Our Middle East Mother’s Day homage runs against the grain, in cheeky parody ‘classic card’ format and customized ‘from’ Arab-born kids ‘to’ their adorably Arab MaMas. Pull out some of these witty words and silly spoofs to tell your beloved MaMa how much you appreciate her maternal prowess. But, if you’re in the market for typical Hallmark expressions of sentimental devotion and love, click away from this slideshow!
Also, take heed as you might get a slap or worse still that deadly Arabic ‘slipper’ if you’re counting on these wisecracks as gift substitution. From the cheeky quips and jibes, to the cheesy puns and corny jokes, some of these will make you groan.
While the commercialized Mother’s Day gets a lot of traction around the globe, nobody affords it quite as much gravitas and gusto as our Arab kin – who do theirs in earnest on March 21st, greeting Spring and MaMa mania together. Culturally and religiously, the mother is up there in her own unparalleled plane, and you’d better believe that father (BaBa), still the patriarchal king, does not get a look-in.
But click through the cringe-factor, and let the playful jest jive with real respect for motherhood and the maternal holy blessing it wields.
Let’s face it, our Middle Eastern mothers are a whole different ballgame. We are obliged (and guilted) into going all out for Mother’s Day, as well as every day in the calendar – and still that wouldn’t be enough to show our appreciation of these super souls. God bless ‘em. And maybe the Spice Girls said it best in their 90s single, Mama: Mama I love you... Mama my friend...
