Learning Arabic is Fun

“Worm-like writings, how could you read such a difficult script?’ exclaimed my Filipino friend.

It’s easy.

First have the passion to learn.

Dedicate some time, not your spare time.

Daily set a targeted plan.

Learn it for a purpose.

Inculturate!

I have been working in the Middle East for almost 10 years now and most of the people I encountered were expats speaking in English. There were Arabs but they too were speaking in a language we all understand—it’s English.

Outside the office, English is not the language being spoken by local people. It’s Arabic. When you buy simple stuffs, you need to speak Arabic. When you ask for a receipt, it’s all written in Arabic. When someone asks a question, how could I politely reply if I don’t understand the language they’re speaking?

Just a simple answer to a simple question what my name was, I couldn’t even answer. The usual gesture, ignore and turn your back and pretend as if you didn’t hear any. But in my opinion, that’s rude. Of course, our inability to understand their language is inexcusable but failure to learn their own language is a gross laxity on our part.

I was challenged. I had the passion. So it all started by learning the basic A-B-C (although they do not have the A-B-C alphabets just as we use the Roman letters). Arabic script is heavily depended to phonetics, not the spelling (See Arabic Alphabet)

Let’s say for example, the name of Islam’s prophet (pbuh)*, محمد. The equivalent letters we can extract from this Arabic script are ‘mhmd’ which is read to be the name of their prophet. That’s the reason why you can read lots of Muslim names spelled differently such as Muhammad, Muhammed, Mohamed, Muhamad but when it’s written in Arabic, they are all the same محمد.

Our own ignorance of the Arabic culture hinders us from learning the Arabic script. Our own prejudices prevent us from giving a try. For most of us, the Arabic script is equated to Muslims and Islam since their Holy Book called Qu’ran is written in classical Arabic. We forget that before the advent of Islam, Arab Christians and Jews lived in the present Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Egypt etc. and they speak Arabic The expansion of Arabic script was introduced widely altogether with the Muslim conquest of the present Arab countries. However, Arab Christians do write Arabic, pray in Arabic, read the Bible in Arabic. They call God “Allah” just as our Muslim brethren calls God “Allah”. In other words, I can learn Arabic without surrendering my Christian faith. I can speak Arabic, yet a Christian. My Arab Muslim friends respect that—and they show much amount of support if they see in you the enthusiasm learning what they love to do.

Now, I can write and read Arabic script. Although I can read, I still need more time understanding what I am reading. Of course, I am not aiming to perfect it but at least I have proven something to myself that no matter how difficult learning the Arabic script could be, it’s fun and it’s worth it. This is inculturation which means appreciating, learning, loving the Arabic language, its script and its entire culture.

Here’s a simple translation of my birthplace.

My country: Philippines = الفلبين

My Province: Batanes = بتانيس

My town: Ivana = إفانا (note: in Arabic script, they do not have the equivalent letter “v” instead they use the letter /f/ sound. The same is used instead of the sound /p/, such as “Papa (Pope), they say al-Baba البابا.)

My barangay: Radiwan = رديون

أنا أرنستو. أنا من بتانيس و الفلبين. زيارة مكاني هل هي موضع ترحيب.

Thanks to all those Arabic speaking friends who contributed to my learning.

Mohammed Elmasry (Palestinian - London, UK)

Hamza Al-Zyadat (Jordanian - Dubai, UAE)

Hashim Ali Hashim (Saudi - London, UK)

Randa & Tamara (Saudi – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Hisham Rababa’h (Jordanian – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Abedlrhman Al-Ghanem (Jordanian - Amman, Jordan)

Mohammad Samara (Jordanian - Dubai, UAE)

Tariq Amin (Pakistani - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) father of Hassan

Mohammad Saggaf (Yemeni – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi (Yemeni - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Abdelghany Eisa (Egyptian – Alexandria, Egypt)

Mahmoud Nassar (Egyptian – Cairo, Egypt)
Mohammad Goma (Egyptian - Alexandria, Egypt)
Mohammad Gaber (Egyptian - Alexandria, Egypt)

And the rest of my Arab friends whom I’ve conversed daily. Thanks to you.

(*PBUH is an abbreviated Peace be upon him—usually said right after Muslim mentions the name of their prophet or any other prophet in that respect. Learning its Islamic culture fosters respect in their belief. See here for more information.)

Catholic Talibans

I didn't mean those who pathetically blew up buildings or detonates deadly explosives in parked trucks and cars. I mean those who forbid you to express yourself positively and constructively without undermining set Catholic rules on modesty.

I call these extremist guys "Catholic Talibans."

OK don't get me wrong. Before someone frets out, let me justify my point here.

