me is the separation of the sexes during times of extreme joy (weddings) and extreme distress (funerals) by the way who on earth put the 'fun' part in the word funeral? And this seperation at such emotional times is probably the only thing, after all these years in the Gulf, that still seems truely strange.  Please send the arguements, maybe something will finally resonate with me?

I remember attending a wedding where I became so sad for the bride and the bride's father I started to cry; he couldn’t see his daughter looking so radiant and she couldn't be with her father at probably the most important event of her life.

At the time I was still mourning the death of my own father and remember thinking what a lost opportunity it was.  I also remember thinking I was acting totally out of the cultural norms.  It's unusual for a father to attend the wedding of his own daughter and not very many woman would expect their father to be there.

However, that does seem to be changing and the last couple of weddings I atteneded various male relatives attended the female party for about half an hour.  And at a couple the boys/men were dancing with the girls.  Fun times.


Overview
Wedding celebrations take place for real marriages, but not for hourly, daily or weekly marriages {see wgaw archive on: muta & misyar} and can last up to a week. In my experience I’ve found them exhausting; happy events, but exhausting.

Once the henna party has been held {see wgaw archive on: henna} all thoughts move onto the wedding night itself.

These days wedding parties are usually held in hotels although they are also held in tents {see wgaw archive on: death in a tent}, with tradition dictating the groom pays.  He either takes money from his savings or he takes out a loan from the bank. Because weddings have become so expensive a couple of solutions have been introduced recently; mass/group weddings and donations from the government (especially in the UAE) to help cover the costs.


Timing
Weddings take place throughout the year but there are two months for Sunnis (Ramadan and Muharram) and three months for Shi'ites (Ramadan, Muharram, Saffar) when tradition dictates no one marries {see wgaw archive on: 5 pillars of Islam}.  That means for these months we're all attending a lot of weddings; I've got four and my boss has six.

Wedding ceremonies can take place on any day of the week, but always take place in the evening. This gives the bride all day to get ready and she is then able to appear at the wedding reception, looking absolutely gorgeous, on the arms of her husband at around 11pm.


What's Next?
On Monday the blog post will explain what occurs at female-only wedding receptions.

How to Read & Write Arabic: Kaaf

This week's letter Kaaf is an easy letter to say; it sounds like the 'k' in the English word, 'likewise', but not like the K in the word, 'kite'.

Kaaf is a connector and consequently there are four different ways of writing the letter. With this particular letter there is quite a variation in the shapes, so take a careful look at the letters shown below. However, in all forms, all parts of this letter must be written above the line. 

Don’t forget to add the 'backwards 2' shape (which looks like something called a 'hamza' a consonant which sounds like a glottal stop and which has no representative sound in English) in the independent and final forms:

Initial

Medial

Final

Independent

You’ll find examples of each of the four shapes in the photographs below:


Initial
You'll recognise the first one, from all the advertising: ko (kaaf, waw/ooh) ka (kaaf, alif) ko (kaaf, waw/ooh) la

Medial
The first one is easy, but the second and third are a little more difficult to spot

Notice the hamza at the end of the writing in the Hidd Power Station photograph above. Although Hamzas are not letters in the Arabic alphabet, they are used to indicate the letter changes sound. Park that information, we'll come back to it in a later blog.






Final
Look for the hamza, if this mark is missing a kaaf isn't a kaaf when its in a final and independent form.
FYI: fish market is 'Suq al Simick' in Arabic:

Independent
Again, don't forget the hamza

Hide & Seek
Now see if you can find some kaafs in the photos below:

Until the next time, and the letter laam, ma-sa-la-ma

Choosing a Name for your Baby Boy

Today's posting is a list of the meaning of Muslim boy's names.

Arabic names appear to be quite complicated, although they aren't really {see wgaw archive: understanding people's names}.  Most given names have meanings {see wgaw archives: girls names A-L and girls names M-Z} whilst Allah or God has 99 names {see wgaw archives: 99 names of God }

Names and all possible spellings are posted, then the direct translation in English.



A

Aadil;  Just

Aamir;  Populous, full, prosperous

Aarif;  Acquainted, knowledgeable

Aasim/ Asim;  Protector

Aban;  Old Arabic name

Abbas;  Description of a lion

Abbud/ Abbudin;  Worshippers

Abid/ Abidin;  Worshipper, adorer

Abu al Khayr;  One who does good

Abu Bakr;  One of the Prophets companions

Adan;  Garden of Eden

Adel/ Adil;  Just

Adham;  Black or dark

Adib;  Cultured, well mannered one

Adli;  Judicial, juridical

Adnan/ Adnan;  Old Arabic name

Afif/ Afeef;  Chaste, modest

Afuww;  Pardoner, Forgiver

Ahad;  the One

Ahmed;  Commendable, Praiseworthy

Ajib;  Wonderful

Akhir;  Existence is without an end

Akif;  Focused

Akil/ Akeel/ Aqeel; Intelligent, thoughtful, one who uses reason

Akram;  Most generous

Al Abbas;  Description of a lion

Al Bara;  Wholesome with innocence

Al Hakam;  Arbitrator, judge

Al Harith;  The plowman

Al Safi;  Clear, pure, fine

Al Tayyib;  The good one

Al Tijani; Crowning

Al Tufail/ Al Tufayl;  old Arabic name

Ala/ Alaa;  Nobility, excellence

Alawi;

