If you weren't born Muslim but have chosen the Islamic path , you’re likely to be hounded by questions from both sides of the dogma fence as to what caused your leap of faith. From the hopeful ‘Were you blinded by love (of a Muslim)?’, to the harsher ‘Are you brainwashed?’ to the cynical ‘Don’t you miss bacon?’, i t’s hard to explain swapping Hannukah or Christmas for Ramadan and restriction. An Al Bawaba editor who converted to Islam in 2014 shares her personal experience on the frontlines of faith ...

Qatar's Hassan al-Haidos celebrates his goal with teammates during of their World Cup 2018 Asian qualifying football match against Hong Kong on March 24, 2016 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

The Middle East is no desert when it comes to desserts! From “Lady's Arms” to “Bread of the Palace”, there's more to our menu than baklava (or baklawa in Arabic). Our region famously serves up sugar-laden sweets soaked in syrups scented with exotic blossoms. Arab bakers mix semolina wheat grain, heavy cream, and nuts, with veritable dunes of sugar to concoct delectably gooey goodies, best washed down with strong bitter Turkish or Arabian coffee. What’s not to love? (Especially if you’re a dentist!) Dive into our lineup of classic Arab ...

Our Middle East Mother’s Day homage runs against the grain, in cheeky parody ‘classic card’ format and customized ‘from’ Arab-born kids ‘to’ their adorably Arab MaMas . Pull out some of these witty words and silly spoofs to tell your beloved MaMa how much you appreciate her maternal prowess. But, if you’re in the market for typical Hallmark expressions of sentimental devotion and love, click away from this slideshow! Also, take heed as you might get a slap or worse still that deadly Arabic ‘slipper’ if you’re counting on these ...

Spanish MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo (C) of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team celebrates on the podium after winning the Qatar MotoGP race with Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso (L) of the Ducati Team who won second place and Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez (R) third place at the Losail International Circuit in Doha on March 20, 2016. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

So what do Brian O’Driscoll and Arifa Bseiso, Dabkeh and The Script, a foamy pint of Guinness and an aromatic Arabic coffee all have in common? A lot more than you might think. Scientists have proof that Ireland’s present population is founded on a mass migration of Mesopotamian farmers. These Stone Age migrants moved westward from the place where agriculture began carrying their farming intel, and genes for dark eyes and darker hair (red hair DNA sailed in with Viking invasions, thousands of years later.) Is blood really thicker than ...

The 2 0th Century’s most influential physicist, Albert Einstein , had a birthday this week, March 14. He would've been 137, a pretty ridiculous age even for modern science's most popular poster boy. But equally ridiculous are a spate of tweets spewed out by Beirut-based pranksters , (and already picking up momentum since the birth date) opining online: what would happen if the German, Jewish-born, genius was, in fact, Lebanese? Riduculous still by the fact that you'd think the Lebanese had enough to tweet and chatter about on this nationally-charged ...

Internationally known gym franchises operate from Beirut to Doha. (There’s even a health club in the Makkah Royal Clock Tower so you can squeeze in a workout before perambulating the Kaaba!). But while Middle Eastern health clubs may look like their EU and US cousins; activities inside are expected to adapt to more conservative Arab cultural norms, especially for women. Gym rats, don’t be alarmed, all is orthodox when it comes to the exercise — you can expect the routine staples in sets and reps, cardio and classes, nothing alien ...

Emirati horserider Nadia Abdul Aziz Taryam competes during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Showjumping Championship in Bou Thib, south of Abu Dhabi on March 5, 2016. KARIM SAHIB / AFP

Greek Orthodox priests play tennis table during a break from their studies at the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand in northern Lebanon on March 2, 2016. The institute was established in 1832 and hosts students from all over the world. PATRICK BAZ / AFP