A Lesson in Arabic: Part 1

Ahlan.

A lot of people ask me to explain how the Arabic language works.  If friends have these questions, I'm sure other people do too.

Today I'm going to begin teaching you the alphabet and some basics.  Later I will teach you useful words and phrases.

Alphabet - Click on for bigger picture.

Above is the Arabic alphabet with the pronunciation of each letter's name.

Some basics you need to realize are:

1. Arabic is read right to left. Numbers are written left to right.
2. There are many sounds in Arabic that we don't have in English and vice versa.  For example, there is no 'p' or 'v' sound in Arabic, so 'b' and 'f' are frequently used replacements when putting an English word/name into Arabic.  
3. There are quite a few Arabic letters that sound the same, but are very different.  These include س / ص, ط / ت, د / ض, ك / ق.
4. There are long vowels and short vowels.  The long vowels are ا, و, ي.  They make the sounds for a long 'e', 'o', and 'a' (respectively).  The letters ي & و double as consonants as well.  Short vowels are damma - ُ , kasra - ِ, and fatha - َ.  They make the sounds for a short 'o', 'e',  and 'a' (also respectively.)
5. There is also a letter called hamza (ء).  This letter signifies a glottal stop.  An example of this would be the sound the vowels make when you say the word 'water' without the 't' - wa'er.
6. A final basic to cover is taa marbuta (ة).  This comes at the ends of words. It is pronounced at 'aht', but many times the 't' sound is dropped.  The 't' is pronounced when it is in a possessive case.  Commonly the taa marbuta signifies feminine forms of words.

Arabic is written similar to how we would write cursive.  Many letters have what is called an initial, medial, and final position.  Some letters also do not have a medial position and cannot connect to letters that come after it.

Positions of each letter - Click on for bigger picture

It is a lot to take in at once.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  If it helps, you can also check out this video.

Challenge: Watch this video and try to learn the alphabet that way.  When I started learning Arabic, my professor had us try to sing along with this Arabic equivalent to Sesame Street.  See if you can do the same.

For the record.

Ahlan sadeeki. Hello my friend.

Happy April!

First, I thank you. I'd like you to know that I love that you're reading the blog! If there is absolutely anything you'd like to see or talk about then leave a comment or email me - I am open to anything, so don't be shy.

In the past week, I have received so many responses about my picture against discrimination.  Not only was it liked, commented on, and shared on Facebook but I also had a lot of people talking to me about it in person.  My Arabic professor actually told his students and the chair of the world languages department about the photo.  When he saw me, he continued to express his appreciation.  Who knew that something I was actually hesitant about posting would get so much of a positive response! Moral of the story: don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

One last story to leave you with, a couple weeks ago I was at work when this man came in with who I believe was his son.  I've seen the man before around campus and he has helped me with Arabic before, other than that I really haven't talked to him.  He brought his son up to me and introduced him and the boy greeted me in Arabic. After that, I had a small conversation with the man and his son and the boy showed me his reading skills in Arabic.  It is a simple story, but it definitely made my day.  Being able to communicate with people in Erie in Arabic is not something that happens frequently.  I appreciate every chance I get.

Next time I post I will be issuing you a challenge - I hope you're up for it!

We are all Shaima Alawadi

I am a staff writer and editor-in-training for my university's newspaper, The Merciad.

I wanted to share a compelling opinion article from our most recent issue.  It is titled We are all Shaima Alawadi. It does not simply discuss the events in California, but also confronts the pressing issues in regards to Muslims and America.

Personally, I don't think I could have worded the article better myself.

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We are all Shaima Alawadi
By Zainab Javed

Shaima Alawadi was murdered this past week.

The mother of five was brutally beaten with a tire-iron until unconscious, her brain swelling irreversibly. Her 17-year-old daughter discovered her mother near death with a note saying “go back to your country, you terrorist” next to her body.

Her murder hits close to home. When I think of it, I shudder. It could just as easily been my mother or aunt.

They too wear a hijab, a religious head covering, which seems to have become synonymous with “threat” in our society.

This was not an isolated incident.

The harassment and hate crimes against Muslim Americans have been on the rise in a post-9/11 world. What perpetuates this hatred and distrust of Muslim Americans? Why has a wave of Islamophobia swept the country?

The answer is that the rhetoric in the mainstream forces around us varying from media to politicians paints Muslims as foreign threats to domestic security.

Today we are escorted off airplanes because someone feels like we are “suspicious.” The NYPD spies on our communities by sending undercover cops into our mosques and businesses. They were even caught systematically spying on Muslim students on Yale, Rutgers and other college campuses even though these students were not accused of any wrongdoing; students just like you or me.

You can’t blatantly violate civil rights under the context of counter terrorism. When you single out Muslims, you create a narrative where we are the enemy. It builds a state of fear and paranoia, which then descends to the average citizen who is fed stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists.

Islam is not inherently linked with terrorism.

Juan Williams, formerly of NPR, once said, “If I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”

Tell me, Williams, what is Muslim garb? There are over a billion of us. We transcend across hundreds of cultures. So what exactly does Muslim garb look like? And more importantly, if we wear Muslim “garb,” are we deserving of harassment and death? Did Alawadi deserve to die because of her hijab? No.

Many people seem to forget a very important aspect of the term “Muslim American”—we may be Muslims, but we are also Americans. We are your neighbors, your classmates and your coworkers. We pay our taxes, abide by the laws and participate in our local communities. We love America because it is our home.

