Latest news with #Takbir
The National
20-06-2025
- General
- The National
‘Kibriyaa': Arabic word for grandeur balances pride and humility
Glory and grandeur run through the Arabic word of this week. Kibriyaa goes beyond pride. It suggests majesty and commands reverence, yet invites caution. Like most Arabic words, the seeds of its meaning lie in trilateral root letters – kaf, ba and ra – which generate a number of related names. There is Kabir, meaning great and a name consigned to males; and Takbir, meaning glorifying God, something worshippers do throughout their five daily prayers, particularly communally in the mosque. These related words also reflect the slippery slope from supreme confidence to conceit, with the latter described in Arabic by the stern-sounding istikbar. Because of the magnitude of its meaning, kibriyaa also holds a place in spiritual literature. The Quran establishes the term as divine territory, with a verse from Chapter 45 stating 'wa lahu al-kibriyaa'u fi as-samawati wa al-arđi" (And to Him belongs all grandeur in the heavens and the earth). In turn, the Quran also offers repeated warnings against arrogance, referred to as kibr, a spiritual poison said to erode good character. While preserving its resonant undertones, modern Arabic has also used kibriyaa in more secular contexts. An elderly and dignified person, for instance, may be described as possessing a form of kibriyaa. It is important to note, however, that the term in this case conveys earned gravitas – not pridefulness. That balance between self-respect and self-exaltation – in a region where both dignity and humility are honoured – is what keeps kibriyaa one of the most dynamic Arabic words. Its rich and weighty connotations mean it's not used casually, in pop songs or film titles for instance. It is also a reminder of the nuance of the Arabic language, in which from seemingly simple roots emerge entire philosophies on how to conduct oneself – teaching us what to aspire to, and what to avoid.
Saba Yemen
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Occupier releases seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners
Gaza - Saba: The Zionist enemy authorities released, at dawn on Thursday, the seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and high sentences from Ofer and Al-Maskoubiya prisons, in the "Freedom Flood" deal within the ceasefire understandings and prisoner exchange between the Palestinian resistance factions and the Zionist enemy. The Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office said that the enemy released the seventh batch of the prisoner exchange deal, which included the liberation of 642 prisoners, including: 151 prisoners with life sentences and high sentences, distributed as follows: (43 prisoners to the West Bank and Quds, 97 prisoners who will be deported abroad, 11 prisoners from Gaza who were arrested before October 7), in addition to 445 prisoners from Gaza detainees after October 7 and 46 female and child prisoners. According to Al Jazeera, 12 buses carrying released prisoners arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. The European Hospital spokesman told Al Arabiya TV that the condition of the released prisoners is appalling and they suffer from severe emaciation due to severe torture in the prisons of the Zionist enemy. The crowds received the seventh batch of released prisoners in the courtyard of the European Hospital amidst chants of Takbir and support for the resistance, led by the Al-Qassam Brigades. Meanwhile, a public reception ceremony was held in central Ramallah for 37 released Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank who were released as part of the first batch, from the seventh exchange batch. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a press statement that the movement responded to the mediators' request regarding arrangements for exchanging the bodies of the "Israeli" prisoners according to new mechanisms that guarantee the occupation's commitment to implementing the entire process. He pointed out that Hamas seeks to ensure the release of prisoners from the prisons of the Zionist enemy as a priority in any exchange process. The occupier had delayed the release of the seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners on its scheduled date last Saturday, which was supposed to include the release of 602 prisoners, after the Palestinian resistance released six "Israeli" prisoners, claiming that "it wants guarantees that no provocative measures will be taken against it during the delivery of the next batches," according to his expression. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
