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Question
Ms. Clausen-
I am taking a beginning Arabic course while deployed to Iraq. I was hoping you may know of somewhere online that I may be able to download the Arabic alphabet for Microsoft Word. I do not have an Arabic keyboard, so I'm not sure if this would work with a standard English keyboard. Is this question in your expertise, or should I ask a computer expert?
Shukran
-Melissa Golschneider
Greetings Melissa, and thanks for your question. So far as I know, all recent Microsoft Word programs should already have the characters built into the 'fonts' section. It's not always labeled as Arabic, so check through your fonts section to be sure.
When you don't have an Arabic keyboard, it may take a little getting used to before learning where the keys go. Some correspond directly to their English counterparts; others not so much. I basically did my own 'typing drills' and made a character map by working across my keyboard and then down to see what character went where. Your Arabic instructor may also know some tricks for getting to the right letter/character.
Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!
peace,
Le Anne
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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