New emoji of Arab hand gesture comes to Android

Google launched its latest version of the mobile operating system Android yesterday with the addition of a new set of emojis including a Middle Eastern hand gesture.

The pinched fingers hand gesture, common among Arab and Mediterranean cultures, can mean ‘wait a minute’, ‘relax’ or the more ominous ‘wait until I get to you’.

Arab moms are going to have a field day with this one. https://t.co/KWbiDaEiep

— Valk @TOVesperia (@awhii2115) September 9, 2020

https://twitter.com/michaelsaoma/status/1303435265285947394?s=20

Italians, who are known for frequently using the same hand gesture, were also pleased at the announcement. with many social media users from around the world celebrating the stereotype.

https://twitter.com/5alentine/status/1303559258215272450

Emoji have become more inclusive and representative in recent years, with additions last year offering a hearing aid, wheelchair, prosthetic arm, seeing-eye dog and others, as well as more skin tone options.

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