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Is no one having problems with this one?

I found this difficult to get into but I am nearing the end now, having found the phrase (two words 7 and 6).11a and 40a are baffling me and there seem to be many alternatives for filling the 28 cells, making that part difficult.

40a I have done. I think all the perimeter answers are normal answers but I can't solve 41a.
40a is Ayesha if that helps you.

Eventually managed to finish but struggled for some time. 11a is a three letter word beginning with G. 41 is a less common meaning of decline beginning with S and ending with T.

For 40 A I have AY[blankcell]SHA.

"Arabic Meaning: The name Aysha is an Arabic baby name. In Arabic the meaning of the name Aysha is: Woman. Life. Aisha was the name of the favorite wife of the prophet Mohammed."

There is no blank cell in 40, answer is Ayesha - anagram of has after aye (always)

'ay' is an alternative spelling of 'aye'
I can't find a def of 'ayesha' that matches the def in the clue.

Google gives it as an Arabic/Muslim name with the meaning alive and prospering woman

Sorry Nelson, forgot to say all the blanks are in second row/column in apart from the corner ones.

Thanks, all, for AYESHA. I couldn't find it because it's not in Chambers. I'm kicking myself over 11a - I was trying to find a 4-letter word even though I can see where the blanks lie.