Building web applications for Arabic-speaking users is a unique journey that doesn't resemble building English-language apps. From the moment I started working on Esma3 Radio, I encountered challenges I hadn't expected. In this article, I'll share the insights I gained from building multiple Arabic apps, and how dealing with Arabic on the web is fundamentally different from any other language.
The first and biggest challenge is RTL (Right-to-Left) support. Arabic is written from right to left, and this affects everything on the page: layout, ordering, icons, and directions. Initially, I was manually reversing everything — margin-left becomes margin-right, and padding too. This was exhausting and a source of many bugs. Then I discovered that Tailwind CSS supports RTL excellently through the rtl: and ltr: utilities. But the bigger problem was with components that change direction: sliders, dropdowns, tooltips — all of these need special attention.
Arabic typography is a challenge on its own. Most web-available fonts are designed for Latin scripts and don't account for Arabic script characteristics. Arabic script needs more horizontal space, and letters connect differently depending on their position in the word. I tried many fonts and found that fonts like Cairo, Tajawal, and Noto Kufi Arabic provide a much better reading experience. But I noticed that loading Arabic fonts affects page speed because Arabic font files are larger than Latin ones.
Cultural considerations are no less important. In Esma3 Radio, adding a Quran section was a fundamental request from Arab users. But adding this section requires respect and attention: text direction, font type, colors used, and how verses are displayed. Everything must be respectful and appropriate. In the Elmokhber app, role names and characters were in Arabic and designed to fit Arab culture.
Localization versus Internationalization is an important distinction. In Tammeny, I made it bilingual (Arabic/English) from the start, and that was the right decision. But mere translation isn't enough — the design itself must adapt. For example, Arabic sentences are 20-30% longer than English ones, which affects spacing, buttons, and cards. Dates and numbers also differ: in Egypt, we use Arabic numerals (١٢٣) while other countries use Western numerals (123).
Arabic user interfaces have special needs. Arab users tend to prefer warm colors and rich designs, unlike the tendency toward extreme minimalism in Western design. In Eah ElKalam, I used warm colors and a vibrant design to suit the nature of Egyptian trends. Arab users also need clear and understandable icons because a large segment of users isn't comfortable with abstract symbols.
One of the most common mistakes I've seen in Arabic apps: neglecting text direction in input fields when the user writes English within an Arabic sentence. Also, the problem of displaying numbers in the same format everywhere. In my apps, I used a library to automatically convert numbers based on the selected language.
My advice for anyone wanting to build an Arabic app: start with RTL design from the beginning — don't wait until the end of the project. Choose Arabic fonts from day one and test them on different screens. And conduct tests with real Arab users to understand their needs. Designing for Arabic isn't just translation — it's a different way of thinking from the start.
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