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Media Arabic Booster 09/24

This month (09/24) in Media Arabic Booster: Hezbollah and Nasrallah’s death in Lebanon and how Iran wants to gain a foothold in Sudan

byGerald Drißner

September 30, 2024

20 minute read

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Last updated: 2 weeks

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As a journalist, I read Arabic newspapers daily, especially the opinion section. Every month, I want to share with you on Arabic for Nerds what I find interesting from a linguistic perspective and which vocabulary might be worth learning. I call it the Media Arabic Booster.

A close look at a headline

Headlines in Arabic media are generally easy to understand – but there are also some tricky words.

al-Sharq al-Awsat: to cause someone to bleed

The month of September in 2024 was dominated by the events in Lebanon surrounding Hezbollah (حزب الله). It began in mid-September with Israel’s attack on thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah supporters. A few days later, on Friday, 27 September 2024, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (حسن نصر الله) was killed in an Israeli air strike on Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut.

Let us first look at how the London-based and Saudi financed newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat (الشرق الأوسط) reported the pager attack on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.

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Let’s focus on two headlines:

أَكْبَرُ اِخْتِراقٍ إِسْرائِيلِيٍّ يُدْمِي حِزْبَ اللّٰهِ

Lit.: The biggest Israeli breach causes Hezbollah to bleed
Possible translation: Israel’s biggest breakthrough leaves Hezbollah devastated

إِسْرائِيلُ تَتَأَهَّبُ وَتَسْتَدْعِي الْاِحْتِياطَ وَتُعَدُّ الْمَلاجِئَ

Israel prepares, calls for reserves and prepares shelters

I’m not sure how best to translate the title into English. There are several reasons for this:

Firstly, al-Sharq al-Awsat prefers serious and rather detached, factual language in its headlines – it is anything but a tabloid/yellow press. So I don’t think a literal translation of “bleeding” is really appropriate for this newspaper, although there was a real connection because after the pager attack many people in Lebanon were injured and bleeding.
Secondly, the word “blood” in Arabic has a lot of abstract, very deep meanings. So I would tend towards a more abstract formulation.
But I am not a native speaker, so I do not have the necessary feel for such phrases. I would be interested to hear what others think about this (please comment at the end of the article).

Go to vocab Section

BACKGROUND: The root of the Arabic word for blood (دَمٌ)

That’s an old debate. Some say د-م-ي held by some to be originally د-م-و. Others treat it as biliteral (= two root letters) since it is an ancient Semitic root.

The Arabic word for u0022bloodu0022. How did Arabic grammarians treat it?

That’s an old debate. Some say د-م-ي held by some to be originally د-م-و. Others treat it as biliteral (= two root letters) since it is a very old Semitic root.

Let’s check the word for blood in other Semitic languages: In Accadian, we have the word dāmu. In Ugaritic-cuneiform: damu. In Hebrew, blood is דָּם (dam) and is based on the biliteral root (d-m). Basically, in almost all Semitic languages, we find the letters d-m resulting mostly in “dam“. So we have two root letters.
Of the root د-م-ي (or: د-م-و), 2 forms occur 10 times in the Qur’an: دَمٌ (collective noun) 7 times and دِماءٌ (plural) 3 times.
Early Arabic grammarians tried to explain the entire Arabic data set in terms of a three-root system – on which the entire pattern system of ف-ع-ل model is based. When we are dealing with an old Semitic root based on two root letters, the Arabic framework of word construction becomes tricky. With ancient two-letter Semitic roots, theoretical explanations of how a word might have originally looked were often needed to explain the Arabic words actually used. Since we have relatively little written Arabic from ancient times, this remains an abstract discussion – which it was even then, as the differing views of the great Arabic grammarians show. Arabic grammar makes all this possible because it provides a framework with an almost mathematical formal logic.
Sibaweihi (سيبويه) said that the Arabic word for blood was originally دَمْيٌ – with سُكُونٌ – following the pattern فَعْلٌ which explains the plural forms دِماء and دُمِيٌّ.
However, al-Jawhary (الجوهري) takes the view, quoting al-Mubarrad (المبرد), that it was originally دَمَوٌ (also: دَمَيٌ), following the pattern of فَعَلٌ. As an example of their argument, supporters of this approach give the example of the Arabic word for hand, يَدٌ, which was originally explained by يَدَيٌ.
The dual of دَمٌ is another example which shows the complexity of the discussion: The majority of the classical grammarians said it is دَمَيانِ (or, as some say, دَمَوانِ) which would be another example where an extra letter (ي or و) suddenly comes into play. Others, however, give دَمَانِ (only two root letters).

Headlines on the death of Nasrallah

Hezbollah is supported by the Shiite regime in Iran. That’s why I wanted to see how the Sunni Arab media outlets reported the death of the Hezbollah leader.

A newspaper front page featuring bold headlines in Arabic. The title 'المصري اليوم' is prominent at the top, with articles discussing political events, including the killing of Hassan Nasrallah and reactions to regional conflicts. There are images accompanying the articles, illustrating related events.

