In J R R Tolkien’s famous fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings, there is an excerpt from a poem that is linked to the vivid world of Middle Earth and is also seeped in mainstream culture.
“One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all, and the in the darkness bind them.”
Coincidentally, the way Tolkien used the word ring here, particularly within the concept of binding or sealing, is one of the meanings in this week’s Arabic word of the week.
Khatam is most commonly known to mean a ring – a circular piece of jewellery often made from some precious metal that is worn on a finger. Fous al khatam is a phrase that translates to the stone or jewel placed on the ring and is used within that context, or sometimes as a form of endearment.
The second meaning for khatam is also a seal, stamp or signet, which is usually impressed or designed on an official document or envelope. There are other definitions for the word khatam that come from the many meanings associated to the root of the word.
Khatama is a verb, whose roots Arabic letters are kha, tah and meem. It’s the origin of the word khatam and refers to several actions. The first is the action of placing a ring on someone’s finger and the second is to place a seal on a letter, document or any item – whether official or not.
The third and fourth definitions are closely connected. The first of those is to end or complete a task or project often associated with writing or reading. For example, when someone has finished or plans to finish reading the Quran in its entirety.
The final meaning refers to the action of a person dissociating and ending their feelings towards a topic or person or to keep something locked inside oneself, such as emotions or a secret. The phrase, yekhtim qalbahou, which translates to closing his heart off, refers to this action.
The root word of khatama was once thought to have originated from Aramaic or Hebrew. However, that is now believed not to be the case and the word most likely originated from the ancient Egyptian word htm, which refers to a seal.
Despite mainly meaning ring, these concepts also associated with completion. In fact, khatam as a noun, or its plural versions kawatim or khawateem, means the end of something or to finish something. In Islam, the Prophet Mohammed is referred to as Khatam Al Anbeyaa, which means the last of the prophets.
Khatam is a versatile word, which can mean both a physical object, the concept of authentication or metaphorical and emotional endings or completions.
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if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
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Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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