Where are you from Russel?
Are you from an english speaking country?
If so imagine every time you went to church you would hear the bible in "arabic" even though you don't understand it.
How would you feel about that?
Again - this is down to me. Do I care enough? I cared enough to initially learn enough Surahs so that I could do my prayers. I didn't know what they meant - but, as with anything else...I took it up on myself to make the effort to learn it.
I am not an Arab and as such Arabic is not my 1st language. I like reciting the Quran - that is, I like how it sounds to the ear. The adhan (when given by someone with a great voice) gives me goosebumps. I am not sure, how 'nice' it would be to recite Surah Fatiha in English.
Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil ‘alameen
Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem Maaliki yaumid Deen
Iyyaaka na’abudu wa iyyaaka nasta’een
Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an ‘amta’ alaihim
Ghairil maghduubi’ alaihim waladaaleen
Aameen
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.
Amen.
There is a cadence, a rhythm, a flow to it in Arabic. Reciting the transliteration in English while praying? Not for me, thanks.