The word is derived from the action of mark making in various ways
The word is derived from the action of mark making in various ways
The word is derived from the action of mark making in various ways
The word is derived from the action of mark making in various ways

‘Rasem’: The Arabic word for drawing can mean a sketch - or a fee


Maan Jalal
  • English
  • Arabic

Any artist will tell you that drawing is the foundation of the work they do. But this also depends on the definition of drawing.

Renowned French artist Edgar Degas, considered one of the pioneering figures of the impressionist movement, was reported to have said that “drawing is the artist's most direct and spontaneous expression, a species of writing: it reveals, better than does painting, his true personality”.

His words could be used to explain how this week's Arabic Word of the Week is defined and used within and outside the art world.

Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters – Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it is also a malleable word with a definition that can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.

Most commonly, rasem is a noun within the field of education and the arts. Rasem refers to a finished object of mark-making, either a detailed drawing or a loose sketch created by a person. This drawing can be a figurative illustration of a person, thing or scene created by a pencil or brush.

Within this context, rasem specifically means work by someone who has a creative talent or is training in that talent. It does not refer to the work of someone who is not creatively gifted. A doodle by a non-creative person would not be considered a rasem. This definition is the most common in colloquial Arabic dialects.

There are various types of rasem within the context of the arts. Rasem al ousbaee, which translates to “drawing of fingers”, is a technique used to draw without a pencil or brush but using fingers or a hand. Rasem al soutee, which translates to “drawing of sounds”, is the creative use of someone’s voice for performance purposes. For example, singing, the reciting of poetry or imitation of sounds or voices.

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Rasem al mayeee, which translates to “water drawing”, refers to creating work through the medium of water colour, while rasem al manthouri refers to creating a 3D drawing on a 2D medium to give the impression of hyper realism or an optical illusion.

There are also rasem al mechaniny, which are the drawings or plans for engineering or architectural structures; rasem hazali which refers to the art of caricature drawings; and rousom moutaharika, which are animated drawings.

Rasem has other meanings too. While not so commonly used colloquially, these hold value in classical Arabic and in official spaces. Rasem can refer to the fees from a government for services it provides to the public. For example, in Dubai, the electronic toll road system Salik is a fee motorists are expected to pay when their vehicles pass through a toll gate.

Within the context of money, rasem is also the tip one pays a service professional such as a waiter.

The ideas of mark-making within some kind of parameter and within set guidelines is a concept within rasem which connects not only to its root word but other words associated with it – even if they have different meanings.

Rasem is derived from the word rasama, which means to mark something. This verb refers to the act of either drawing a line or a shape to represent what exists in the real world or what can be conjured from the imagination.

In classical Arabic, it can be used in specific contexts to describe the act of writing in a book. It can also mean to plan or design something in one’s mind or to write a plan of action. A similar concept and phrase exists in English – “to draw out a plan”.

Rasama can also refer to other traces of mark-making, but in the natural world. For example, when there are tracs of rain after a storm, such as rain drops on a window or footprints of an animal on the ground. These are considered the drawings of nature.

Rasem also lends itself to other concepts connected to the drawing of ideas but not referring to physical sketches. For example, the word rasmeeyat, derived from rasem, refers to a set of formal protocols or etiquette that must be adhered to at a social occasion like a party, funeral or wedding.

There is also the verb irtasama, which could be translated to the concept of the light bulb moment. It refers to the action of or the moment when things become clear in one’s mind after much deliberation.

In this instance, the connection is that the truth is exposed to someone in the same way a drawing can also reveal the truth of reality of feelings.

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870

Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder

Transmission Seven-speed PDK

Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km

Museum of the Future in numbers
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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
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Updated: March 01, 2024, 6:02 PM