Thursday the Friendly: The secret behind the name, its history among the Arabs, and its most famous events

Thursday holds a special place in Arab memory and popular sentiment, becoming known as "Thursday the Joyful," a term that trends on social media platforms weekly. This association with joy is not a recent phenomenon; its roots run deep in Arab history, specifically in the pre-Islamic era.

Origin of the name: from “companion” to “friend”

The name “Thursday of Companionship” originates from the name given to this day by the Arabs in pre-Islamic times, which is “Mu’nis .” This name comes from the linguistic root “uns,” as the Arabs found solace, enjoyment, and companionship on this day after a full week of hard work, herding, and trade.

The naming of the days of the week among the Arabs was not arbitrary, but rather reflected their social and psychological state. They named the days as follows: (Awwal, Ahwan, Jubar, Dubar, Mu'nis, 'Aruba, Shiyar). The day of "Mu'nis" (Thursday) was the day when spirits were lifted, and families and tribes would gather for conversation and socializing, making it a day that dispelled loneliness and brought companionship.

The psychological and social dimension of Thursday

This positive view of Thursday has persisted throughout the ages to this day. In contemporary culture, particularly in the Gulf countries and the Arab world, Thursday serves as a bridge, allowing people to transition from the pressures of work to the relaxation of the weekend. Although the weekend has shifted in some countries to Friday and Saturday, Thursday evenings retain their initial charm, marked by numerous weddings, feasts, and family visits, thus cementing the association of Thursday with the term "the pleasant one" in the collective consciousness.

A historical paradox: Thursday between joy and dark events

Despite the festive and joyous nature of Thursday in Arab culture, world and Arab history have recorded tragic events that occurred on this day, some of which have become known as "Black Thursday," a striking irony between the name and the event. Among the most prominent of these events are:

• The Wall Street Crisis (1929): Known globally as “Black Thursday,” it is October 24, 1929, which witnessed the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, leading the world into the era of the Great Depression, an economic crisis whose effects extended to most countries of the world.
• The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait (1990): In the memory of the Arabian Gulf, Thursday, August 2, 1990, holds a painful significance, marking the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. It became known as Black Day not only because of the invasion itself, but also because of the burning of oil wells (such as those in Ahmadi and Nuwaiseeb), which created a black cloud that obscured the sun for hours, and rained down black, polluted droplets.
• Events in Tunisia (1978): On January 26, 1978, Tunisia witnessed what became known as Black Thursday, following a general strike called for by the Tunisian General Labour Union, which turned into bloody clashes between demonstrators and security forces, leaving dozens of victims.

In conclusion, “Thursday the Nice” or “Comfortable” remains a symbol of comfort and joy in the Arab cultural heritage, resisting the memories of the harsh historical events that happened to occur on it, to prove that man’s desire for joy and companionship is stronger than the coincidences of history.