A small welcome message written in Hebrew, within a multilingual sign at Nouakchott International Airport , has turned into a public opinion issue in Mauritania, and opened the door to discussion about normalization.
The story began when the young Mauritanian researcher and scholar, Abdul Rahman Al-Nahwi, drew attention to the presence of the phrase (Brukhim Habayim), which means “Welcome” in Hebrew, among a collection of greetings in different international languages displayed inside the airport.
In a widely shared post, the grammarian expressed surprise at the inclusion of Hebrew among the selected languages, arguing that Hebrew is practically synonymous with the State of Israel, and questioning the motives behind its inclusion on a welcome sign inside an airport located in the "Islamic Republic of Mauritania." He also noted that the sign overlooked languages spoken by tens or hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
But as soon as the picture spread, it became a subject of controversy on social media.
A group of commentators went so far as to say that the matter goes beyond mere linguistic diversity or administrative effort, and linked it to the Emirati-Israeli rapprochement that has strengthened in recent years, especially since the (Umm al-Tunisi) airport is operated by the Emirati company “Afroport” under a concession contract that extends for 25 years.
One commentator wrote sarcastically: “The sign means that we welcome the Zionists to our pure land,” while others considered that “the presence of Hebrew reflects a political orientation more than a linguistic choice.”
The comments also included broader theories; some observers felt that choosing Hebrew over other widely spoken languages raised questions about the selection criteria themselves.
Commentator Fakhri Owaisi wrote: “I see Hebrew and other languages being welcomed, but I don’t see Persian, which is spoken by millions of Muslims.”
In contrast, others attempted to reframe the debate within its linguistic context, arguing that Hebrew is a language in its own right, regardless of political stances on Israel. Al-Hadi Muhammad wrote that “the majority of Jews around the world speak the languages of their native countries, and that modern Hebrew is acquired through education, while it remains the official language of the State of Israel.”
Ironically, thousands of Mauritanians who passed through the airport over the years did not notice the phrase, but a single picture on Facebook was enough to make it the most famous Hebrew word in Mauritania within a few days.
While the airport administration has not yet commented on the controversy, the incident confirms once again that the age of social media is capable of turning even the smallest details into a public issue, and that a simple "hello" can sometimes become more controversial than many political speeches.
In a country where the Palestinian cause still holds a special place in the public consciousness, the Hebrew greeting "Marhaba" was not just a word of welcome for many, but a message open to dozens of interpretations and readings, and perhaps for this reason it succeeded in igniting a storm of controversy on social media.
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