12 My Family, My Greatest Wealth

عائلتي هي أغلى ثروة

Riyad |

Saudi Arabia

Arabic

Behind the scenes

Saudi Arabia inspires me through the central place it gives to personal relationships. It is often said that relationships matter as much as, if not more than, contracts. Friendship, family, and almost familial alliances shape both social and professional life.

This text was born from that reflection: what if our true wealth were neither financial nor material, but relational? These bonds that provide security, trust, and continuity. The shared meal around the sufrah, seated on the ground, becomes more than just a convivial moment.

Echoes of the world

Arabic in Saudi Arabia moves between the classical language-الفصحى (al-fuṣḥā), the language of the Qur’an and formal texts-and everyday dialects. This coexistence gives speech a particular depth: the sacred and the familiar intertwine.

The word ثروة (tharwa) means “wealth.” Tharwati (ثروتي) means “my wealth.” Here, it refers not to gold or material possessions, but to family.
The word السُّفرة (as-sufrah) refers to the cloth or large mat placed on the ground around which a meal is shared. People sit together, often in a circle. It is not just a place to eat: it is a space for conversation, transmission, and cohesion.

In a world where isolation comes easily, this physical closeness becomes a powerful cultural act.