Aleem;  All knowing, knowledgeable

Alhasan/ Alhusain/ Alhusayn;  Handsome, good

Ali;  The highest, greatest, excellent, noble.  Name of the Prophets son-in-law and the fourth Caliph

Alim;  Wise or learned

Almahdi;  Guided to the right path

Altaf;  Kindness

Altair;  The flying eagle; a star in Lyra

Amid;  General

Amin/ Ameen; Faithful, trustworthy

Amir/ Ameer;  Ruler, prince, leader

Amjad;  More glorious

Ammar/ Ammar;  Builder, constructor

Amro;  Old Arabic name

Anas;  Very sociable; name of one of the Prophets companions

Anis/ Anees; Close friend

Antarah;  Heroic

Anwar;  Radiant, full of light

Aqueel/ Aqil; Old Arabic name

Arfan;  Gratitude

Arif;  Acquainted, knowledgeable

Arsh;  Dominion, Crown

Asad;  Happy, fortunate, lucky

Asad/ Assad;  Lion

Asadel;  Most prosperous one

Ashraf;  Most honorable

Asif;  Forgiveness

Asim/ Assim;  Protector, defender

Aswad; Black

Ata al Rahman;  Gift of the Beneficent

Ata Allah;  Gift of God

Athir;  Favored, preferred

Atif/ Atif;  Compassionate, sympathetic

Awad;  Reward, compensation

Awf;  A plant with a nice smell

Aws;  To give

Awwab;  Returning to Allah

Awwal;  First

Ayham;  Brave

Ayman;  Lucky

Ayser;  Easy in dealing, wealthy

Ayyub/ Ayoob;  A Prophets name - Job in the Bible

Aza;  Comfort

Azab;  Traveling, wandering

Azeem/ Azim;  Defender, refers to one of Gods 99 qualities

Azhar;  Shining, luminous

Aziz;  Powerful, Strong

Azzam/ Azzam;  Determined, resolved



B

Baaqi;  Everlasting

Basim/ Baasim;  Smiling

Baasit;  Expander

Baatin;  Hidden

Badi;  Marvelous Incomparable

Badr/ Bader;  Full moon

Badri;  One who took part in the battle of Badr

Baha/ Baha;  Beautiful, magnificent

Bahij;  Cheerful

Bahir;  Dazzling, brilliant

Bahiy Udeen;  The magnificent of the Faith

Baith;  Reserrector

Bakr/ Baker [bar-ker];  Old Arabic name

Bakri;  One who starts work early

Baligh;  Eloquent

Bandar;  Seaport, district capital

Barakah;  Blessing

Bari/ Baari;  Creator

Barir;  Faithful

Barr;  Source of All Goodness, Righteous

Baseer;  The All Seeing

Bashir/ Bashshar;  Bringer of glad tidings

Basil/ Basel;  Brave

Basim/ Bassam;  Smiling

Bayhas;  Name of the lion

Bilal;  name of the Prophet’s Muezzin

Bishr;  Joy

Boulos;  Arabic form of ‘Paul’

Budail/ Budayl;  Name of a companion of the Prophet

Burhan;  Proof

Bushr;  Joy, happiness

Butrus;  Arabic form of ‘Peter’



D


Daarr;  Distressed

Dabir;  Secretary

Dani;  Near, close

Darwish/ Dervish

Daud/ Dawud/ Dawoud/ Dawoo;  Beloved, a Prophets name - David

Dhakir;  Someone who remembers God frequently

Dhakiy/ Dhakwan;  Intelligent, bright

Dhul Fiqar;  Name of the Prophets sword

Dirar;  Old Arabic name

Diya;  Brightness, light

Duqaq



E


Ebrahim

Essam



F

Faakhir;  Proud, Excellent

Faarooq; He who distinguishes truth from falsehood

Fadi/ Faadi/ Fadee;  Redeemer

Fadil/ Fadl;  Generous, honorable, superior

Fahd/Fahad;  Leopard, lynx

Fahmi;  Understanding

Faisal/ Faysal;  Decisive

Faiz/ Fayez; Winner

Fakhir;  Proud, excellent

Fakhri/ Fakhry; Honorary

Fakih;  Legal expert; one who recites the Quran

Falah/ Falih; Success

Faraj/ Farraj;  Relief, freedom from grief

Farhan;  Happy

Farid/ Fareed;  Unique, rare

Fariq/ Fareeq;  Lieutenant General

Faris/ Faaris [far-ris];  Horseman, Knight

Faruq/ Farooq;  one who distinguishes truth from falsehood

Fateen;  Clever, Smart

Fath/ Fathi/ Fathey;  Victorious one, Conqueror

Fattaah; Judge

Fawwaz [faa-waz];  Most successful

Fawzan; Victorious

Fawzi/ Fauzi/ Fouwzi;  Successful

Fayyad;  Overflowing, generous

Ferran;  Baker

Fida/ Fidaa;  Redemption, sacrifice

Fikri;  Thought, ideas

Firas;  Perspicacity

Fouad/ Fuad;  Heart

Fudail;  Excellent in character



G

Gamal/ Gamali;  Camel

Ghaffaar/ Ghafoor;  Great Forgiver

Ghaith/ Ghayth;  Rain

Ghali;  Valuable, beloved, expensive

Ghalib;  Victor

Ghanim;  Successful

Ghaniyy;  Self Sufficient

Ghassan;  Ardor, vigor (of youth)

