Few objects are as vast in terms of metaphors as the mirror.
Its representations of wisdom, vanity and presentability resonate across cultures. In its sterling bottomlessness, it holds the infinite. In its reflections, it stands as a declarer of truth. It has often been featured as a transcendental vantage point in folk tales and literature around the world. Unbound by time or space, the mirror on the wall knows all.
In the Arab world, the mirror’s influence is just as potent. Evidence to that is how much the Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror.
Mir'aat is Arabic for mirror. It is also colloquially referred to as miraye, especially in the Levant. In plural form, the word becomes maraya.
When something, say a body of water, is clear and reflective, you could say it is kal mir'aat. The next time a friend is late because they took their time getting ready, you could as them, Kam sa’aa sarlak/sarlik waqef/waqefa qidam al miraye?, or: How long have you been standing in front of the mirror?
On the other hand, if they appear unkempt, you could say, Shouf shaklak/shaklik qidam al miraye — Look at yourself in the mirror. Another common expression is, Ma a’ndkon miraye bel beit — Do you not have a mirror at home?
Breaking a mirror, or kasr al mir'aat, is also considered ominous in the Middle East, and as the superstition goes, will bring seven years of bad luck.
Maraya was also the name of a popular Syrian comedy television show, which ran for 20 seasons between 1982 and 2013. The show was lauded for the way it presented social commentary about life in Syria through comedy. It starred Syrian actor and writer Yasser al-Azma.
There are several sayings by Arab intellectuals that incorporate al mir'aat.
“Sulook al insan mir'aat al qalb, fa man kan sulookuhoo jamilan kana qalbahu saliman.”
“A person’s manners are the mirror of his heart,” writes Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran. “The more his manners are beautiful, the healthier his heart.”
“La takon kalmijhar yidakhimu altafaseel al saghira wa tukshef mawaten al qubah.
“Kun kal mir'aat, ta'kes ma tarahu amamaka bihiyadiya.”
“Do not be like the microscope,” Saudi journalist Abdullah Al-Maghlouth writes. “Do not enlarge the smallest details to reveal ugliness. Be like a mirror, reflecting what you see in front of you honestly.”
Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's pick of Arabic words of the week
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
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- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
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