Geography
This country is known for cities like Riyadh and Mecca and is the largest country by area on the Arabian Peninsula.
What is Saudi Arabia?
This traditional checkered scarf, often worn in Palestine and Jordan, is a symbol of national identity and resistance.
What is a kuffiyeh?
This 7th-century religious and political leader founded Islam and unified much of the Arabian Peninsula
Prophet Muhammad
This is made from mashed chickpeas or fava beans, is often enjoyed in pita or flatbread, topped with tahini, pickles, and fresh vegetables. It’s believed to have been eaten by ancient Egyptians as a meatless alternative during fasting.
Falafel
This desert, the largest in the world, covers much of North Africa.
What is the Sahara Desert?
What is the name of the body of water known for its extreme salinity that lies between Palestine and Jordan?
The Dead Sea
This loose, long robe worn by many men across the Arabian Peninsula is often white to reflect the heat.
What is a thobe (or dishdasha)?
What decade did the Ottoman Empire officially fall?
1920's
What is a savory dish made by layering rice, meat, and vegetables in a pot. After cooking, it’s flipped over.
Maqluba
What are some of the importances of oil to the Middle East and how is it used
It is serving as a primary economic driver and source of revenue for many nations in the region
What is the name of the capital city known as "City of a Thousand Minarets"?
Cairo
The blue eye symbol, often worn as jewelry or stitched into clothing in MENA cultures, is known as this, and is believed to protect against bad luck and envy.
What is the nazar (or evil eye)?
This era, spanning roughly from the 8th to the 13th century, saw major advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy centered around cities like Baghdad.
What is the Islamic Golden Age?
What dish made with lamb/chicken, consists of rice, nuts, and spices, and is typically served at festive occasions?
kabsa/machboos
What is the name of a dance performed at celebrations like weddings is known for its fluid movements, particularly involving the hips and torso
belly dancing
The Levantine Sea is a part of a larger sea that borders countries like Syria and Lebanon, what is the name of this sea?
Mediterranean Sea
What is the Arabic word for the traditional Palestinian embroidery used in thobes?
Tatreez
What famous city, once a major center of the Islamic Caliphate and culture, was sacked by the Mongols in 1258, marked the end of the Abbasid Caliphate?
Baghdad
What sweet is made of thin layers of dough filled with chopped nuts and sweet syrup and is often served at weddings and special occasions?
baklava
What social media influencer from the UAE has amassed millions of followers and is known for her fashion and beauty tutorials + makeup brand?
Huda Kattan
What Levantine country has the ancient cities of Byblos and Tyre?
Lebanon
In North African countries like Morocco and Algeria, this traditional hooded cloak made of wool protects against cold and sand.
What is a djellaba (or jellaba)?
In order from first to last, name the three major historical caliphates (that came after the Rashidun) that ruled the Islamic world.
What are the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman Caliphates?
What food is made from chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and parsley, is dressed with olive oil and lemon juice?
tabbouleh
What is the ancient form of Islamic art, which features intricate geometric patterns and stylized floral motifs, is often seen in mosques and palaces?
arabesque