Ghawth/ Ghiyath;  One who helps

Ghazi/ Gazi;  Conqueror

Ghazwan;  One on expedition, conquer



H

Hadi/ Haadi/ Haady;  Guide

Haamid;  Praising God, happy, delighted, content

Haani

Haarith;  an old Arabic name - Plowman

Haaroon;  A Prophets name

Haashim;  Generous, an old Arabic name

Haatim;  Judge

Habbab;  Affable, lovable

Habib;  Beloved

Hadad/ Haddad;  Syrian god of fertility, Smith

Hadi;  Guiding to the right (truth)

Hafiz/ Hafeez;  Preserver, protector

Hakam;  Judge

Hakeem/ Hakim;  Wise, ruler, governor

Haleem;  Forbearing

Halim;  Mild, gentle, patient

Hamad/ Hamed/ Hamid;  short form of Mohammed

Hamal;  Lamb

Hamas;  Enthusiastic

Hamdan;  The praised one; variation of the name Muhammad

Hamdi;  Praise

Hameed;  Praiseworthy

Hamim;  Intimate, close friend

Hamzah;  Lion

Hana;  Arabic form of ‘John’

Hanai;  Happiness

Hanbal;  Purity

Hani;  Happy, delighted, joyful

Hanif;  True believer

Hannad;  Old Arabic name

Haqq;  Truth

Haris;  Guardian, protector

Harith;  Ploughman, cultivator

Haroun/ Harun;  Lofty or exalted

Haseeb;  Reckoner

Hashim;  Broker, destroyer of evil

Hassan/ Hassaan; Beautiful, handsome

Hatim;  Judge

Haydar;  Lion

Haytham;  Young hawk

Hayy;  Alive

Hayyan;  Old Arabic name

Hazim;  Resolute

Hilal/ Hilel;  The new moon

Hilmi;  Gentle, calm

Hisham;  Generosity

Hud/ Houd;  A Prophets name

Hudad;  Name of a pre-Islamic Arabic king

Hudhafah;  Old Arabic name

Humam;  Brave, noble, generous

Husain/ Hussein;  Doer of good deeds;

Husam/ Husaam;  Sword

Huthayfa;  Old Arabic name



I


Ibrahim/ Ibraheem/ Ebrahim;  Father of a multitude; a Prophets name - Abraham

Ibras;  Lamp, light

Id/ Eid;  Feast, festival

Idris/ Idrees;  A Prophets name

Ihsan/ Ihsaan;  Kindness, beneficence; highest level of Iman

Ihtisham;  Modesty, decency

Ikrimah;  Old Arabic name

Ilias;  A Prophets name - Elijah

Imad/ Imaad/ Emad;  Support, pillar

Imam;  Leader of prayer

Imran/ Imran;  Long-lived

Imtiyaz;  Mark of distinction or excellence

Inam;  Act of benefaction, bestowal

Iqbal/ Iqbaal;  Prosperity, good fortune

Irfan/ Erfaan; Thankfulness

Isa/ Esa/ Eisa; Arabic form of ‘Jesus'

