Uloomak
The word «majlis» means a place for sitting, and in the Emirati dialect it is pronounced «mailis». But it is more than a room: guests are received there, problems are solved, condolences are offered and weddings are held. UNESCO inscribed it in 2015 as a cultural and social space.[1][2][3][4]
Its names, its kinds and its place in the home
Other names for the majlis in the UAE include al barza, al sabla and al hadhira. It used to be classed by its surroundings as a desert, coastal or mountain majlis, and in the past it was linked to the trades of its owners and guests, such as pearl merchants and fishermen.[2]
The majlis is usually built at the front of the house, away from the rooms, to protect the family's privacy, and its doors were kept open and faced outwards so that a guest never had to knock. The women's majlis was inside the main part of the house. A traditional majlis has carpets on the floor and cushions set against the walls.[2][3]
On arrival: «bil gass wala bil khass?»
The guest comes in saying «Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh», then asks: «bil gass wala bil khass?». If the host replies «bil gass», the guest greets everyone present, starting from the right; if he replies «bil khass», the guest goes straight to greet one particular person.[2]
One form of Emirati greeting is the nose greeting, followed by a handshake, an embrace and the greeting of peace.[5]
Hospitality
Hospitality in the majlis begins with Arabic coffee. Part of an Emirati host's generosity is that he never asks a guest why he has come or when he will leave.[2][1]
On leaving
The guest thanks his host by saying «kaththar Allah khairkum», or «aghnaitu», a prayer that the host be blessed with goodness and plenty.[2]
«Majalis are schools»
Emiratis say «al majalis madaris» — majalis are schools — because traditions and values are learned there and passed between generations. According to UNESCO, young people learn from their elders in the majlis how to talk, listen and respect other people's opinions; children learn its traditions by going along with adults on their visits; and the elderly are the true bearers of its knowledge.[2][3]
Sheikh Zayed's majlis
Sheikh Zayed sometimes held his majlis in the shade of a tree in the courtyard of his palace in Al Ain. When he became Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, his majlis moved to his palace in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, and it remained open to everyone.[2]
Test yourself
Three questions from the article. Answer, then tap «Show the answer».
After saying «Assalamu alaikum» on entering the majlis, what does the guest ask?
- A«Where is the host?»
- B«Bil gass wala bil khass?»
- C«How are you all?»
- D«Where shall I start?»
Show the answer
Correct answer: B) «Bil gass wala bil khass?»
What does «aghnaitu», said by a guest on leaving, mean?
- AA request for another cup
- BA prayer that the host be blessed with goodness and plenty
- CAn apology for being late
- DAn invitation to visit
Show the answer
Correct answer: B) A prayer that the host be blessed with goodness and plenty
How is «majlis» pronounced in the Emirati dialect?
- ADiwaniya
- BMailis
- CSaala
- DMadhafa
Show the answer
Correct answer: B) Mailis
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