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Middle East History

The Mission to Find Cleopatra

By: Karizma Avila / Arab America Contributing Writer Cleopatra’s intelligence was one of the many traits that guided her successful reign in ancient Egypt. Ensuring no man would ever find her tomb, she has outsmarted experts for centuries in their search to find her. Her intelligence is still remarkable today, as a woman-led archaeologist team … Continued

Pope Francis Makes Historic First Papal Visit to Bahrain

By: Claire Boyle / Arab America Contributing Writer Introduction: Earlier this month, Pope Francis made a historic first papal visit to the country of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf from November 3-6, 2022. Never before has any pope visited Bahrain, a country with an almost seventy-percent Muslim majority. Interestingly enough, Bahrain also happens to have … Continued

Yemen’s Famous Sword: The Jambiya

By: Menal Elmaliki / Arab America Contributing Writer In the capital city of Sanaa, Yemen, men saunter around the square dressed head to toe in traditional fashion and garb. Traditional garb is composed of mashada, lungi, and jambiya.  It is usually worn on special occasions but many Yemeni men prefer to wear it daily. The … Continued

The Meaning Behind Arab Country Names

By: Mariam Alyakoob / Arab America Contributing Writer Have you ever wondered where country names come from and what they mean? In the case of Arab countries, many of their names are deeply rooted in their history, and in this article we are going to explore the meaning behind different Arab country names to understand … Continued

Hadji Ali and the U.S. Army Camel Corps

By: Malorie Lewis / Arab America Contributing Writer Arab and Muslim participation in the United States military dates back as far as the inception of this young nation. Muslim slaves are noted as defending the colonies against Great Britain in the early stages of the Revolution, they participated in the Civil War, and the World … Continued

The History of Arabic Calligraphy

By: Caroline Umphlet / Arab American contributing writer Overview Arabic calligraphy is more than just writing Arabic in an elegant way. It is better described as a culturally rich art form that expresses the beauty of the Arabic language into a visual form.  The exact origins of the Arabic manuscript are widely debated, whether it … Continued

House Architecture of the Middle East: The Traditional Syrian Courtyard

Arab America contributing writer, Menal Elmaliki, explores one of Syria’s famous architecture and design, the courtyard house. In the old city of Damascus, a city of rich history and beautiful and unique architecture, lies centuries old traditional houses that date back three millennia ago. Despite the grand allure of a courtyard house, it has become a rarity in modern/contemporary Syrian architecture. What was once an essential part of Syrian culture is now slowly disappearing.

The History of the Bidet

By: Menal Elmaliki/ Arab America Contributing Writer The bidet is often described as a mythical, ethereal bowl that is half toilet half tub. From the usage of just water, to the pony, to the modern day bidet, the concept of hygiene and cleanliness has evolved over time. The bidet is a modern tool that is … Continued

Booza: Syria’s Famous Stretchy Ice-Cream

By: Menal Elmaliki / Arab America Contributing Writer In the middle of the busy souq, Al Hamdiiyah, located in the old city of Damascus is the famous ice cream shop, Bakdash. The shop has a long history, it was first established in 1895 while Syria was under Ottoman rule. It hosted Ottoman officials who would … Continued

Preserving an Omani Tradition

Oman is a beautiful gulf country situated between 3 bodies of water, the Persian Gulf, the Omani Gulf, and the Arabian Sea. Often referred to as the “The Jewel of Musat,” the dhow, a hand strewn boat, in its grandeur is a testimony of Oman’s beauty, richness of history, culture, and ancient traditions. They’ve earned the name of greatest shipbuilders. Arab America Contributing writer, Menal Elmaliki, writes on the Omanis struggle to revive and preserve a heritage that traces back to the time of the vikings.

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