geography & capitals
whose dish is it anyway?
MENA stars
brain teaser
traditions & superstitions
100

This North African country is home to the Pyramids of Giza.

What is Egypt?

100

This creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice is a classic. Whose dish is it?

What is the Middle East? (hummus) 

First recorded in 13th-century Egypt but most associated today with the Levant, especially Palestine and Lebanon

100

This Lebanese singer became one of the Arab world’s biggest pop stars with songs like Ah w Noss and Ya Tabtab.

Who is Nancy Ajram? (Lebanon) 

100

i stretch across eleven countries and am the longest river in the world. what am i?

What is the nile river?

100

Across the Arab world, this color bead or charm is used to protect against the “evil eye.”

What is blue? 

(The blue bead or eye charm is worn from Egypt to Lebanon to Morocco.)

200

Beirut is the capital of this country known for its cedar trees.

What is Lebanon?

200

Layers of thin pastry, chopped nuts, and sweet syrup make this dessert famous during holidays and celebrations.

What is the Middle East? (baklava) 

Origin traces back to Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

200

This Egyptian football player became an international icon for his humble personality and goal-scoring streak with Liverpool.

Who is Mohamed Salah? (Egypt)

200

i’m the ancient kingdom located in what is now northern sudan, famous for having more pyramids than egypt. what am i?

what is the kingdom of kush?

200

In many homes, people burn this fragrant wood or resin to bless a new space or chase away bad energy.

What is incense? 

(Called bakhour in Arabic, common in Sudan, the Gulf, and Egypt.)

300

This Middle Eastern country’s capital is Amman, meaning "safe" and "peaceful" in Arabic, and it borders Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

What is Jordan? 

300

A popular street food made of rice, lentils, pasta, and fried onions that Egyptians proudly call their national dish.

What is North Africa? 

Koshari originated in Cairo, Egypt, in the late 1800s.

300

These Palestinian-American sisters are two of the world’s top fashion models, known for walking the runways of Versace, Chanel, and Dior.

Who are Bella and Gigi Hadid? (Palestine)

300

this country is home to the tallest building in the world. what country am i?

what is the uae?

300

Before traveling or starting something important, people often say “bismillah.” It means this.

What is “In the name of God”? 

(Said for blessing and protection throughout the MENA region.)

400

The Atlas Mountains stretch across Morocco, Algeria, and this third North African country.

What is Tunisia?

400

Grape leaves stuffed with rice, vegetables, or meat, known as dolma or warak ʕnab.

What is the Middle East? 

Stuffed grape leaves originated in the Levant and Mesopotamia, with early versions from ancient Iraq and Syria. 

400

This global superstar from Colombia often highlights her Lebanese roots through her music and dance, especially in songs like Ojos Así.

Who is Shakira? (Lebanon through her father’s side)

400

i’m a dish whose name literally means “mixture” or “mix.” what food am i?

what is koshari?

400

When someone compliments a baby, new house, or outfit, people might quickly add this phrase to keep bad luck away.

What is “mashallah”? 

(Used across Arabic-speaking countries to ward off envy.)

500

This country has two capitals (one administrative, one constitutional) and borders both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

What is Yemen? 

500

A dish made of steamed semolina topped with vegetables or meat that’s served weekly in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

What is North Africa? 

Couscous originated among the people of Morocco and Algeria around the 11th century. 

500

This man was the son of a Syrian immigrant and became one of the most influential figures in technology.

Who is Steve Jobs? (Syria through his father, Abdulfattah Jandali)

500

i am a symbol found on several mena country flags, representing unity and guidance. what am i?

what is the crescent moon and star?

500

In some Palestinian and Jordanian homes, after complimenting a baby or something beautiful, people pretend to do this three times to keep away envy.  

What is spitting or saying “tf tf tf”? (A playful way to ward off the evil eye.)

M
e
n
u