One beautiful thing why I am always fascinated with the Catholic Church is because it has a unified set of rules as a church--body of Christ or as an individual.

The official Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Code of Canon Law, the Magisterium, the Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, etc, they never oppose with one another. They're the surest guide for each Catholic whether he or she is an ordinary faithful or member or any Catholic community or a religious or priest. Everyone acts according to what the Church is expecting us to live.

The Catholic Church directs our lives from conception to death (and even after death until everyone reunites with God in Heaven by praying those poor souls in Purgatory).

I use to wear one earring. I wore it for a purpose. And I know perfectly why I wore that piece of metal. Every time I wear it, I feel good about myself. I feel much positive inner joy in me that I became more productive, friendly, prayerful, honest, helpful, helping, charitable. I feel am a better person-- a better Christian. Actually it's not about the piece of metal. It's about what I feel about myself.

Still trapped in his prejudices against men wearing ea rings, I was told to remove it like a military commander. I thought he was joking but no he wasn't. His face shows he really was serious.

Why should I?

Look. There are a lot of Catholic Talibans everywhere. They impose their own self standards. And they judge according to appearance. That's one reason why in many Catholic communities, we find many members unable to cope up with their specific cultures. After sessions, instead of talking about what to give up for charity, they would talk about the latest expensive gadgets showcasing what they've got not to mention what they wearing-- signatured shirts, pants, shoes etc. Those can't-afford members would be left out or they would feel insignificant because they couldn't ride on the conversation anymore.. and so they quit.

I use to listen anyone even how insignificant his story may be. I don't judge. I listen. I never threat. I sympathize. I never impose my own set rules. And I never give unsolicited advise. I think that's one good reason why I hear all those stories about Catholic communities.

Why are we having Catholic Talibans in our communities? Are those men wearing ea rings or having tattoo in their bodies unable to love as Christ requires each of us? Are they incapable of doing charity? Did they lose their Catholic identity? Did they sin? Or did they violate any of the Ten Commandments or went against any of the Catechism of the Catholic Church? Did they lose their souls or had they lost the chance to be saved?

No.

Those men with tattoos or one earring still have their souls intact. They are still capable of loving and they can still perform charitable acts. They can still call Jesus as their Lord and God. They can still receive the Holy Communion (under the state of grace) and they can still the best Catholic that they could.

Now I understand. When we focus on our self-righteousness or judge people by their appearances, we loose our identities as channels of peace and love and we became "Taliban" unable to accept that there "what's essential is invisible to the eye."

But now, I removed my earring. I did it as I pleased. I am concern of anyone's sensitivity in my community and perhaps giving-up my pride and practice obedience is more self-fulfilling than wearing my earring at all.

I hope Catholic Talibans may realize that above all-- it's LOVE that counts. For this is what the Law requires us.

What makes a man "bad"?

"what you are doing
you now freind for isreal
i can't keep you with my freinds any more."

These are the exact words I received in my Facebook inbox from a long-time Muslim friend I truly cherish while in Jeddah. He couldn't believe that I posted Catholics for Israel in my Facebook Page. No doubt, I have fought for Palestinian sovereignty way back when I was in college and that will not fade. He then deleted my name among his friends. Painful but I understand.

Does true friendship and love transcend our differences? Friendship requires no more than unconditional love and I truly believe in that. This is how friendship is strengthened. Setting conditions in between kills the very definition of the word. I can't agree more than my friend's reaction. He acted according to what he feels best and keeping me would harm his friendship with others as well. I am sure his decision wasn't easy but he has made the right decision. Thank you for the good friendship we had before.

Intentionally, I posted that site not to harm the political sensitivities of my Muslim Arab friend but it was because of my Catholic faith that I shouldn't be siding neither pro nor anti. No Jews, Muslims, unbelievers, we believe we are all children of God whether we like it or not. God cannot be reduced according to our political views. God is God even we fail to define his true essence. That's what I believe.

To my Muslim friend, Iam sorry if what I've posted was offensive to you. It was not meant to be. I deeply respect your political sensibilities when it comes to Israel but please understand that I am a Catholic and that it is against my Catholic faith and the Catholic teachings to treat people differently just because they have different beliefs, different political stand, they have darker skins, or they are Israelis or Palestinians or non-Catholics. We see everyone like they are our brothers and sisters. Their dignity as human beings is the same with my dignity as a human person endowed by the ONE GOD we all believe.

Christ in the Christian Bible says to "love one another" as he has loved us. Worst, when he taught us to "love even our "our enemies" and "offer the other cheek" when someone slaps us. For Catholics, we don't want enemies but friends and for this reason we will be known to be Christians for this is the whole of the teachings Christ have summed up. Love for God is LOVE.

Catholics build bridges, not walls.

Salam! Shalom!