“What’s in a name?” Juliet asks Romeo in William Shakespeare’s play, adding: “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”
It refers to the idea that names are invented conventions that don’t have any true meaning or worth, since the object, like a rose, would still be a rose even if it was never named.
So, what is in a name? In the Arab world, there's a lot.
This week’s Arabic Word of the Week is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem, creating the word "isim".
It translates to "name", what something or someone is known as, or referred to.
Isim is a self-referential word, its meaning is in and of itself. It’s also a word that is not associated with a time, it has no past, present or future tense, it simply exists.
Al isim, meaning the name, is a noun which can refer to a multitude of things. For example al isim al tigary, meaning the brand name, or al isim al qalami, which means pen name or pseudonym.
Al Isim Al Atheem, which literally translates to the greatest name or the name of the all-powerful, is both a noun and a name within itself. It refers in Islam to the greatest name of Allah, known only to the prophets.
In Islam, Allah also has 99 names that act as nouns or characteristics and attributes, and at times verbs, associated with him. For example, the Merciful, the Eternal Lord, the Most Sacred and the Embodiment of Peace.
One of the most common phrases in Islam, used at the start of a surah, a section in the Quran, or used when about to start a new or arduous task, is bismillah, which translates to in the name of Allah.
Isim also has several pronunciations when used in its plural form. These are: asmaa, asamee, asamin — each are used in accordance to their particular context in a sentence in classical Arabic.
The verb of isim is sama. It refers to the act of being proud of, recognising and verbally acknowledging in some form, the achievements, stature and successes of one’s family, friends or community.
There are other words that are derived from isim and the three letters that create it, - alif, seen and meem. One is the noun samaa, the word commonly used for sky. It can also mean anything higher than you and covers you, such as clouds, rain or space.
There is also soumuu, a noun meaning high, but when used as a title, refers to royalty, such as princes, queens or kings. When used in other contexts, for example, soumuu al mashaa'ir, which translates to the highness of feelings, it refers to the highest and purest form of positive feelings.
Another word is the verb tasaama. It means both to transcend and refusing to succumb or submit to an act that one perceives as below them. It’s maintaining a standard of behaviour worthy of one’s own self-worth.
It’s interesting to note that in all these cases, these words frame isim, or the idea of the name as something that is of high stature to live up to and connected to one’s self-worth and value.
Sami, is also a noun derived from the word isim.
It’s a name meaning elevated or sublime, its female version would by Samiya. It is the name of the prophet Noah’s son, in varying spellings and pronunciations. A pivotal figure in the Abrahamic faiths, the name and word Sami also became the word to describe the race and language of the Semitic people.
Tunisian singer Zekra's most popular single is titled El Asami. The song describes heartbreak and hearts changing through the passage of time, while names remain as they are.
Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's pick of Arabic words of the week
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Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts -

The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet -

Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it -

The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English -

The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context -

The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English -

Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace -

Hudood means borders in English -

The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English -

The Arabic word ain means eye in English -

Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English -

Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt -

Kareem means generous in English -

Bab means door in English -

Eid means holiday or festival -

Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame -

Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning -

Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust -

Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative -

Herfe translates to profession or craft -

Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits -

Sehha is the Arabic word for health -

Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free -

Aamal is the Arabic word for work -

Al dahr translates to time -

Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots -

Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English -

Insaan means human being -

Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed -

The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment -

Qamar is the Arabic for moon -

The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa -

Burj is Arabic for tower -

The Arabic word for sun is shams -

Sabr in English can translate to patience -

Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige -

The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English -

The Arabic word for road is tareeq -

The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations -

Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup -

The Arabic word hanan means affection in English -

The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English -

Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms -

Janaah in Arabic means wing in English -

The Arabic word sana translates to year in English -

Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry -

Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title -

Nakhla translates to palm tree in English -

Al samt is the Arabic for silence -

Kalimaat translates to words in English -

Markaz is Arabic for centre -

Beshara is the Arabic word for good news -

Bayt is the Arabic for house or home -

Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective -

Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem -

Dunya is the Arabic word for world -

Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English -

Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings -

Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn -

Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset -

The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror -

Raei is the Arabic word for opinion -

Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name -

Qussa is the Arabic word for story -

Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship -

Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news -

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

As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality -

Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days -

The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam -

Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence -

Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan -

Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
'O'
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1. |
United States |
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2. |
China |
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3. |
UAE |
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4. |
Japan |
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5 |
Norway |
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6. |
Canada |
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7. |
Singapore |
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8. |
Australia |
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9. |
Saudi Arabia |
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10. |
South Korea |
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While you're here
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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More on animal trafficking
THREE
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Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
While you're here
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
The%20Beekeeper
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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Tom Fletcher: How statecraft and summitry will have to adapt
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Towering concerns
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
----
Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
MATCH INFO
Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians won by three runs

