The holy month is a time to revive the tradition of Ramadan greetings. Across the Arab world, various salutations capture the spirit of the occasion – some commonly heard in regions like the Gulf and the Levant – while others also function as evocative prayers. Here are seven greetings you can use and their meanings.
1. Ramadan Mubarak
One of the most widely used greetings, meaning “blessed Ramadan.” Simple yet profound, it sets the tone for the holy month.
2. Ramadan Kareem
Another popular salutation, translating to “generous Ramadan,” captures the spirit of generosity during the holy month. A common response is Allahu Akram – “Allah is even more generous”.
3. Taqabal Allah minna wa minkum
A common greeting during Ramadan and Eid, translating to “May Allah accept from you and us”. It can also double as a reply to any Ramadan greeting.
4. Mubarak Alaykum Al Shahr
Meaning “Blessed be this month upon you,” this warm greeting is widely used in the Gulf, particularly at the start of Ramadan. A typical reply is Allah ya barak feek (May Allah bless you as well).
5. Adahu Allah Aleikum bil khair wal barakah
Heard toward the end of Ramadan, this phrase means “May Allah return it upon you with goodness and blessings.” It conveys the hope that Ramadan’s blessings continue throughout the year and serves as a bittersweet reminder to carry its lessons forward.
6. Ten‘ad Aleikum
A widely used Levantine phrase meaning “May (the occasion) return to you.” It can be extended with bil-sihha wal afiya (“in good health and well-being”) or wa ‘ala ahbabak (“to you and your loved ones”). Used for Ramadan, Eid and even New Year greetings, the standard response is Wa ‘alaykum bil-mithl – “And to you as well.”
7. Ghafar Allah lana wa lakum
Since Ramadan is known as “the month of mercy,” this greeting serves as both a prayer and a blessing. Meaning “May Allah forgive us and you,” it is often heard during the spiritually significant last 10 days of Ramadan. The appropriate response is wa iyyakum, translated to “And to you as well.”
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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.
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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