diff --git a/resource/arabic/OrthoAra.gf b/resource/arabic/OrthoAra.gf
index 011ded71b..62ebc9b58 100644
--- a/resource/arabic/OrthoAra.gf
+++ b/resource/arabic/OrthoAra.gf
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 resource OrthoAra = open Prelude, Predef in {
 
+flags coding=utf8 ;
+
   oper
     
     rectifyHmz: Str -> Str = \word ->
diff --git a/resource/arabic/ParadigmsAra.gf b/resource/arabic/ParadigmsAra.gf
index c9816e952..1d41b4f3e 100644
--- a/resource/arabic/ParadigmsAra.gf
+++ b/resource/arabic/ParadigmsAra.gf
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ resource ParadigmsAra = open
   Predef, 
   Prelude, 
   MorphoAra,
-  OrthoAra,
+  OrthoAra,(ResAra=ResAra),
   CatAra
   in {
 
@@ -206,7 +206,8 @@ resource ParadigmsAra = open
       lock_V = <>
     } ;
   
-  
+  va : Vowel = ResAra.a ;
+
   v1' : Str ->  Vowel -> Vowel -> Verb = 
     \rootStr,vPerf,vImpf ->
     let { root = mkRoot3 rootStr ;