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Islamic World History

The History of the Golan Heights: The Road to Occupation

By Mehdi El Merini / Arab America contributing writer The Golan Heights, a plateau in southwestern Syria, has long been a region of strategic significance, cultural richness, and political contention. Known for its fertile lands and commanding position overlooking northern Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, the Golan Heights has become one of the most contested territories … Continued

The Sand War of 1963: A Brief Conflict with Long Shadows

By Mehdi El Merini / Arab America Contributing Writer The Sand War, a brief yet impactful clash between Morocco and Algeria, unfolded in the fall of 1963. Occurring just a year after Algeria’s hard-won independence from French colonial rule, the Sand War revolved around territorial disputes inherited from colonial-era borderlines. Though lasting only a few … Continued

Celebrating National Baklawa Day

By Mehdi El Merini / Arab America Contributing Writer Celebrated annually on November 17, national Baklawa Day honors one of the world’s most beloved pastries. Baklawa’s delicate, flaky layers and rich filling of nuts, sweet syrup, and fragrant rose water make it a dessert treasured across cultures. Although commonly associated with Turkish and Greek cuisine … Continued

Mohamed Zakariya: American Master of Arabic Script Calligraphy

By: Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer Zakariya’s passion for calligraphy began when he noticed an elegant script while looking into the window display of a rug store on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. Captivated by its beauty, he stepped inside and asked the Armenian shopkeeper, “What is this?” The shopkeeper replied, “It’s a … Continued

The Middle East and the Foundations of Algebra

By: Fedal Hanoun / Arab America Contributing Writer Many Westerners mistakenly believe that ancient Greeks and thinkers like Descartes were the first to use algebra, but few know that the word “algebra” itself is Arabic. During the Islamic Golden Age (8th–14th centuries), mathematicians from the Middle East laid the groundwork for algebra by developing the … Continued

The Kharijites: The First Islamic Sect

By Luke McMahan / Arab America Contributing Writer The Kharijites, the first known Islamic sect, formed after splitting from the followers of the fourth Caliph Ali, who was assassinated by one of their members, and removing themselves from the rest of Muslim society. On the whole, they had a uniquely democratic vision of the Imamate, … Continued

The Order of Assassins: Where the Term “Assassin” Comes From

By Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer When you think of the term “assassin”, a variety of topics might spring into mind. You might think of all sorts of villains from movies, television shows, books, or anything similar. Or you might think of real-life assassinations, targeting political or military figures like Abraham Lincoln or … Continued

Malcolm X’s Journey to Sunni Islam

By: Mehdi El Merini / Arab America Contributing Writer Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in 1925, is often remembered as one of the most polarizing and transformative figures of the 20th century. His journey from a troubled youth to one of the most influential voices for Black empowerment was deeply intertwined with his conversion to … Continued

The Danish Muslim Who Defended Libya

By: Mehdi El Merini / Arab America Contributing Writer Knud Holmboe was a Danish journalist, author, and explorer whose life journey took him from the Lutheran faith of his upbringing to Islam and led him across the deserts of North Africa. His travels, especially his eye-opening experience in Libya during the brutal Italian occupation, became … Continued

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