I am an immigrant. I moved to the United States when I was three. I could recite the Pledge of Allegiance before I ever learned Pakistan’s national anthem; I even know the Star Spangled Banner in three-part harmony. What I’m trying to say is, I love America and, I’m tired of having to defend my loyalty to this country. This country is my country. No one can tell me to go home when this is my home.

Fareed Zakeria said, “I am an American, not by accident of birth but by choice. I voted with my feet and became an American because I love this country and think it is exceptional.”

In memory of Alawadi and in solidarity with the countless victims of religiously-charged hate crimes, I will be wearing a hijab for the week of March 26-31. If you see me, stop me and ask me some questions about Islam.

Take some time to get to know a Muslim.

The Sisters of Mercy have supported building “genuine trust and understanding between faith traditions in these times of growing political posturing, fear, suspicion and dangerous stereotyping.” Isn’t it time we do the same?

Let’s promote knowledge because this country cannot afford to fall victim to fear and ignorance.

We’re all Americans. We’re in this together, sink or swim. An attack on one American is an attack on all Americans. Alawadi was an American.

Today, we are all Alawadi.

In the News: Muslim Mother Beaten to Death

I came across this headline today:
Iraqi woman beaten in Calif. dies; threat note left at scene

Hate crimes, discrimination, prejudice...they are never acceptable. This should not happen.

If you would like to show your support for those who are victims of those types of behavior, I invite you to take part in International Scarves in Solidarity 2012.

Update: I did my own Facebook stand for this already. I would love to see how many other people will stand up and show the world that they will not accept all of the hate and discrimination. There is too much lately and it needs to stop.

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." -Desmond Tutu

Here's to Henna, the Souq, and New Friends

Maggie mixing up her Henna hair dye.

I'm not sure how Friday fell into place.  It wasn't supposed to be "Middle Eastern night," it just kind of happened.

Let me start with a little background. My friend Maggie and I took Spanish together in high school and then after we graduated we lost touch for a little bit. Then over the summer, we got back in touch and find out we are both studying Arabic and the Middle East.

Thus starts our Middle Eastern night.

Part 1. Dinner.

The adventure started in a simple manner at Casablanca Grill, a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant in Erie.  Here we filled ourselves with dolma, couscous, and other delicious foods . . .when my shoe broke.
The one man who works there came to my rescue and repaired in a way that it is actually better than before.   Thanking him in Arabic spurred a surprised look and a conversation.  He asked us about what we studied and suggested places Maggie should visit when she goes to Jordan this summer.

A side note. I mayyyyy have taken the bottle of Laziza, a Lebanese drink, that I had for my beverage. It had Arabic on it and I was very excited. I feel like the employees at the restaurant probably think I'm a little crazy.

After dinner, and a short game of volleyball at the beach, we were off to the mall so we could find clothing for Maggie to wear in Jordan.

Part 2. A shout out to new friends.

In the mall, we passed a rather large group of women our age wearing hijabs.  We joked about asking them what Maggie should wear...little did we know...

I was standing outside of Maggie's dressing room as two of the girls walked in.

After much debate about what Maggie should wear, I took the plunge.

"Hi, could you help us really quick," I said to one of the girls. "My friend is going to Jordan this summer and she doesn't know what to wear."

She was eager to help us, along with all of her friends who were within ear shot.

Maggie's hair as we let the dye sit.

They continued talking about what we study and told me I could pass as Arab. (I'm not sure I see it, but they would know best, right?)

Part 3. Al-Souq (Market), Henna and Hair Dye
Maggie and I then went to Sara's Market to get some henna and ended up leaving with henna hair dye as well.

Back at my apartment, we started by dying Maggie's hair of course!  Which may have been the biggest adventure of the night.

My lovely, green-splattered bathtub.

After mixing the powder (which smells like tea) with vinegar and water, letting the mixture sit, and wetting Maggie's hair we were ready to get dying.

I'd like to issue a disclaimer that we had no idea what we were doing. We debated whether we did this right, since it looked like the swamp thing attacked Maggie. But we continued on our mission to dye her hair.

I sat over her, who was all but sitting in the bathtub, working this gritty mixture in from the roots to the tips of her hair.

While the dye was soaking into her hair we decided to see how well we did at decorating our feet with henna.

Maggie decorating my foot.

This was our first time doing this as well.  We did look up some designs on this website, but for the most part we stuck to swirls, dots, and practicing our Arabic.

For beginners, I think we did pretty good...

My designs on Maggie's foot.

So there you have it, our Middle Eastern adventure. Full of some great first time experiences.

In case you were wondering, we ended up leaving the hair dye on for about an hour instead of the recommended three. Her hair is definitely darker, and we are still debating whether it has a greenish tint to it or not.

Also, if you have any suggestions that could possibly improve our henna skills, I would love to hear them!

حب و سلام
Love and peace.

For your viewing pleasure...

This is the Official Coca-cola World Cup song by K'naan. He collaborated with many artists and put the song in different languages. I got my roommate addicted to the Arabic version. Enjoy!

The Zeitoun Foundation

I wanted follow-up my last post with this organization.

If you find the story interesting, or even the injustices that went along with it, you may be interested in The Zeitoun Foundation.

As stated on its website:
"[The Zeitoun Foundation] is dedicated to the continued rebuilding and social advancement of New Orleans and to promote understanding between people of disparate faiths around the world, with a concentration on relations between America and the Muslim world."

Check it out!