writer/editor

middle east: work and travels

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

the one in which I become a mujtahid

So, I just wanted to tell you all some linguistic things too, which the last post (from last night technically, even though it was posted now) failed to mention.  Plenty of you probably know this, but for those who don't, I thought it was interesting.

1) In Arabic, the sun (الشمس) rises by "easting" (يشرق) and sets by "westing" (يغرب).  So, one of the words for sunset (المغرب) is also the word for Morocco.

2) Good students in Arabic are مجتهد (mujtahid) or "the one who endeavors/strives/thinks logically".  Today, I became a مجتهد, not to be confused with مجاهد (mujahid), a freedom fighter.  I confused them today.  It was awkward.

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