Isam/ Issam/ Essam; Safeguard

Ishaq;  A Prophets name - Isaac

Ismail/ Ismaael/ Esmail;  A Prophets name - Ishmael

Iyad/ Eyad;  Pigeon

Iyas/ Eyas;  Consoling

Izz al Din/ Izz Udeen;  Might of the faith



J

Jaabir;  Consoler, Comforter

Jaafar;  Rivulet

Jaam;  Gatherer

Jabalah;  Mountain, hill

Jabbar/ Jabr/ Jaber;  Mighty, brave

Jabber/ Jabir;  Compeller

Jad/ Jaad;  Allah Gift of God

Jafar/ Jaffar/ Jafer;  Rivulet, little creek

Jal;  Resolution, firm will

Jalal;  Glory

Jalil/ Jaleel;  Great, revered

Jamal/ Jameel/ Jamil;  Beauty

Jarir/ Jareer;  Name of a famous Arab poet

Jasim/ Jassim;  Great, big, huge

Jaul;  Choice

Jaun;  Kind of plant

Jawad;  Openhanded, generous

Jawdah;  Heavy rain, benevolent deed

Jawhar;  Jewel, essence

Jibran;  Old Arabic name

Jibril;  Archangel Gabriel

Jihad/ Jehad/ Jehaad;  Struggle, holy war

Jubair/ Jubayr;  Old Arabic name

Jul;  Resolution, firm will

Jumah/ Jumuah;  One who is born on a Friday

Junaid/ Junayd;  Young fighter

Juwain/ Juwayn;  Sibling



K

Kabeer;  Most Great

Kadar/ Kedar/ Kedaar;  Powerful

Kadeen/ Kadin;  Friend, companion, confidant

Kadeer/ Kadir;  Green, freshness and innocence

Kahil;  Friend, lover

Kaliq;  Creative,

Kamal/ Kamil/ Kameel;  Beauty, perfection

Kardal;  Mustard seed

Kareem/ Karam;  Generous, noble, friendly

Karif/ Kareef;  One who is born in autumn

Kaseem/ Kasim;  Divided

Kasib/ Kaseeb;  Fertile

Kateb/ Katib;  Writer, scribe

Kazim Well tempered, cool, patient

Khaafid;  Abaser

Khaaliq;  Creator

Khabeer/ Khabir;  Aware

Khair al Din/ Khair Udeen;  Goodness of the faith

Khairi/ Khairy/ Khayri;  Charitable, beneficent

Khalaf;  Descendent, successor

Khaldun/ Khaldoon;  Old Arabic name

Khalid/ Khaled/ Kalid; Eternal

Khalifah;  Caliph

Khalil/ Khaleel/ Kalil;  Good friend

Khalis;  Pure, clear

Khamis;  Born on a Thursday

Khatib;  Religious Minister

Khoury;  Priest

Khulus;  Clearness, purity

Khuzaimah;  old Arabic name

Kutaiba



L

Labib/ Labeeb;  Sensible, intelligent

Lablab;  Ivy

Latif/ Lateef;  Gentle, pleasant, friendly

Layth;  Lion

Luay/ Loay;  Shield

Lubaid/ Lubayd;  Old Arabic name

Luqman;  A Prophets name

Lutfi/ Lotfi;  Kind, gentle



M

Maahir/ Mahir;  Skilled

Maani;  Withholder

Maawiya/ Muawiyah;  A young dog or fox

Maazin/Mazin/ Mazen;  old Arabic name

Mad;  Old Arabic name

Madani;  Urban, civilized, modern

Mahbub;  Beloved, dear

Mahdi/ Mahdy;  Guided to the right path

Mahfuz;  Safe, protected by God

Mahjub;  Concealed, veiled

Mahmud/ Mahmoud/ Mahmood;  The praised one

Mahrus;  Protected by God

Maimun/ Maymun;  Lucky

Majeed/ Majid/ Majd;  Glorious

Makin;  Strong, firm, well-founded

Malik/ Maliq;  King

Mamdouh/ Mamduh;  Praised, glorified

Mamun/ Mamnoon;  Trustworthy, trusted

Man/ Maan/ Main;  Benefit

Mandhur;  Vowed, consecrated to God

Mansour/ Mansoor/ Mansur;  Divinely aided, victorious

Marghub;  Desirable, coveted

Marid/ Mareed; Rebellious

Maruf/ Maroof;  Well known, good

Marzuq;  Blessed by God, fortunate

Mashhur/ Mashor;  Famous

Masoud/ Masud/ Masood;  Fortunate, happy, lucky

Masrur;  Happy, joyful

Masun;  Well protected, sheltered

Mateen;  One with Power

Maysarah;  Of comfort, ease

Mazhar;  Appearance

Mazin;  Old Arabic name

Mihran;  One of the Prophet’s compainons

Mihyar;  Name of a famous poet

Mikail;  Name of an Angel (Michael)

Miqdad;  Name of a Sahabi

Misbah/ Misbaah/ Misbeh;  Lamp

Mishal/ Meshal/ Mashal;  Torch, light

Miyaz;  Distinguished, preferred

Mohammed

Muadh/ Muaath;  Protected

Muakhkhir;  Delayer

Muayyad/ Muayid;  Supported by God

Mubarak/ Mobarak/ Mubarek;  Happy, blessed

Mubdi;  Creator

Mubin;  Clear, evident

Mudar;  An Arabian tribe

Muddaththir/ Munthdur;  Covered

Mueed;  Reproducer

Mufid/ Mufeed;  Useful, helpful

Muflih;  Successful

Mughni;  Enriches

Muhab/ Mohab/ Muhaab/ Mohaab;  Dignified

Muhaimin;  Protector

Muhair/ Muhayr/ Muhayer;  Skilled

Muhammad/ Mohammed/ Mohamed/ Muhamed;  Praised, praiseworthy; the name of the Prophet

