November 14th Cultural Night

In the Kitchen

100

This aromatic rice dish layered with spiced meat, saffron, and fried onions is a South Asian favorite.

Biryani

200

Which nut is used to make marzipan?

Almond

300

What is Egypt's national dish made from a mixture of rice, macaroni, and lentils, topped with a spicy tomato sauce, chickpeas, and crispy fried onions

Koshary

400

This sweet, warm spice used for chai or cakes comes from the seed of a tropical tree and is a staple of Western holiday baked goods. Its name is also a soccer term.

Nutmeg

500

How many tablespoons are in a cup?

16 

Battles and Empires

100

This empire, founded by Osman I, lasted over 600 years and at its peak ruled lands from Southeast Europe to North Africa.
 

Ottoman Empire

200

Although the Muslims were outnumbered, this was the first major battle between Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca, but ultimately the Muslims won.

Battle of Badr

300

The Umayyad Caliphate established its capital in this city which is currently the longest, continuous world capital.

Damascus, Syria

400

This Battle of Hattin in 1187, led by this fierce Muslim warrior, recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders and is still celebrated as a symbol of unity and chivalry.

Salahuddin al-Ayyubi

500

The Battle of the Yarmouk was a major battle, and crucial point in the Muslim conquest of the Levant. It was fought between the Muslim forces of the Rashidun Caliphate, and which Empire?

Bonus point: who led the battle?

Byzantine Empire

Lead by "Saif Allah" Khalid ibn al-Walid

Historic Islamic Figures

100

Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari was born in which modern day country?

Uzbekistan

Imam al-Bukhari (810–870 CE) was one of the most respected Islamic scholars in history, best known for compiling Sahih al-Bukhari, the most authentic collection of the sayings and actions (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

200

Though not related to John, this Muslim polymath is known as the “Father of Modern Medicine,” and wrote The Canon of Medicine, which was used in Europe for centuries.

{Must give Arabic name, not Latinized version}

Ibn Sina

Fun fact: The Canon of Medicine was written in the 11th century and became the standard medical reference in both the Muslim world and Europe for over 600 years. 

300

While trying to calculate the value of my bank account after buying a chai with cold foam, this Arab scholar is credited with popularizing the use of zero within the Arab world and transmitting it to Europe, which led to its widespread adoption

Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī  

400

Which companion of the Prophet (PBUH), originally from Persia, suggested digging a trench around Medina during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq)?

Salman al-Farsi

500

This legendary traveler from Morocco journeyed more than 70,000 miles (about 1.23 million football fields) — from West Africa to China — and documented it all in his famous Rihla.

Ibn Battuta

Coffee Culture

100

The world’s first coffeehouses, called Kiva Han, appeared in this intercontinental city in the 1500s.

Istanbul

200

Legend says coffee was discovered in this East African country — also the birthplace of The Weeknd’s parents — when a goat herder noticed his animals dancing after eating coffee cherries.

Ethiopia

300

While the Arabs brewed qahwa from beans, Pashtuns in this region between Pakistan and Afghanistan brewed kehwa from green tea leaves.

Khyber Pass

400

This Yemeni port city gave its name to a popular chocolate-flavored coffee drink enjoyed around the world today.

Mocha

500

This country, which has the highest population of people with Lebanese decent, produces the most coffee, accounting for nearly 40% of the world's supply

Brazil...which also has a larger population of people with Lebanese ancestry than Lebanon itself.

 

Potpourri

100

This Studio Ghibli film features a young girl who becomes trapped in a mysterious bathhouse run by spirits.

Spirited Away

200

What is the state dance of New Jersey?

Square Dance

300

Which tax form is used by independent contractors and freelancers to report income from clients?

(Provide the 4-character reference name)

1099

400

Ozymandias is a sonnet published in 1818 that inspired the name of Season 5, Episode 14 of which hit show starring Brian Cranston?

Breaking Bad

500

This 1999 movie starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles is a modern adaptation of the Shakespearean play The Taming of the Shrew.

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