#qamis

“Brother! You look… different.”

And indeed, something was different. Ethan stood taller. His posture improved.

Then, out of nowhere, he said:

“السلام عليكم!”

Everyone froze.

“Ethan,” Omar said slowly, “since when do you speak Arabic?”

Arabization Process:

0% — Westmere

Standard Western city: skyscrapers, English-only signs, pop and EDM music.

People wear suits, jeans, and casual Western clothes.

Common male names: John, Adam, Mike, Daniel.

Culture: fast-paced, individualistic, secular.

25% — Early Cultural Influence

Arabic businesses open; bilingual signage appears (English–Arabic).

Cafés start serving Arabic coffee and dates alongside espresso.

Some men adopt light linen tunics inspired by thobes, mainly for fashion.

Names mix: Adam, Kareem, Daniel, Yahya.

Arabic phrases enter daily speech: “Salam,” “Inshallah,” “Habibi.”

Music in public areas starts including oud and Arabic pop.

50% — Midway Hybridization

City renamed Al-Wismar (from Westmere, re-rooted with Arabic root W-S-M = “mark/beauty”).

English still used, but Arabic becomes co-official.

Architecture: arches, domes, and beige stone façades replace plain glass.

Dress code evolves — thobes common for formal or religious occasions; Western casual wear remains elsewhere.

Male names mostly Arabic first names with family surnames from before: Umar, Daniel, Yusuf, Kareem, Al-Wismi.

75% — Cultural Dominance

Arabic dominates government, media, and signage.

Western music replaced with Arabic and Gulf-style rhythms in malls and radio.

Most men wear thobes daily; Western suits seen only in business districts.

Naming structure follows nasab format: Ahmad ibn Kareem al-Wismi.

Street life resembles Gulf cities: open-air markets, evening gatherings, call to prayer heard citywide.

100% — Al-Ma’arah (Arabic root ʿ-M-R = “to build, to cultivate, to enliven”)

City fully Arabized; English remains only in historical or tourist contexts.

Daily life follows Arabic cultural norms — greetings, attire, and hospitality customs.

All men wear thobes; Arabic naming and etiquette standard.

Common names: Elias ibn Omar al-Ma’ari, Abdullah al-Wismi.

"Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence and increases one's noble conduct."