Name That Food
This comfort food layers rice, lentils, and pasta, then tops it with spicy tomato sauce, crispy fried onions, and chickpeas.
What is Koshari
Major global hub, internationally famous for tourism and business
Dubai, UAE
This body of water between Jordan and Palestine is the lowest point on Earth's surface at approximately 430 meters below sea level
The Dead Sea
Originally discovered/cultivated in Yemen (Mocha port), became central to Middle Eastern and global culture
What is Coffee
Meaning "let's go" or "come on," used across most Arabic dialects and widely recognized internationally
Yalla
This dish features lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt sauce called jameed, served over a bed of rice and garnished with pine nuts and almonds.
What is Mansaf
Capital city, well-known for pyramids and ancient history
Cairo, Egypt
This ride-sharing app, founded in Dubai in 2012 by Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson, operates across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan and was acquired by Uber in 2020.
What is Careem
Developed by Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi in Baghdad (modern-day Iraq) during the Islamic Golden Age
What is Algebra
Meaning "my dear/beloved" (masculine/feminine), commonly used across the region as a term of endearment
Habibi/Habibti حبيبي/حبيبتي
This slimy green soup made from jute leaves is a beloved dish across the Levant, typically served with rice or bread and often topped with garlic and coriander.
What is Molokhiya
Historic Mediterranean port city, known as "Paris of the Middle East"
Beirut, Lebanon
Turkish entrepreneur Eren Bali co-founded this online learning platform in 2010, which offers thousands of video courses and has over 50 million students worldwide.
What is Udemy
Known as the 'Jewel of Egypt,' this legendary singer and actress starred in over 30 films and was named one of the greatest Arab singers by UNESCO, with hits like 'Enta Omri.
Who is Umm Kulthum
Meaning "God willing" or "if God wills," used throughout Arabic-speaking countries when referring to future plans
Inshallah (إن شاء الله)
Reserved for special occasions and weddings, this masterpiece contrasts savory spiced meat with sweet cinnamon-sugar topping, all encased in crispy phyllo.
What is Pastilla
Second-largest city in this country and major religious pilgrimage site, less commonly known internationally
Mashhad, Iran
Despite its small size, this Mediterranean country has the highest literacy rate in the Arab world at over 97%, and boasts more books translated per capita than any other Arab nation.
What is Lebenon
Persian mathematician Muhammad al-Khwarizmi's name gave us this English word meaning a step-by-step problem-solving procedure.
What is algorithm?
Meaning "enough," "finished," or "that's it," commonly used in Gulf dialects but varies in usage across regions
Khalas (خلاص)
This 'water börek' features delicate layers of phyllo dough boiled briefly before baking, then filled with white cheese and parsley for a uniquely soft, lasagna-like texture.
What is Su Borek
Ancient capital city with distinctive architecture, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, relatively obscure to general audiences
Sana'a, Yemen
This Lebanese-Colombian pop star, has Middle Eastern heritage from her father's side and often incorporates Arabic music into her performances.
Who is Shakira
Iraqi-British architect and inventor pioneered parametric design software and computational architecture techniques that revolutionized how modern buildings are designed.
Who is Zaha Hadid
Levantine dialect word meaning "wow" or expression of surprise, primarily used in Syrian/Lebanese dialects and less known outside those specific regions
Yabou (يابو)