…or Mabrouk a thousand times. Or even a million times. In English the word is translated to congratulations. It is one of the expressions that we use frequently in the Arab world. We can say it to congratulate friends and loved ones on happy occasions, whether small or big. For example, marriage, college acceptances, graduating from university, welcoming a new baby, getting a new job or even buying a new phone. We derived the expression from "Allah Ybarik feek," which in English means, may God bless you. Mabrouk may also be a person's name for men: (Mabrouk) or for women: (Mabroukah). Lastly, in Ramadan (the holy month where Muslims fast) which we are currently observing, the most common way to wish someone a happy Ramadan is by saying “Ramadan Mubarak.”
Maryait Khader is the teaching assistant for the Department of Arabic.
