Cultural heritage

Visitors at the exhibition of Folk Poetry at the Waterfront of Kalba, Sharjah.

Culture

From oral tradition to modern stage, Nabati poetry bridges generations in changing UAE

As part of its centennial celebrations, an exhibition at Sharjah’s Kalba Waterfront honored the legacy of Nabati poetry and its role in shaping the UAE’s cultural and historical identity.

A man stands atop the kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou.

Culture

From Hollywood set to heritage hub: Morocco’s $75M bet on Ouarzazate

Once the Hollywood of the Sahara, Morocco’s desert city is betting on sustainable tourism to reclaim its place on the map.

Mahmoud Said, La fille aux yeux verts

Culture

Christie's London auction shines global light on Middle Eastern art

The online auction for the 39 lots began Oct. 28 and runs until Nov. 11, while the live auction in London takes place Nov. 6.

Mohammad bin Reda, assistant secretary-general for Kuwait’s Antiquities and Museums Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature, meets with archaeologists at the site. (KUNA)

Culture

Archaeologists uncover 4,000-year-old temple on Kuwait’s Failaka Island

Four ancient temples have been discovered on Failaka Island, including two dating to the Dilmun civilization and two from the Hellenistic period.

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Culture

From viral fame to fine craft: Dubai Chocolate finds new life in London

Some Dubai-style Chocolate being made at Melt Chocolatier's masterclass in London.

United Arab Emirates

Culture

‘Divine Egypt’ brings ancient gods to life at New York’s Met

Installation view of Divine Egypt on view Oct.12, 2025 until Jan. 19, 2026 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Anna-Marie Kellen, Courtesy of the Met

Culture

Director Cyril Aris on Lebanon’s Oscar submission, trauma and cinema

A sad and beautiful world

Culture

Miss Lebanon 2025 crowned in ceremony highlighting culture, heritage

Newly elected Miss Lebanon Perla Harb poses on stage after winning the Miss Lebanon 2025 pageant, in Zouk Mosbeh, north of Beirut, on Oct. 4, 2025.

The pilgrims' convoy departs from the city of Al-Dana, Syria, to Damascus Airport in order to set off to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals on May 21, 2025.

Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know

Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies.

A worshiper waves the flag of Argentina as Pope Francis arrives for the weekly general audience on June 5, 2019 at St. Peter's square in the Vatican. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88

Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins

Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know

The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts.

Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, early on March 30, 2025.

Culture

In photos: Muslims celebrate Eid el-Fitr across the Middle East

Muslims in the Middle East came together on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

ultra-Orthodox

Israeli army escorts ultra-Orthodox Jews to religious site in south Lebanon: What to know

The Israeli military allowed hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Israeli civilians into southern Lebanon to visit a religious site, meeting condemnation from Lebanon's army.

Pigeons fly in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosques compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, ahead of the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan on Feb. 28, 2025.

Culture

Muslims across Middle East welcome Ramadan despite war, inflation

Amid fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon and shifting dynamics for Iran, Syria and others, the region is preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

church

Feature

Christians in Syria hopeful but wary of Sharaa’s intentions

Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reassure minorities their rights will be protected under the new government. But not all Christians are convinced by his message of inclusivity.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A visitor views the busts of Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator.

Culture

In search for Cleopatra's tomb, Egypt claims new discoveries

A team led by Kathleen Martinez, who has worked for two decades in hopes of finding Cleopatra’s tomb, has unearthed new discoveries in an ancient city near Alexandria.

The newly discovered chamber in the north tower of the temple at Athribis is pictued in this undated photo.

Culture

Egypt: Archaeologists unearth 2,100-year-old temple in ancient village

The Egyptian government said the recent findings could lead to the discovery of a massive temple as significant as the Luxor Temple.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

After years of diplomatic disputes, French President Emmanuel Macron is adamant on repairing ties with Morocco.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images

Tyre, Lebanon's ancient city, bombarded by Israeli airstrikes

Israeli airstrikes are pounding ancient Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Members of Israeli security forces guard the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following clashes that erupted during Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jerusalem on April 5, 2023.

Analysis

Why Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa compound rhetoric is dangerous and disruptive

Israel's far-right minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the establishment of a synagogue at the sensitive Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex, engendering fierce responses from Palestinian and Israeli leaders alike.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics