Arabic NON-unicode fonts - Easy Char Mapping?

[Brian Chabot]

Does anyone know of an *easy* way to use normal letters *and* numbers to
display their Arabic counterparts?

Yes, Unicode has Arabic... but it's all mapped outside the normal range
of a US keyboard's single keypress range.

Basically I'd like to hit the "a" key for instance and see an 'alif
(unicode 0627h) or "b" and see an Arabic ba (unicode 0628h)...  Also the
same with typing a 1 and seeing an Arabic numeral 1 (like a, unicode
0627h) there.

Yes, one *could* temporarily remap a keyboard.  Yes, one *could* create
some sort of macro system... These are not "easy" solutions.  A font
that already does this would be much easier.  Add it to a bidi
compatible program and you're all set.

Why?  Because a friend of mine is taking a class in Arabic and wants to
have an easier time typing it out.... without splurging for a new
keyboard etc.

Yes, this is for Linux, so TTF would be nice...

Thanks,

Brian