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Asalam-Alaikum = hello.  You will hear this a lot as it is standard form of greeting. It actually means ‘I greet you in peace’.  The reply is ‘Walai-kum-salam’ meaning I greet you in peace too. Men can offer a handshake to other men but do not offer to women unless the woman offers to you first.

 

Insha-Allah =  ‘If God willing’, this is another very common saying whenever muslims plan to do something or make a promise.

 

Allah = God.

 

Alhamdo-Lillah = ‘Praise be to God’ but literally used to say “thanks” , “I am doing well/fine” or indicate a form of satisfaction like one would say “that’s great”.

 

Ahlan-Wasalan = Hi or nice to meet you.

 

Shukran = thanks.

 

Quran/Koran – is the Muslim Holy Book, accepted as the word of God delivered by the angel Gabriel to prophet Mohammed. Muslims believe the Koran supercedes earlier revelations i.e. the Torah and the Bible. The Koran contains many of the stories and commandments described in the Bible but unlike the Bible not a word has changed for last 1400 years. It is memorized by heart by many Muslims and frequently recited, thus it is protected from any changes.

 

Imam - person who leads the prayer.

 

Allahu-Akbar - Allah (God) is great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Phrases

Islam & Business  - Common Phrases                            

Islam - is the religion practiced in the gulf states. The belief is in one God and Muhammed (SAW) as the last prophet. Muslims believe in all the prophets from Adam, Abraham to Jesus.

 

Prayers - these are five times a day and you will here a call from the mosques calling men to prayers. The call is known as the Adhan.

 

Mecca and Medina - are the two holiest cities in Saudi Arabia and third one being Jerusalem.

 

Women - attitude towards women is misunderstood by westerners, it is a way of life of protecting women and providing security and therefore there  are a number of restrictions on women particularly in Saudi Arabia. Women will not take part in social gatherings of males, dress code is of maximum modesty covering their bodies from head to toe. Intermingling of male and female is prohibited.

 

Men - rather more free in their actions but there is code of conduct for them too for example whistling at women is a serious offence.

 

Restaurants - tend to have a family section and women will normally dine there.

 

Segregation - Women are given their own space for work and generally separated from men. The same applies to an Arab home, there is private section for the family, men, women and children and a public section to attend to male guests. Women guests will join the other women in the private section.

 

Entering an Arab/Muslim home - always greet with  Asalalm-Alaikum first. In many homes you may have to take your shows off first, part of culture which emphasizes that cleanliness is half the faith. Just like when one enters the mosque, people take their shows off.

 

Eating - it is very traditional to eat without fork and knives and eat with the right hand.

 

Right hand - when you give to take something use the right, it is very rude to use left hand and some will even refuse to accept the left hand.

Few things to know

Here is a quick guide to some common phrases that you will hear in a muslim environment and many in muslim countries.

Cross the bridge !

Common Dialogue