The song Ya Jabal Ma Yhezak Reeh (Oh, mountain, the wind cannot shake you) is a powerful anthem of resilience and pride. Performed by Jordanian folk singer Omar Al-Abdallat, the lyrics celebrate the unyielding strength of the Palestinian people, likening their steadfastness to that of an immovable mountain. The chorus serves as a metaphor for unwavering determination in the face of adversity.
Our Arabic word of the week is jabal, which translates to mountain, the significance of which extends far beyond its physical meaning. The term embodies strength, endurance and a deep connection to the land, reflecting both the landscapes and the values of the Arab world.
The term derives from the roots jeem, baa and lam, which convey the idea of something raised or elevated. Its plural form is jibal, and regional dialects may pronounce it jebel or djebel, highlighting its presence across the Arabic-speaking world and beyond. Jabal could also be used to compliment someone. To be called a jabal is to say that a person is strong, brave and unwavering.
Mountains themselves are prominent topographical features in this part of the world, from the rugged terrains of the Hajar Mountains in the UAE and Oman to the towering peaks of the Asir Mountains in Saudi Arabia. These natural formations have shaped the history and culture of the region, influencing settlement patterns, trade routes and daily life for centuries.
Many mountains are woven into local identity and place names, from Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, landmarks that attract visitors and tourists to appreciate their majesty.
They also carry spiritual and historical significance. Jabal al-Noor near Makkah is revered as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation, while Jabal Uhud near Madinah marks the location of the famous Battle of Uhud, a pivotal moment in early Islamic history.
In 2023, AlUla’s striking Jabal Ikmah was added to Unesco's Memory of the World Register. Dating back to the second half of the first millennium BC, the site features more than 300 historically significant carved inscriptions, recording many facets of the ancient Dadanite Kingdom’s life, rituals and customs.
Arabs who have lived in mountainous regions developed distinct ways of life, shaped by the challenges and opportunities of the terrain. In Saudi's Hejaz and Asir ranges, for example, communities built terraced farms to grow grains, fruits and coffee, adapting to steep slopes and scarce water.
Villages were often fortified to protect against raiders, and local customs and social structures evolved to reflect the isolation and interdependence of mountain life. Poetry, oral storytelling, and music flourished in these settings, carrying the history and values of these communities across generations.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