The front page of the Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat features a prominent image of Hassan Nasrallah, a man in a black robe and turban, alongside a photographic image of destruction with a person standing on rubble in the foreground, amidst a devastated urban landscape. Headlines discuss events related to Hezbollah and ongoing tensions.

A newspaper front page featuring headlines about political tensions involving Israel and Hezbollah, with an image of a burning cityscape, and a photo of a leader speaking passionately at a rally.

A newspaper front page featuring bold headlines in Arabic announcing the assassination of a Hezbollah leader, along with images of destruction and two men walking through rubble. There is a sidebar with a photo of a man in traditional religious attire.

Almost all of them used neutral language and the word اِغْتِيالٌ which means assasination; murder. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb اغْتالَ – يَغْتالُ which means to murder; to assassinate. Arabic newspapers refrained from using Islamic or indirect phrases, which are usually used when important Arab figures die.
Interestingly, the Egyptian newspaper al-Masry al-Youm (المصري اليوم) used different approach. They showed a picture of a waving and friendly looking Nasrallah and used the headline حسن نصر الله يغادر ضاحيته الجنوبية which translates as Hassan Nasrallah leaves his southern suburb.

For those who want to read more on the subject: In issue 08/24 of the Media Arabic Booster I wrote some background information on Nasrallah and Hezbollah.

Translation of an article

Let’s look at parts of a longer newspaper article in Arabic. We will translate each sentence carefully. The highlighted words are in the vocabulary list below.

al-Arab: How Iran tries to gain influence in Sudan

On September 24, 2024, the following article was published by the London-based and Qatari-owned daily newspaper al-Arab (العرب). The article examines Iran’s efforts to increase its influence in Sudan during the current crisis and claims that Tehran uses educational institutions to spread Shi’ism and strengthen its presence in Africa. The author, Dr. Abdel Moneim Hemmat (عبد المنعم همت), is a Sudanese writer based in the UAE.

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Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.

إيران واستغلال الأزمة السودانية لتعزيز نفوذها الإقليمي

Iran and the exploitation of the Sudanese crisis to enhance its regional influence

Section 1

إيران، بفضل موقعها الجغرافي وتوجهاتها السياسية والعقائدية، تسعى إلى التوسع خارج حدودها، خاصة في الأوقات التي تتسم بالأزمات في المناطق المحيطة. الأزمة السودانية المستعرة منذ سنوات ليست استثناءً لهذه الطموحات. مع تزايد حالة الفوضى الداخلية في السودان، تجد طهران فرصة لتعزيز وجودها في هذا البلد الهام والاستفادة من موقعه الجغرافي لتوسيع نفوذها في أفريقيا، وهي قارة تحاول إيران على مدى عقود الوصول إلى قلبها لأسباب سياسية واقتصادية وأيديولوجية.

Thanks to its geographical location and political and ideological orientations, Iran is seeking to expand beyond its borders, especially in times of crises in neighboring regions. The ongoing Sudanese crisis for years now is no exception to these ambitions. As the internal chaos is escalating in Sudan, Tehran seized the opportunity to strengthen its presence in this important country and take advantage of its geographical location to expand its influence in Africa, a continent that Iran has been trying to reach for decades for political, economic and ideological reasons.

Go to vocab Section 1

BACKGROUND: What is the situation in Sudan in 2024?

The current crisis and civil war in Sudan began in April 2023, triggered by a power struggle between two groups:

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF; القوات المسلحة السودانية), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (عبد الفتاح البرهان).
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; قوات الدعم السريع), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti (محمد حمدان دقلو).

Before the civil war erupted in April 2023, Sudan was already experiencing significant political and social turmoil.

What was the situation before the civial war in 2023?

Post-Bashir Transition: After the ousting of long-time President Omar al-Bashir (عمر البشير) in April 2019, Sudan was in a transitional phase. A civilian-led transitional government was established through a power-sharing agreement between military and civilian leaders.

Military Coup: In October 2021, the transitional government was toppled by a military coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (عبد الفتاح البرهان), with support from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF; قوات الدعم السريع). This coup disrupted the fragile transition to civilian rule and led to widespread protests and instability.

Economic Challenges: Sudan faced severe economic difficulties, including high inflation, food shortages, and a lack of basic services. These economic hardships fueled public discontent and protests.

Security Issues: The country was also dealing with ongoing conflicts in regions like Darfur (دارفور), South Kordofan (جنوب كردفان), and Blue Nile (النيل الأزرق), which contributed to the overall instability.

Why did the conflict erupt in 2023?

External Influences: Various countries have taken sides in the conflict, further complicating the situation. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates reportedly support the SAF, while Qatar and Turkey are believed to support the RSF.
Integration Disputes: There were significant disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the regular military. The SAF wanted to absorb the RSF into its ranks, but the RSF resisted, fearing a loss of autonomy and power.
Transition to Civilian Rule: The timeline and process for transitioning to a civilian-led government were contentious. Both factions had different visions and timelines for this transition, leading to increased tensions.
Power Struggle: The underlying power struggle between General al-Burhan and General Dagalo played a crucial role. Both leaders sought to consolidate their power and influence, leading to a direct confrontation.

