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Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī (Persian: جلال‌الدین محمد رومی‎), (also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Balkhī (جلال‌الدین محمد بلخى), Mevlânâ/Mowlānā (مولانا, “our master”), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, “my master”)) more popularly known simply as Rumi (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273), was a 13th-century Persian poet, Hanafi faqih, Islamic scholar, Maturidi theologian, and Sufi mystic originally from Greater Khorasan in Greater Iran. Rumi’s influence transcends national borders and ethnic divisions: Iranians, Tajiks, Turks, Greeks, Pashtuns, other Central Asian Muslims, and Read more…

A khanjar is a traditional dagger originating from Oman. Worn by men for ceremonial occasions, it is a short curved sword shaped like the letter “J” and resembles a hook. It can be made from a variety of different materials, depending on the quality of its craftsmanship. It is a popular souvenir among tourists and is sold Read more…

Art and craft are part of Ugandaryan culture. Crafts have been developed through the traditions of the people. Art and craft are a result of the feelings of the people responding to a variety of historical events and influences and the environment in a most spontaneous manner. Art is the Read more…

Akola’s horn comes from the Ankole Cow, a breed of cattle indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda. Ankole cows are referred to as “The Cattle of the Kings & Royalty,” and their lineage has been traced back thousands of years to Egypt. Horn is not ivory. An elephant is killed for Read more…

The Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan Kremlin, was reputed to be – at the time of its construction – one of the largest mosques in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul. Originally, the mosque was built in the Kazan Kremlin in the 16th century. It was named after Kul Sharif, who was a religious scholar who served there. Read more…

Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (34–24 million years ago). The fossil record provides evidence of the hominoid primates (apes) found in east Africa approximately 22–32 million years ago. The fossil record of the area where mountain gorillas live is particularly poor and Read more…

Al-Aqsa “the Farthest Mosque”, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque was built on top of the Temple Mount, known as the Al Aqsa Compound or Haram esh-Sharif in Islam, several decades after Muhammad’s death. Modern Muslims believe that Muhammad was transported from the Great Mosque of Mecca to this location during the Night Journey. Islamic Read more…

Sanaa also spelled Sanaʽa or Sana, is the largest city in Yemen and the centre of Sanaa Governorate. The city is not part of the Governorate, but forms the separate administrative district of “Amanat Al-Asemah”. Under the Yemeni constitution, Sanaʽa is the capital of the country,  although the seat of the Yemeni government moved to Aden, the former capital of South Yemen in Read more…

The undulating sand dunes of Qatar’s desert proffer a stark beauty, and are a popular destination for a recreational safari or the spectacular landscape. In days gone by, Bedouin tribes would move across the desert, setting up camp while grazing their animals and engaging in trade.  Today, this tradition remains Read more…