“Wasta” – the Arabic Expression for Influence
Anybody who moves to an Arab country will sooner or later come across the expression wasta or that somebody has wasta and can get things done. In the Arab world, the term wasta holds significant cultural and social implications. Wasta is a colloquial expression that...
Bedouin Culinary Traditions: Cooking in the Desert
Challenges of cooking in harsh environments The Bedouin, nomadic tribes of the desert regions, have developed unique culinary traditions. They revolve around the challenges of cooking in arid and harsh environments. Their resourcefulness, creativity and deep...
Islamic Architecture – Al Balad city and Angawi House in Jeddah
Al Balad City - A Cultural Oasis in Jeddah This historic district is located within the vibrant city of Jeddah. Al Balad contains about 300 historic buildings and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. The district exudes a unique charm with...
GCC countries considering ‘Schengen-style’ visa to boost tourism in the region
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional, intergovernmental, political and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC countries are considering launching a “Schengen-style” visa system. The...
Ramadan and moon sighting
Why does Ramadan start at different times? Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle. What has Ramadan got to do with moon...
Wadis in the Middle East
Wadi means "valley" or "ravine" The word wadi means “valley” or “ravine” in Arabic. Wadis are an essential feature of the Middle East, they come in all types and sizes and are dry for most of the year. When it rains, great quantities of water may rush through the...
Agatha Christie in the Middle East
The Arab world was hugely influential on one of the bestselling authors of all time. The late British novelist Agatha Christie — known as the “Queen of Crime” — was a woman of extraordinary talent. By the time of her death, aged 85 in 1976, she had written 66...
Football and the Arab world (Part 3)
In any major competition, such as the World Cup, teams must play a series of fixtures. Learn the Arabic names for those fixtures.
Football and the Arab world (Part 2)
A controversial game Here is one of the most famous moments in World Cup history that involved an Arab team. In 1982 football debutants Algeria, who played their first game in Group 2, stared to produce one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history by beating...
