Allahu akbar" is an Arabic phrase that translates to "God is greater." In the wake of a deadly attack in New York on Tuesday, this inherently spiritual phrase is being used in a different context: to signify a link to political terrorism. Contraryto what many people seem to think, the words "Allahu Akbar" simply mean "God is greater." It is a powerful declaration used by Muslims on many occasions and in many prayers. It is a celebration of life, the first words fathers whisper in the ears of their newborns. InSemitic linguistics, the elative (اِسْمُ تَفْضِيلٍ‎) - noun of preference - is a stage of gradation in Arabic that can be used both for a comparative or superlative in Arabic. Thus, it denotes greater or greatest. Why is the translation ambiguous? Allahuakbar is a phrase said by Muslims in prayers and greetings, but has also been yelled by terrorists. Scott Simon speaks with playwright Wajahat Ali about his op-ed, "I Want 'Allahu fwp8f.

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