Muhanna;  Happy, delighted

Muhannad/ Muhanned;  Sword

Muhib/ Muhibb;  Noble, respected, loving

Muhsee/ Mohsee;  Counter, Reckoner

Muhsin/ Moosin;  Beneficent, charitable

Muhtadi/ Muhtady;  Rightly guided

Muhyi;  Giver of Life

Muhyi al Din;  Reviver of the faith

Muin;  Supporter, helper

Muiz;  Honour

Muizz;  Comforter

Mujab;  Prayers were answered

Mujahid/ Mujaahid;  Fighter

Mujeeb;  Responsive

Mukarram;  Honored

Mukhlis;  Faithful, sincere

Mukhtar/ Mukhtaar;  Chosen

Mulhim/ Mulham;  Inspiring

Mumin;  Believer, Guardian of Faith

Mummar;  Given or granted long life

Mumtaz;  Excellent

Munahid;  Strong

Mundhir;  Warner, cautioner

Munib;  Repentant

Munif;  Exalted, excellent

Munir/ Muneer;  Brilliant, shining

Munis;  Pleasant companion

Munjid;  Helper

Munsif;  Just, right

Muntasir;  Victorious

Munthir;  Cautioner

Muqaddim;  Expediter, Promoter

Muqeet;  Guardian, sustainer

Muqsit;  Just in judgment

Muqtadir;  Powerful, dominant

Murad/ Morad;  Wanted, desired

Murshid;  Guide

Murtada/ Murtadi;  Satisfied, contented, pleased

Musa/ Moosa;  A Prophet's name - Moses in English

Musab;  Old Arabic name

Musad/ Musaad;  Unfettered camel;  favored by fortune, lucky

Musaid;  Helper, supporter

Musawwir;  Fashioner

Mushtaq;  Longing, yearning

Muslih;  Conciliator, reformer

Muslim/ Moslim;  Submitting oneself to God

Mustafa;  Chosen; one of the Prophet's names

Mutaa/ Muta;  Obeyed

Mutaali;  Most Exalted

Mutakabbir;  Majestic

Mutasim;  Adhering to the faith in God

Mutawalli;  Entrusted

Mutazz/ Motaz;  Proud, honorable

Muthanna;  Old Arabic name

Muthil;  Dishonored, Humiliate

Muti/ Mutee;  Obedient

Muwaffaq;  Successful

Muyassar;  Fortunate, facilitated

Muzaffar;  Victorious

Muzzammil;  One who is wrapped up



N

Naail;  Acquirer, Earner

Naajy;  Safe

Naasih;  Advisor

Naathim;  Arranger, Adjuster

Nabighah;  Intelligent

Nabih;  Smart

Nabil/ Nabeel/ Nabeeh/ Nabhan;  Noble

Nader

Nadhir;  Warner

Nadim/ Nadeem;  Friendly, entertaining

Nadir/ Naadir;  Dear, rare, precious

Nafi;  Useful, Propitious

Nahid;  Generosity

Nail/ Naeem;  Acquirer, tranquility

Naji/ Naje;  Safe, survivor

Najib/ Najeeb;  Of noble descent

Najid;  Lion, brave

Najjar;  Carpenter

Najm al Din;  Star of the faith

Naman;  Old Arabic name,  name of the first Roman to embrace Islam

Namir/ Nameer;  Good, pure, dear

Nashah/ Nashat;  Growing up, youth

Nashwan;  Exultant, elated

Nasib;  Noble, relative

Nasih;  Advisor, counselor

Nasim/ Naseem;  Fresh air

Nasir;  Protector, helper, supporter

Nasr/ Nasser/ Nasri;  Victory

Nasuh;  Sincere, faithful

Natheer/ Nathir;  Warner

Nawaf/ Nawwaf;  High, lofty

Nawfal;  Generous

Nayif/ Naif;  Excellent; surplus, abundance

Nazih/ Nazeeh;  Pure, chaste

Nazim/ Nazeem;  Arranger, adjuster

Nidal/ Nedal;  Struggle

Nijad;  Tall, dominant

Nimr/ Numair;  Tiger

Nizar;  Old Arabic name

Noor/ Nuh/ Nooh;  Light, the one who guides

Noori/ Nuri;  Shining, brightness

Nuaim/ Nuaym;  Name of several of the Prophet's companions

Nuhaid/ Nuhayd;  Big

Numan;  Blood, red, Old Arabic name

Nusrah/ Nusrat;  Help, support



O

Omar;  Long life, first son

Omran;  Solid structure, most praised; variation of the name Muhammad

Ossama/ Osama/ Usama/ Usamah;  A lion



Q

Qaabid;  Constrictor, Withholder

Qaadir;  Able, Capable

Qahhaar;  Subdue, Dominant

Qasim/ Qaasim;  Divider, distributor

Qatadah;  A hardwood tree

Qawiyy/ Qays/ Qawyis;  Strong, oasis, firm

Qayyoom;  Self-Subsisting

Qudamah;  Courageous

Quddoos;  Holy

Qusay;  Old Arabic name

Qutaybah; Qutaibah;  Irritable, impatient

Qutb;  Leader

Qutuz



R

Raafi/ Rafe;  Exalter, Elevator

Raakin;  Respectful

Raamiz/ Ramez;  Symbol

Raatib;  Arranger

Rabah;  Winner

Rabi/ Rabee;  Spring, breeze

Radi;  Satisfied, content

Radwan/ Ridhwan/ Ridwan;  Satisfaction; name of the keeper of the gates of Heaven

