Meet the new Arab emojis perking up Dubai`s WhatsApp chats

by Dramelin 2:00 AM 0 comments

Yasmine`s example: "A lot of people here say `Inshallah, inshallah! "Image copyright HALLA WALLA Image caption The Ardah sword dance - emojifiedImage copyright HALLA WALLA Image caption Hair tossing is a feature of traditional dance for some Arab womenThe flying slipperThe HALLA creators burst out laughing when asked about this one.
In the Gulf, though, users have hit a problem: There are no Arab emojis - unless you count a generic turban-wearing guy, who could equally be a Sikh.
"Image copyright HALLA WALLA Image caption Inshallah is one of the app`s most used word emojisSword dancing manIt`s a vaguely menacing man waving a sword over his head.
`"Image copyright HALLA WALLA Image caption Shway shway is a common phrase and a firm favourite on the appInshallah"Inshallah" is Arabic for "god willing", and an everyday phrase in the Gulf.