FAQ

riyal: the currency of Saudi Arabia

abaya: a robe covering the whole body except the head, feet, and hands

margoog: an Arabia stew of meat, flour and vegetables

Sabians: an Arabian religious group of the 7th century CE, mentioned in the Qu'ran. Their exact beliefs are debated by historians; they may have been Manichaeans.

surah: a chapter in the Qu'ran

ayat: a verse in the Qu'ran

tajwid: the traditional pronunciation of the Qu'ran

tarteel: hymnodic recitation of the Qu'ran

Outsiders might be confused by the reference to a family member standing for election. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, with virtually all political power in the hands of the king and his family, but there are local elections for town and city councils, which have responsibility for certain local government functions; an election was held in 2011, around the time "Wadjda" is set.

One was drawing on herself, on her leg where it wouldn't show. They were scrambling to hide the pens, but the teacher thought they were touching each other sexually.