Places
This Asian mountain range partitions the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau.
What are the Himalayas?
This variation of tea derives its name from northern Chinese root word, Persian suffix and was introduced to English through Hindi.
What is chai?
Observed during the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar, this month is observed internationally as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community as a commemoration of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) first reveltion.
What is Ramadan?
Salaam/Shalom/Namaste/Adaab/Barev all mean this in MENASA languages.
This Egyptian singer famously sang the lyrics “Habibi ya nour el ein.”
Who is Amr Diab?
This wall, located in Jerusalem, is a site of pilgrimage for Jewish people, whose prayers are either recited or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall.
What is the Western/Wailing Wall?
This South Asian fried or baked pastry has a savory filling that may include spiced potatoes, peas, meat, lentils and more. It may take different shapes depending on the region, but the most common is a triangular shape.
What is a samosa/sambusa?
This major Jewish holiday, held on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, marks the first month of spring. Usual observations include fasting, eating unleavened matzah bread, and feasting during Seder.
What is Passover/Pesach?
Literally means “If God wills it” in Arabic, but also used to indicate something may or may not happen.
What is Inshallah?
This activist for female education survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban and is also the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Who is Malala Yousefzai?
Meaning "The Cube" in Arabic, this building is considered by Muslims to be the house of God; it rests within the Grand Mosque of Mecca.
What is the Ka'abah?
This dessert has multiple names across different cultures and includes deep-fried maida flour soaked in sugar syrup.
What is Jalebi/Zulaibia?
Recognized as the Iranian New Year, this Iranian holiday begins on the spring equinox and encompasses a number of cultural practices, including charshanbe suri (jumping over bonfires) and sizdah bedar (outdoor picnics).
What is Nowruz?
While ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks developed early forms of this branch of math, medieval Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi would ultimately give it this Arabic name that we call it to this day.
What is Algebra?
This actress and model is best known for her roles in the TV shows Black-ish and Grown-ish and is also of mixed race heritage.
Who is Yara Shahidi?
This mosque, located in Jerusalem, is the third holiest site in Islam and was the original kiblah.
What is Al-Aqsa?
Originating in the Ottoman Empire and later modified by the Greek, this dessert includes filo pastry, chopped nuts, and honey or syrup. Regional variations may differ.
What is baklava?
Known colloquially as the "Festival of Colors", this ancient Indian festrival celebrates the arrival of spring and the divine spirit of Radha Krishna. A popular celebrations include smearing each other with colors and drenching them with water.
What is Holi?
This popular hot beverage’s name in English has origins in Arabic and entered our vocabulary through Turkish and Dutch. (hint: Qahwah in Arabic)
What is coffee?
This scholar coined the contemporary definition of “orientalism” and was a founder of the academic field of post-colonial studies.
Who is Edward Said?
This river, shared between both Indian and Bangladeshi territories, is a holy site for Hindus.
This is a blend of thyme and olive oil. It may also include sesame seeds, sumac and other ingredients in its different regional variations.
What is zaatar?
Celebrated over five days, this Indian festival of lights symbolizes the triumph of "light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance."
What is Diwali?
This sweet English word has origins from Arabic as Sukkar and Sanskrit as Sharkara.
What is sugar?
These Palestinian activists were recognized as two of TIME’s 100 people of the year because of their ongoing efforts to save their neighborhood Sheikh-Jarrah.
Who are Mohammed and Mona El-Kurd?