- preg_replace: documentation ( source)
<?php
echo preg_replace('@(?=\pL)@u', '*', 'م'), PHP_EOL; // prints: '*م' ✓
echo preg_replace('@(?=\pL)@u', '*', 'ض'), PHP_EOL; // prints: '*ض' ✓
echo preg_replace('@(?=\pL)@u', '*', 'غ'), PHP_EOL; // prints: '*�*�' ✗
echo preg_replace('@(?=\pL)@u', '*', 'ص'), PHP_EOL; // prints: '*�*�' ✗