How many people died and were displaced?

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) reported that the conflict in Sudan has resulted in at least 8,600 civilian deaths and more than 8.6 million displaced people¹.

Section 2

من أبرز الوسائل التي تستخدمها طهران لتحقيق هذا الهدف هو التعليم، حيث تقوم بإنشاء مدارس وجامعات في عدد من الدول الأفريقية، بما فيها السودان، بهدف نشر المذهب الشيعي وتعزيز ارتباط هذه المجتمعات بإيران. هذه المؤسسات التعليمية ليست مجرد منصات أكاديمية، بل أدوات لنشر الأيديولوجيا الشيعية وتثبيت النفوذ الإيراني في المجتمعات المحلية. التعليم، إذًا، يُعتبر من أسلحة طهران الناعمة التي تستخدمها لتوسيع نفوذها في أماكن يصعب عليها التدخل فيها مباشرة بالقوة العسكرية.

One of the main (most prominent) methods that Tehran uses to achieve this goal is education through the establishment of schools and universities in several African countries, including Sudan, with the aim of spreading the Shiite doctrine and strengthening these communities’ connection to Iran. These educational institutions are not mere academic platforms, but rather tools aimed at promoting the Shiite ideology and consolidating Iranian influence in local communities. Therefore, education is considered one of Tehran’s soft weapons used to expand its influence in places where it would have been otherwise difficult to enter directly through military force.

Go to vocab Section 2

Section 3

على الجانب السوداني، يوجد ارتباط قديم بين بعض فصائل الإخوان المسلمين في البلاد وإيران. على الرغم من أن هذه الروابط التنظيمية لا تتمتع بالقوة الكبيرة، إلا أن هناك مجموعة صغيرة من أعضاء الإخوان تحمل ولاءً قويًا لإيران وشخصية الخميني، وتتأثر بالمذهب الشيعي. هذا الارتباط الفكري ظهر للمرة الأولى بشكل واضح في جامعة القاهرة فرع الخرطوم، حيث كان يتم التعبير عن هذه الأفكار من خلال نشاطات طلابية وصحف حائطية. وعلى الرغم من أن هذا التيار ظل ضعيفًا وغير مؤثر، إلا أن المتغيرات الحالية في السودان قد تتيح له الظهور مجددًا، خاصة إذا تمكنت إيران من ترسيخ وجودها في البلاد.

On the Sudanese side, there is a long-standing connection between some factions of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country and Iran. Although these organizational links are not very strong, there is a small group of Brotherhood members who have strong loyalty to Iran and the personality of Khomeini and are influenced by Shiism. This ideological connection first appeared clearly at the Khartoum branch of Cairo University, where these ideas were expressed through student activities and wall newspapers. Although this current has remained weak and ineffective, the current changes in Sudan may allow it to re-emerge, especially if Iran is able to establish its presence in the country.

Go to vocab Section 3

Section 4

من ناحية أخرى، تسعى إيران من خلال إشعال الأوضاع في السودان إلى تخفيف الضغوط الداخلية التي تعاني منها. فطهران تعيش أزمة اقتصادية وسياسية خانقة نتيجة العقوبات الدولية المفروضة عليها، إضافة إلى تحديات داخلية متعلقة بالاستقرار الاجتماعي. لذلك، فإن تحريك الصراع خارج حدودها عبر التوسع في السودان سيمنح نظامها بعض الوقت للتنفس داخليًا ويخفف من الضغوط المباشرة عليه. في نفس الوقت، هذا التوسع سيجعل إيران أكثر قربًا من الدول التي ترى فيها تهديدًا لمصالحها، ويمنحها القدرة على التعامل المباشر مع أيّ تهديدات محتملة لأمنها الإقليمي.

On the other hand, Iran seeks, by igniting the situation in Sudan, to alleviate the internal pressures it is suffering from. Tehran is experiencing a stifling economic and political crisis as a result of international sanctions imposed on it, in addition to internal challenges related to social stability. Therefore, moving the conflict outside its borders by expanding in Sudan will give its regime some time to breathe internally and relieve the direct pressures on it. At the same time, this expansion will bring Iran closer to the countries it sees as a threat to its interests, and give it the ability to deal directly with any potential threats to its regional security.

Go to vocab Section 4

Section 5

إيران إذًا لا ترى في السودان مجرد فرصة جغرافية وسياسية، بل تعتبره نقطة انطلاق نحو تحقيق مكاسب إستراتيجية على المدى البعيد، سواء على مستوى التوسع في أفريقيا أو على مستوى التحكم في البحر الأحمر وتعزيز نفوذها الإقليمي.

Iran does not see in Sudan a mere geographic and political opportunity, but rather considers it a starting point towards achieving strategic gains in the long term, whether in terms of expansion in Africa or in terms of controlling the Red Sea and strengthening its regional influence.

Go to vocab Section 5

Vocabulary list

All the words in the above article marked in color can be found in this table with explanations.

If you are unfamiliar with the verb system used in the Hans Wehr dictionary (Roman numerals, I-X), click here for a short and simplified overview.