Mishan Enta [because of you] is a phrase commonly used by Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis when Arabs ask for discounts. They use it to make you feel you are a special customer, even though, all customers to them are special. It suggests they would not normally give the discount, but "mishan enta".
As I walked through Madinat Zayed shopping mall, irritated by the heavy smell of popcorn enveloping my abaya, suddenly, one of the shopkeepers – we call them all rafeeq, which means friend – at the kiosk called out to me.
"Eeeji Mama" [Come Mama], he said in broken Arabic, trying to introduce me to his latest accessories and colorful artistic items. I was dumbfounded that he would call a 20-something girl "mama". But I didn't react badly, because I knew he did not mean to insult me. After giving it some thought, I took a quick look at his newest items.
Rafeeq was trying to get me to buy anything. It was "Mama, shoof shoof, haza jadeed eeji, wajid jain" [Mama, look at this, this is a new collection, very nice]. When I finally decided to buy a gem-studded bracelets, I asked: Kam [how much]?
Rafeeq: Haza zab'een Mama [Dh70]
Me: Sab'een wayed [Dh70 is too much]
Rafeeq: Mishan enta, ana ya'ati Dh40 [Because you're special, you can have it for Dh40]
I wondered, upon hearing his broken Arabi, why does each nationality speak its own version of Arabic? I find that Arabic-speaking expatriates make the language their own, extracting certain Arabic words and making a new language out of it. Kind of like Arabish.
And the culprit is Arabs themselves, in my humble opinion.
When my family was in a restaurant in Switzerland, a Bangladeshi man served us. After taking our orders, he turned to the next table to check on customers as they ate their meals. We noticed something peculiar (at least to us) about this guy. He could hold a fluent conversation in Swiss. He did not stutter nor did he have any difficulty pronouncing words. I think the explanation is simple. Swiss people speak to all residents of Switzerland in the same way. They make no distinction or exception for immigrants.
Now, let's turn look at Asians working in the UAE. How many can have an extended conversation in Arabic? It is not uncommon to hear Arabs speaking in broken Arabic to these people: Ana fak'kr [I thought], ana kalam [I said], enta khabr [ you said], and best of all, fi ma'loom [I do know]. These are not proper phrases. This is unfair to the Arabic language and to those who are trying to learn and speak it.
Recently, the mother of one of my friends had a huge fight with their helper, Sakkina. The day after the argument, the family fired her. When Sakkina, an Ethiopian, was asked why she did what she did, all she could say was: Mama, grr grr grr [Mama nags non-stop] and then she burst into tears. She couldn't defend herself due to the language barrier and had no intermediary to clarify the situation.
Another problem is that young Arab children pick up on this broken Arabic and use it, thinking it is the right way to pronounce the words because that is what they hear from their nannies and drivers.
My family has started conversing with our house staff in the Emirati dialect. When they don't get certain words or phrase, we explain to them how to pronounce them properly. This is the best way to improve communication and interaction.
Imagine, if we started speaking to non-Arabs in the same dialect we use with our fellow citizens, we might lessen the burden on their shoulders. If an Arab can speak and pronounce the English language with an accent understandable to someone from any English speaking country, then what would stop others from speaking and pronouncing our own Arabic language fluently.
Nonetheless, mishan enta is my favorite broken Arabic phrase.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
MO
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books