Raed;  Leader, kind friend

Rafi/ Rafee;  Exalting

Rafid;  Support

Rafiq/ Rafeeq;  Kind, friend

Raghib/ Ragheb;  Desirous, willing

Raghid;  Pleasant

Raheem/ Rahim;  Merciful,

Rahmaan;  Compassionate, Beneficent

Raid;  Leader

Raif/ Rauf/ Raouf;  gentle, Compassionate

Rais;  Captain

Raja/ Rajah;  Hope

Rajab;  7th month of the calendar

Raji;  Hoping, full of hope

Rajih;  Upper hand, more acceptable

Rakin;  Respectful, firm, confident

Ramadan;  9th month of the calendar

Rami/ Ramee;  Marksman

Ramih;  Brightest star in the constelation Bootes

Ramiz;  Honored, respected

Ramzi/ Ramze;  Symbolic

Rani;  To gaze

Ranin

Raqeeb;  Watcher

Rashad;  maturity, wisdom

Rashid/ Rasheed;  Having the true Faith

Rasil;  Messenger

Rasin;  Composed

Rasmi;  Formal, official

Rasul/ Rasool;  Messenger

Ratib;  Regular, arranger

Rayyan/ Royyan;  One of the gates of paradise

Razin;  Composed, subtle

Razzaaq/ Razak/ Razaq;  Sustainer, Provider

Reda/ Rida/ Ridha;  Contentment, satisfaction

Rihab;  Vastness

Riyad/ Riyadh/ Rhyadh;  Gardens

Rizq;  Subsistence, blessing of God

Ruhi;  Spiritual

Rushd/ Rushdi;  Maturity, wisdom

Ruwaid/ Ruwayd; Walking gently



S

Saabir;  Patient

Saad;  Good luck

Saadah;  Happiness

Saahir;  Wakeful

Saajid;  One who worships God

Saalih/ Saaleh; Good, Righteous

Saariyah;  Clouds at night

Sab;  Lion

Sabih/ Sabeeh;  Beautiful, pleasant, fond

Sabir/ Sabeer/ Saboor/ Sabri;  Patient, persevering

Sad;  Good luck

Sadad/ Sadid;  Right thing to do, lucky hand

Sadiq; Sincere, truthful

Saeed/ Said/ Sadun;  Happy

Safi;  Pure, clear

Safiy;  Best friend

Safuh;  Forgiving

Safwah/ Safwat;  The best, the chosen

Safwan;  Rock, solid, pure

Sahib;  Companion

Sahir;  Wakeful

Sahl/ Sahal;  Easy to deal with

Saib;  Appropriate, correct

Said;  Happy

Saif/ Sayf/ Seif;  Sword

Sajjad/ Sajid/ Sajiid;  One who worships a lot

Sakhr;  Rock

Salaam;  Source of Peace

Salah/ Saleh/ Salih;  Good, right; a Prophet's name

Salim/ Saleem;  Safe, healthy, whole,

Salman;  Healthy, safe, wholesome

Samad;  Eternal, independent

Samee;  All hearing

Sami;  High, lofty, elevated

Samih/ Sameh;  Forgiver

Samir/ Sameer;  Entertaining companion

Samman;  Grocer

Saqr;  Falcon

Sariyah;  Clouds at night

Sati;  Shining, bright

Saud/ Suud/ Suoud;  Fortunate

Sayyid/ Sayed;  Master

Shaady/ Shadi;  Singer, enchanter

Shaban;  8th month of the Arabic calendar

Shadin;  Young deer

Shafi/ Shaafi/ Shafee;  Mediator

Shafiq/ Shafeeq;  Kind, compassionate, tender

Shaheed/ Shahid;  Witness

Shahin;  Hawk

Shahir;  Well-known, famous

Shakib;  Present, gift, reward

Shakir;  Thankful

Shakoor;  Grateful, appreciative

Shamal;  Wind from the north

Shamil/ Shamel;  All, comprehensive

Shamim;  Fragrant

Shams al Din;  Sun of the faith

Sharif/ Shareef/ Sharaf;  Honest, noble, distinguished

Shawqi;  Affectionate

Shihab;  Flame, blaze Star of the Faith

Shihad;  Honey

Shuaib/ Shuayb;  A Prophet's name

Shukri;  Thankfulness

Shumayl;  Complete

Siddiq;  Truthful, upright

Sinan/ Senan; Spearhead

Siraj/ Siraaj/ Suraj;  Lighted torch

Sofian;  Devoted

Subhi/ Subhy;  Early morning

Sufyan;  Old Arabic name

Suhaib/ Suhayb;  Red hair or complexion

Suhail/ Suhayl;  Gentle, the name of a star

Suhaim/ Suhaym;  Arrow

Sulaiman/ Sulayman;  A Prophet's name - Solomon in English

Sultan/ Sultan;  King

Sumrah;  Brownness

Suraqah;  Name of a companion of the Prophet



T

Tahir/ Taheer;  Pure, clean, chaste, modest

Tahsin;  Beautification

Taim;  Allah Servant of God

Taj;  Crown

Talal;  Nice, admirable

Talha;  Type of tree

Talib;  Seeker of truth

Tamam;  Generous

Tamim;  Strong, complete

Tamir/ Taamir;  Rich; owns palm trees

Tammam;  Perfection, strength

Taqiy;  Devout, God fearing

Tarfah;  Type of tree

Tarif/ Tareef;  Rare, uncommon

Tariq;  Name of a star

Taslim;  Submission

Tawfiq/ Towfeeq;  Success, reconciliation

Tawhid/ Tawwaab;  Believing in one God

Taymullah;  Servant of God

Taysir/ Tayseer;  Facilitation

Tayyib;  Good or delicate

Thabit/ Thaabit;  Firm

Thamer/ Thamir;  Fruitful, productive

Thaqib;  Shooting star

Thawab;  Reward

Thawban;  Name of a companion of the Prophet



U


Ubayy;  Old Arabic name, one with high self-esteem

Udail/ Udayl;  Old Arabic name

Uday;  One who runs fast

Umar/ Omar;  Name of the second Caliph

Umarah;  Old Arabic name

Umayr/ Umair;  Old Arabic name

Umayyah; Arab tribe

Uqbah;  The end of everything

Urwah;  Support, handle

Usaim/ Usaym;  lion cub

Utbah;  old Arabic name

Utha; l Name of a mountain

Uthman;  Name of the third Caliph



W



Waahid;  Unique

Waail/ Wail/ Wael [wah-eel];  Coming back for Shelter

Waajid;  Perceiver, finder, rich

Waarith;  Inheritor, heir

Waddah;  Bright, brilliant

Wadi/ Wadee;  Calm, peaceful

Wadid;  Favorable, devoted, fond

Wafiq/ Wafeeq;  Successful

Wahab/ Wahhaab;  Giving

Wahid;  Singular, exclusive

Wajdi;  Of strong emotion,

Wajid/ Wajed;  Smooth land

Wajih/ Waji/ Wajeeh;  Noble, notable, distinguished

Wakeel;  Trustee

Wakil/ Wakel;  Lawyer

Walee;  Governor

Walid/ Waleed;  Newborn male child

Walif;  Befriending

Waliy;  Supporter of the faith

Waqar;  Dignity, sobriety

Waqqas;  old Arabic name

Wasi;  Knowledgeable

Wasif;  Describer

Wasil;  Considerate, inseparable friend

Wasim/ Waseem;  Graceful, good looking

Wazir/ Wazeer;  Minister



Y

Yahya/ Yehya/ Yahyaa;  A Prophets name (John)

Yaman;  Good tidings, proper name

Yaqoob/ Yaqub;  A Prophets name (Jacob)

