French philosopher and scientist Rene Descartes created the concept and the now popular term: “I think, therefore I am.”
A fundamental root in western philosophy, this statement implies that if someone has some form of consciousness, it means that they are real and exist. The central idea in this notion is the word “think”, which is this week’s Arabic Word of the Week.
Fikir, which means think or even thought depending on the context, is a malleable word which lends itself to many other ideas and concepts related to thinking.
It's derived from the root word fakara, which comes from the three Arabic letters, Fah, Kaf and Rah. The verb means to think, mull over, or contemplate a topic that is familiar to a person. So much so that the thinker gets to a new conclusion, discovery or a point that was unknown to him/her previously. It can also refer to the act of being so immersed in one's thought, that the mind is working more intensely than usual.
Aside from the root meaning of the word, fikir itself has several meanings that are connected to each other. It can mean a thought or an idea, referring to the process of contemplation, but it also works as a verb meaning to think, consider or reflect on a certain topic. Fikir can also refer to a person’s intellect, their points of voice politically, socially or religiously, and can even be connected to their mental capacity.
Often, the word is used when referring to deep contemplation on a subject, opinion or point of view, and doesn’t apply to the idea of fleeting thoughts. However, colloquially, fikir can also refer to any idea connected to thinking.
From the root word fakara, there are also many words that are connected to the concept of contemplation and thinking. Fikira is the noun variation of the word and means a single idea or thought. It can also refer to someone’s very specific point of view about a particular topic.
From the same root word, we have moufakir or its plural variation moufakareen, which refers to those whose vocation in life is to ponder, think and research intensely – not always with the aim to come to a conclusion but simply for the joy of the process. However, some of these moufakereen are seeking the true nature of things, a specific answer to an issue or conundrum and dedicate their time to intense thinking and research. Moufakareen can include artists, writers, journalists, researchers and philosophers.
There is also the noun tafkeer, which means a person’s perspective, philosophy or point of view about life or a certain topic. The verb of tafkeer is tafakara, and refers to someone who is actively expressing and exchanging their thoughts and ideas within a discussion.
There are also several phrases in Arabic that refer to the concept of fikir. There is moushwish al fikir, which translates to “confused of thought” and means someone who is unsettled, anxious and / or nervous in their thinking and actions.
There is also shared al fikira, which literally translates to “he who strays in thought”, which describes someone whose mind is immersed in extreme thought compared to those around him/her, or one who is daydreaming about something else while in the midst of people who are concentrating together on thing. For example, a university student who is never concentrating in a lecture or a staff member who never pays attention in work meetings.
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Mountain%20Boy
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
