Food
This Levantine dish’s name means “crushed” or “mashed”, but unlike hummus, its base is slow-roasted eggplant, often mixed with tahini, garlic, and lemon.
What is mutabbal?
This dynasty’s rise in 661 CE marked the first hereditary caliphate in Islamic history, with its capital in Damascus.
What is the Umayyad Caliphate?
This Lebanese singer, known for hits like “Wala Baadayn” and “Ah w Noss,” became one of the most influential Arab pop icons of the 2000s.
Who is Nancy Ajram?
This is the largest country in the Arab world by land area.
What is Algeria?
This long-running Syrian drama series, set in 1930s Damascus, follows the life, conflicts, and romances of residents in a historic neighborhood.
What is Bab Al-Hara?
This ancient Bedouin dish from Jordan involves burying an entire meal—meat, rice, and spices—in an underground pit to slowly cook for hours.
What is zarb?
This 12th-century Muslim leader, born in Tikrit, united Egypt and Syria and became famous for reclaiming Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187.
Who is Salah al-Din (Saladin)?
Known as the “Star of the Nile,” she sang “Enta Omri” and is an icon of 20th-century Arab music.
Who is Umm Kulthum?
Known as the “Bride of the Red Sea,” this Saudi city is a major port and gateway for pilgrims heading to Mecca.
What is Jeddah?
This Syrian drama, starring Abed Fahed and Kosai Khauli, explores generational conflict and forbidden love in a small provincial town.
What is Al Hayat Al Ghariba?
A specialty of Aleppo, this dish of ground meat, cherry syrup, and pine nuts balances sweet and savory
What is kebab bil karaz?
This 14th-century North African historian authored al-Muqaddimah, considered one of the earliest works of sociology, historiography, and economics.
Who is Ibn Khaldun?
This Syrian-born poet and lyricist wrote lyrics for many classic love songs across the Arab world.
Who is Nizar Qabbani?
This city, divided by the Jordan River, is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
What is Jericho?
This Lebanese drama series starring Taim Hasan and Nadine Nassib Njeim revolves around family feuds, organized crime, and love in a rural mountain town.
What is Al Hayba?
Served across the Gulf, this saffron-rich rice dish gets its name from a word meaning “pressed” or “pounded,” referring to the mortar-and-pestle spice blend used to season it.
What is majboos (machboos)?
Established in the 8th century in Cordoba, this independent emirate later became a caliphate known for its architecture, libraries, and scientific advancement.
What is Al-Andalus (the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba)?
This Egyptian singer, nicknamed “The Voice”, became famous for his romantic ballads and acting in films like “Hob fi Tabaqa Thaniya.”
Who is Abdel Halim Hafez?
This Gulf country is the world’s smallest by area and is famous for its oil reserves and modern skyline.
What is Bahrain?
Set in Egypt, this drama follows the intertwined lives of aristocratic families and their secrets, featuring actors like Yousra and Mahmoud Hemida.
What is Layali Al Helmeya?
Originating in Yemen, this fermented, chili-based condiment develops its unique tang from being aged in a sealed jar for weeks—usually alongside fenugreek and garlic.
What is sahawiq (zhoug)?
Known as “al-Muʿallim al-Awwal” (“The First Teacher”), this polymath wrote The Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine, which became standard medical texts for centuries.
Who is Ibn Sina (Avicenna)?
This famous Lebanese singer is known for blending pop and folk music, with hits like “Ma Tegi Hena” and “Akhasmak Ah.”
Who is Haifa Wehbe?
This mountain range, stretching along Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, separates the coastal plains from the Sahara Desert.
What is the Atlas Mountains?
This Syrian historical drama, starring Abbas Al-Nouri, depicts the Ottoman era in Syria, including political intrigue and the lives of prominent families.
What is Al-Taghreba Al-Falastenya?