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Shami and Levantine Dialect

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Shaatera (f)

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Good girl

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Education In 2/3 of Middle Eastern countries, more women than men attend universities.

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Pathbreakers of Arab America—Ernest Hamwi

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This is the sixty-seventh of Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series includes personalities from entertainment, business, sports, science, arts, academia, journalism, and politics, among other areas. Our sixty-seventh pathbreaker is Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian born Arab American businessman and entrepreneur. Born on November 18, 1883, in Damascus, Syria he is considered by some as the creator of the ice cream cone, which he purportedly conceived of while working as a concessionaire at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Contributing writer, John Mason, informs us that there is much more information available on the ice cream cone than exists on Ernest himself. Nevertheless, this is his brief but eventful story.

The History of the Golan Heights: The Road to Occupation

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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

Beneath the Sands The Vibrant Colors of Esna

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By Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer. For centuries, the Temple of Esna lay hidden beneath layers of silt and sand, its grandeur buried and its secrets forgotten. Travelers passing through the Nile’s banks could scarcely imagine the vibrant colors of sanctuary that once stood there, alive with the prayers of ancient worshippers and … Continued

The Baghdad Pact: NATO of the Middle East?

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By Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer During the Cold War that took place in the aftermath of the Second World War, many countries around the world had to pick sides between the two contenders – the United States and the Soviet Union. The Arab world was no exception, with Arab Nationalist movements often … Continued

The Lebanese National Pact: History and Controversy

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By: Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer Lebanon is a unique country in the Middle East. It is made up of a variety of religious groups, including Maronites, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Druze. This diversity shapes the country’s identity. The political system reflects this diversity as well. The National Pact was created to … Continued

The Middle East and the Foundations of Algebra

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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

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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

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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

History of the Israel-Lebanon Border

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By: Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer Like many colonial constructs in the Middle East, the border between Israel and Lebanon is relatively new. Created to separate portions of the British and French mandates, this territory has almost always been a battleground between Israeli forces and guerrilla groups. With tensions between Israel and the … Continued

The Power of Palestinian Representation in Children’s Literature

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By: Amanda Najib / Arab America Contributing Writer Amanda Najib is an educator turned scholar, passionate about integrating Arab and Palestinian history into educational curricula. She is the author of Lana Makes Purple Pizza: A Palestinian Food Tale and focuses on the transformative power of narrative and representation in education. Picture books have an incredible … Continued

Adonis: A Beacon of Syrian Poetry

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By: Fedal Hanoun / Arab America Contributing Writer There is a well-known Syrian poet, essayist, and critic who goes by the name Adonis. His real name is Ali Ahmad Said Esber. His original writing style and examination of topics such as love, sorrow, exile, and the human condition have made him a notable character in … Continued

Abraham Rihbany in New York’s Syrian Colony

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By: Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer Abraham Rihbany arrived in New York on October 6, 1891, and quickly found refuge within the Syrian colony. Fellow Syrians promptly came to his aid, lending him the necessary funds to survive. Beyond financial support, the colony helped him secure shelter, employment, and a sense of community, … Continued

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