Urdu - Non-secular Character of Urdu

Non-secular Character of Urdu

Urdu has some peculiar characteristics where use of certain words is reserved for Muslims. Shaheed (شہید ) is essentially meant to be used for Muslim martyrs and marhoom (مرحوم ) (meaning in position of mercy - Urdu equivalent of "late") is to be used only before Muslim names. On the other hand, the word used to describe a dead non-Muslim is anjahani (آنجہانی), a Persian coinage and it means the deceased person belongs to the other world. If somebody describes a dead Muslim as anjahani, that person is most likely to be rebuked.

Read more about this topic:  Urdu

Famous quotes containing the word character:

    When one walks, one is brought into touch first of all with the essential relations between one’s physical powers and the character of the country; one is compelled to see it as its natives do. Then every man one meets is an individual. One is no longer regarded by the whole population as an unapproachable and uninteresting animal to be cheated and robbed.
    Aleister Crowley (1875–1947)