Halwa – a sweet treat from the Middle East
Sweetness Halwa’ حلوى in Arabic means ‘sweet confection’. The root in Arabic: ح ل و, ( ḥ-l-w), means "sweet". Halwa is a popular dessert in Arab countries and it is usually served with coffee. It is quite easy to make and it is a great dessert to end a meal....
The Alhambra – the Arab poets’ ideal of an earthly Paradise
An earthly Paradise Muslim Spain (711-1492 AD) became the Arab poets’ ideal of an earthly Paradise. The abundance of water together with the skills of the Muslim water engineers and agriculturalists led to the flowering of a rich literary culture, celebrating the...
Middle East: How the coronavirus has impacted foreign education
The coronavirus has caused a devastating impact on foreign education The study plans of many prospective international students have been disrupted as a result of the global health emergency. For this reason it is crucial that universities focus on how they can...
Differences in body language in Arab and Western countries
Body language can be very different between cultures, and it can also be a source of misunderstandings between Arabs and Western societies. Distance between people when talking to each other Westerners frequently stand further away from each other, whereas Arabs...
Benefits of camel milk
Camel milk has for many centuries been an important source of nutrition for Nomads living in harsh desert environments. However, camel milk is now commercially produced and sold. It has recently gained attention as a health food in more developed countries. It is also...
Driving and driving behaviour in some Arab countries
Erratic driving behaviour Driving in some Arab countries can be an interesting experience for visitors who are not used to erratic driving behaviour. Do not expect drivers to stick to any rules or speed limits, use an indicator or have any regard for other drivers....
The impact of coronavirus on Ramadan
During Ramadan 1.8 billion Muslims around the world are observing the month-long spiritual contemplation unlike ever before. Coronavirus has forced the hands of governments, with traditions that have stood for centuries unable to be observed due to...
Teaching Arabic in UK schools (Part 3)
Where could we go next? Language Ambassadors for Arabic In order to garner interest in learning Arabic for both students and schools, we need to raise awareness of this amazing language. Perhaps current university students of Arabic could act as ambassadors by...
Teaching Arabic in UK Schools (Part 2)
Part 2: Why don’t we teach Arabic in UK schools? In our current global climate, it seems increasingly evident that British schools could benefit by branching out from the classic language offerings of French, German and Spanish. With 1.2 billion native speakers of...
