Who is Umar?

Who Am I?

I am Algorithmikos. The first line of code I ever wrote was at the age of eleven, yet my earliest intellectual awakening came through languages: Arabic, Turkish, German, and English. This movement between human tongues later ran parallel to my exploration of programming languages—never as isolated realms, but as varied instruments of thought. I value structured thinking—not as a rigid mould, but as an approach that allows me to engage with knowledge of all kinds in an orderly way. I do not belong to a single domain; rather, I weave a coherent thread through many fields.

Programming and Systems Development

My first steps in code were through modifying vBulletin forums, followed by an early acquaintance with WordPress in my youth. Yet this initial spark did not become a clear path until years after graduating from university—when I returned to programming with a different awareness and a pressing need. It all began with Obsidian, the knowledge management app, where I discovered Dataview—a plugin that allows querying in a language akin to SQL. I had not set out to learn programming, but necessity drew me in, one step at a time, until I had learnt JavaScript, then TypeScript, and eventually React. I was not dabbling with tools—I was building what I truly needed. Every skill I acquired grew from a real problem I was trying to solve.

Education and Academic Background

I spent twelve years in the institutes of Al-Azhar, steeped in classical Arabic literature and traditional Islamic scholarship. Later, I joined the Faculty of Languages and Translation. I began my studies in the Urdu and Persian department for a year, before choosing to specialise in German Language and Literature, where I completed my degree. This shift was not a detour but a continuation of a multilingual path—one that taught me to see language not merely as a system of signs, but as a lens through which cultures may be understood.

Teaching and Knowledge Transmission

I teach Arabic to non-native speakers, alongside Qur’anic studies and Islamic disciplines. I also teach English and German to Arab students. Yet my foundation in teaching is not drawn from certificates alone, but from a genuine desire to simplify, to connect knowledge with the learner’s life. I always strive to teach in the manner I once wished to be taught.

Translation and Editorial Work

I approach texts with linguistic and cultural awareness. I do not merely translate words—I evoke tone and context, asking myself always: will the reader feel this was written for them? This question becomes all the more vital when reviewing AI-generated content, which so often lacks a human voice.

A Glimpse of My Character and Identity

My heritage is both Arab and Turkish—an integral part of my cultural formation. I cherish these roots, whilst also building bridges to all that is human and wide in scope. I do not care for pretence or noise. I lean toward order, and choose my tools with discernment. I strive for my choices to reflect an inner identity, not a polished façade. I write, build, and teach. I make no claim to perfection. Perhaps the best one could say of me is that I remain true to what I believe, and give more than is asked. That, to me, is enough—and quite all right to be known by.