How to Greet Someone in Arabic

This year, I am taking Arabic Language and Culture through GOA. I chose to take the class because I really wanted to take the opportunity to learn about a culture and people from which the U.S. is very disconnected. Arabic-speaking people are often villainized, especially through accusations of terrorism, and there is currently unrest in the Arabic-speaking world, especially in Syria. The highest percentage of refugees in the EU are currently from Syria. What you might not know is that the most common language spoken by refugees in the U.S. is Arabic. In the absence of a warm welcome from our government, I think it is the responsibility of the American people to make sure refugees feel welcome here, and one way to do that is to greet them in their own language. So, here are a few Arabic words you can use if you meet someone newly arrived in the U.S. from an Arabic-speaking country.

Hello (the first time)	mar-Haba	مرحبا
Hello (in response to someone else)	ah-lan	أهلين
My name is ...	ana ismi	آنا اسمي
Pleased to meet you	tasharafna	تشرفنا
Goodbye!	ma-salama	مع السلامة

The most important word: Hello!