This week’s Arabic word of the week has profound and symbolic resonance that has shaped the identity of the Middle East, while influencing many facets of western culture and art.
Sahraa is a noun, it means desert. The official definition of the word is a spacious, empty and wide piece of land with little or minimal vegetation and with poor or no water resources.
There are a few plurals for the word sahraa which include, saharaaa, sahrin, sahrawat and saharee. The meaning of the words change slightly depending on the context in which they are used in sentence structures and in references to different kinds of deserts.
The origin of the word sahraa is derived from the three Arabic letters, sad, hah and raa.
The word sahraa originates from three Arabic verbs whose meanings intersect and are closely linked to notions of the desert.
The first of these verbs is sahara which has two meanings. The first is when raw food is cooked and the second when someone or something is has suffered excessive exposure to the sun.
The second word is sahiraa which is something that gains a slight red tinge and the third is sahhara, which means when fertile land becomes arid.
It’s clear to see how these three words are all connected to ideas of the desert from its nature and effect on living things. There are many words that are used in classical and colloquial Arabic that are derived from the word sahraa that also have connections to notions of the desert.
For example, as-hara is a verb that usually means people who journey into the desert. But when used to reference a place it means an area or location that has become more spacious. When it is used in the context of a topic or issue, it means that the subject matter discussed, which may have been murky or shrouded in mystery, has become clearer or obvious.
An interesting name for camels, whose natural habitat is the desert, is safeenat al sahraa which literally translates as ship of the desert.
Camels are uniquely adapted to the harsh climate of the desert. They have been an integral means of transport and trade for Bedouin people who live in the dessert and are also a symbol for the culture and way of life of the desert itself.
There are many famous deserts in the Middle East. These include the Sahara desert, the Arabian desert, the Empty Quarter, the Sinai desert and the Libyan desert.
Across the Abrahamic religions, the desert has been a symbol to convey many spiritual meanings and journeys. The desert has been a place of exile where individuals or groups of people are tested, a space where divine encounters have occurred and a symbol of great inner and outer transformation.
The desert has also had significant influence on all forms of literature and art, from poetry and fiction to painting and film. Arabic literature and poetry began as an oral form of storytelling, which originated from the nomadic culture of tribes who for centuries lived in and travelled across the desert.
The Arabian desert, or the idea of the Arabian desert, has inspired many themes and motifs in western literature and storytelling.
The desert’s harsh, endless landscapes, its solitude, stunning scenery and diversity of animals have all helped to push narratives, metaphors and ideas of exoticism, epic romantic love, magic, adventure, exploration and many ideas concerning fate, spirituality, mysticism and self-discovery in the West.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
