Culture
We’re taking a delicious trip across the Middle East and North Africa via a mouth-watering array of dishes and drinks. Middle Eastern and North African cuisine is hugely varied, drawing on the wealth of herbs and spices available in the region and age-old traditions from hundreds of different cultures. From mint tea and qahwa to delicious stews, succulent barbecued carp, and even snails with lavender, there are so many incredible flavours to discover and this list of food and drinks to try is just the beginning.
Wondering what you should read this summer? Look no further than our top picks of books by Middle Eastern and North African authors – a list of unforgettable reads that will keep you captivated whether you’ve got a packed summer of travel planned, or are looking forward to balmy evenings lounging with a book at home. From timeless love stories to unwind with, to compelling short stories that will keep you on the edge of your deck chair, your next perfect read will be on this list!
This week, we’ve put together an introduction to the month of Ramadan, from key terminology to the festive treats that are served. If you’d like to learn more about Ramadan, here’s some of the most important aspects of the month to know about, and if you’re learning Arabic we’re sharing all the Ramadan vocabulary you’ll need!
If you’ve fallen in love with the incredible taste of Arabic coffee, or qahwa, but never managed to recreate it at home, we’ve got you covered! This week Pink Jinn is collaborating with Medina Coffee to bring you the ultimate recipe for qahwa, so you can enjoy perfect Arabic coffee from home.
Scent is one of the most powerful aspects of personal adornment. It lingers in the air long after a person has left, it brings back memories of places we’ve been or people we’ve loved, and it has a proven influence on our state of mind: from soothing lavender to pick-me-up rosemary, the powers of fragrance have been known and used for millennia. The use of fragrance goes well beyond that of beautification.
Stock up your bookshelves this month with the ten best books to read about Syria. We’ve rounded up the best books by Syrian authors to create the ultimate Syria reading list for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the country. From poetry, fiction, hard-hitting journalistic accounts and poignant memoirs to cookbooks, this list has you covered whether you’re studying the Syrian crisis, or simply looking for a brilliant new novel to sink into. There’s something for all ages too, with some wonderful ideas for the kids in your life, from preschoolers to teens!
This week, we’re celebrating ten incredible Yemeni women making waves in the worlds of journalism, food, activism, photography, art, music and even paleoanthropology. From a filmmaker documenting the realities of living through the war in Yemen to an explorer uncovering the secrets of human evolution on Socotra, you need these fearless women on your feed!
Here are some amazing good news stories from across the Middle East worth celebrating this year, not to mention some that gave us a giggle!