Yasin/ Yaseen/ Yaaseen;  One of Prophet Muhammad’s names

Yasir/ Yasser;  Wealth, comfort, ease

Yazan;  Old Arabic name

Yazid/ Yazeed;  Increase, grow, enhance

Younis/ Yoonus;  A Prophets name (Jonah in the Bible)

Yousif/ Yusef/ Yusuf;  increase in power; a Prophets name - Joseph

Yushua;  God saves

Yusri;  Wealthy



Z



Zaahid;  Abstemious, Ascetic

Zafar/ Zafir;  Victory

Zahid; Self denying, ascetic

Zahir/ Zaahir;  Bright, shining, flowery

Zaid/ Zayd;  Increase, growth, abundance

Zaim;  Brigadier General

Zain/ Zayn;  Beauty

Zakariyya/ Zakariya;  A Prophets name

Zaki/ Zaky;  Pure

Zakwan;  Intuitive

Zarif;  Nice, graceful, humorous

Ziad/ Ziyad/ Zeeyad;  abundance

Zubair/ Zubayr;  Strong, powerful, smart

Zuhair/ Zuhayr;  Bright, having flowers

Shake your Tail Feathers

Really this has to be just about the funniest thing I've ever seen.

First the parrot dances to an Egyptian song and then it dances to the Blues Brothers.  Is this a cross-cultural bird I wonder?  Not sure which is the original YouTube video, or which one you'll prefer, but get ready to belly laugh ... really, really laugh

All I've got is a Photograph ...

I love these old 1960's photos of Bahrain for various reasons, but mostly because of that washed out look and because they seem to hark back to a time with no instant communication ~oh dear I must be getting old~

Unfortunately I've no idea where they come from just, Abdul1  (if anyone does know, please send me the details)








In '61 it did look like this.  I can remember water in Qasari in 1986, but unfortunately as the water levels dropped it disapeared.  This natural pond no longer exists, it's simply a hole in the ground.  Husband remembers diving into, with his friends, it as a boy.




This can still be seen ... perhaps not that particular lady on the left, but mattresses on heads in the suq, yes.









The Portugese fort is now restored and a ~dah dah~ UNESCO world heritage site.  One of my favorite spots for relaxing, it has fabulous chocolate cakes and pretty shitty coffee in the museum coffee shop.  I reckon there must be an undiscovered underground temple somewhere around the fort, it feels so calm and quite spirtual.




Just LOOK at those buses!!




Most days on my way to work I see the donkeys and carts running along the back streets.

So you Want to Speak Arabic Like a Native?

Sent to me by a Saudi male friend who thought it hillarious, one American's thoughts on some often used Arabic phrases.  There's some swearing in one or two of the sketches and some cross-cultural teasing in others ...

Freej

Freej [free-jh] (neighbourhood in Arabic) is an Arabic cartoon full of wonderfully silly stuff from Dubai in the UAE.

There are four main female characters; Um Saeed [umm say-yeed], Um Saloom [umm sa-loon], Um Alawi [umm al-a-wee] and Um Khamas [umm kha-mass] who always seem to have an adventure of some kind or the other.  For an explanation of the Um part of the names see {wgaw blog archive: understanding names }

I'm wondering if Freej is a strange kind of Arabic cartoon version of 'Sex in the City'?



Um Saeed


The eldest member of the group and the wisest. Loves to recite poetry and old traditional sayings. Short, very sarcastic and addicted to coffee {see wgaw blog archive: coffee}   Is this Carrie?



Um Saloom


A bit ditsy, kind to others and follows the crowd.  Is this Charlotte?



Um Allawi

Um Allawi is the most educated, but is addicted to all kinds of electronic gadgets.  Has a mobile phone and laptop to follow the stock market.  Is this Miranda?



Um Khammas

My personal favourite is Um Khammas.  She's been widowed three times and has a very strong personality, a bit like Janet Street-Porter really.  She's the most rebellious member of the group and runs her own catering service as well as having a traditional music band.  Is this Samantha?


Here they are in a 5 minute cartoon:

How to Read & Write Arabic 20: Qaaf

Welcome back to 'How to Read and Write Arabic'.  The previous post was written a while ago, before Ramadan in fact, and today we'll continue with the next letter of the alphabet: Qaaf


Speaking Qaaf

The sound of Qaaf has no equivalent in English, so to pronounce it you need to make a sound which comes from deep in the back of your throat. A sort of cross between the English letter, ‘q’ and the English letter, ‘k’.

To make the sound, move your tongue to the back of your throat as if you are trying to block your windpipe and say the sound 'aaagh' in a forceful way. Now add a 'q' to the front of 'aaagh' and make the sound 'Qaaf'. To make sure you have the correct sound try and find an Arabic friend to check your pronunciation.


Daniel McLaughlin in his Bradt guide to Yemen says,

“The letter qaaf is one of the landmarks of Arabic, in part due to its place in the world ‘Qur’an and in part due to the baffling reaction it presents in transliteration (how can there be a ‘q’ without a ‘u’ ~as in Qatar?~).

One author noted that writing using the 'q’ sans ‘u’ in transliterations made Arabic to reek of savagery. Moreover, English speakers simply didn’t know how to pronounce it. In classical Arabic, the qaaf was pronounced like a ‘k’ sound back in the throat, similar to the sound you would make when imitating a crow.

Making the sound takes some effort and a story relates that during the Sana’ani-Ta’izi war in Yemen the Iman of Sana’a would point to a cow [baqqarah] and ask those entering the city to tell him what it was. The Sann’anis would say ‘baggarah’ and were admitted entrance, whilst the Ta’izis gave themselves up by saying ‘bagharah’ were sent to the gallows.”


Writing Qaaf

The differences are small between Qaaf and faa.  They are both the same shape, but whereas faa has one dot on top, Qaaf has two dots on top. Also with Qaaf its tail goes below the line when writing the independent and final versions of the letter, like so:

independent

















initial




medial

















final



NB. for a full explanation of why there are four versions of the letter Qaaf, click here
NB2. the pink colour indicates a connection with another letter, either before or after Qaaf.


Now see if you can find the letter Qaaf in the images below:


Independent

Initial

Medial


I love this sign:

Final

What's Next?
The next article in this Thursday series will look at a letter which sounds a lot closer to an English sound: kaaf.  I look forward to you joining two weeks from now.

Crazy, Funny Arab Boys

It feels like time for something very silly:

Scorpions

I found one of these little critters in my bath yesterday:

Image taken from: www.kabbalahzen.blogspot.com



Whilst I was having a shower I looked down and saw him, or maybe her, happily sitting by the plug hole.  I had no idea what it was and could only imagine it was a large eary-wig.  So we stood looking at each other for a long minute and then it dawned on me it might ~excitingly~ be a real live scorpion.

I was all fingers and thumbs and simply wanted to move it back down the plug hole.  As I moved the shower head over its head the tail came up, just like in the movies, and it stung its neck ~quite amazing stuff~

So I'm naked in the shower thinking how wonderful nature is and husband is running around the house looking for a murder weapon shouting, "DON'T TOUCH IT, IT WILL KILL YOU.  DOOOO NOOOT TOOOUCH  ITTTTTTTT"


Overview
Because I know so little about scorpions or their lifestyle I'll let the Sharjah Breeding Centre describe a bit more:

"Arabian thick-tailed scorpion, also known as 'Androctonus Crassicauda' is commonly found in sandy desert areas with some plant cover. It is one of the larger species of scorpion with an adult measuring 10-15 cm in length (from the head to the tip of the tail).

One characteristic of this scorpion is the tail being thicker than the pincers. This is also an indication that a scorpion has a more toxic venom than species where the tail is proportionately thinner than the pincers (Scorpionidae). The scorpion's venom, although seldom fatal, can be very painful and requires medical attention.

The species is nocturnal and emerges from its burrow at dusk to hunt for food. They are attracted to light and areas with higher humidity. When threatened, the tail with the sting presented will be held above the abdomen, but the scorpion will only strike if agitated as the production of venom takes a lot of energy. The scorpion will generally take flight if disturbed and will only attack if provoked.

It goes without saying, all bites and stings should be treated as soon as possible, and where necessary, medical attention must be sought. If possible, the animal that has inflicted the bite or sting should be collected for identification purposes."


By the way ...
In Arabic, the word scorpion [agg-rraab] is used as an insult {see wgaw insults} and means 'a tricky person who plays games behind my back.'

Images of Women

Today's post is posted simply because I like this picture:

Image taken from:  2.bp's blogspot

Rachid al Majid

My husband's four year old neice loves 'Rachid al Majid' and will announce he's about to sing, as soon as the first note of any one of his songs are sounded on MTV.

The product of a Bahraini/Saudi marriage, RaM is one of those artists who is always played at Arabic weddings and Henna nights; I defy anyone with a sense of rhythm not to dance to these YouTube videos, love 'em to bits.

The Shoe Matrix

I had wanted to fill the month of Ramadan with blog posts only about Ramadan and Ramadan activities.  It seemed to be one way of explaining the length of time people fast for, as well attempting to highlight the importance of the month within the Arab and Islamic world.

Now it's over it feels like time to post a few of the more light-hearted blogposts recieved during the past month. First up is George Bush in the new matrix shoe movie:

For a full explanation of what shoe throwing means in the Arab world see wgaw archive: shoe throwing

Eid al Fitr & Eid Mubrak

Eid al Fitr [‘eed ul fit-terr] is the name of the holiday which follows the month of fasting during Ramadan; the first day for a month where you can eat and drink during daylight hours. It's also the first day of the 10th lunar month of the Arabic calendar.

The word 'Eid' means happiness/ festivity whilst F’tr means 'to break'. For me Eid at F’tr is unique among festivals world wide, I can't think of another one which appears to be purely about personal achievement. It's also a time to be with the family.

Arabs will greet each other with the words Eid Mubarak [‘eed moo-ba-rrak] or, 'holiday congratulations'.

In Saudi Arabia a nine day national holiday always occurs at Eid al f’tr, which translates into two weeks off work.  In the rest of the Gulf, three days is the norm.

Ramadan day 29 - Laylat Jaiza

Laylat Jizra/ Lailatul Jaiza [lay-lat jiz-rra] or the 'Night before Eid' is known in English as the 'Night of Reward'. 

The following example of writing, which explains the meaning of this particular night, has been endlessly copied throughout the blogging world and the websphere.  I'm doing the same for this particular post; copy and paste but have removed some parts with the aim of making it easier to understand for non-Muslims:


“It had been the practice of the Prophet that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid-ul-fitr. This night has been named as the Night of Reward. Almighty bestows his rewards on those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Shari'ah, and all their prayers in this night are accepted.

The Prophet is reported to have said:
Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)


To benefit from this opportunity one should perform as much worship in this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires."