Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's German driver Nico Rosberg (2nd R) celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix next to second placed Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen (3rd L) and third placed Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 3, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH / AFP

The grinning Brit snapped with hijacker Seif Eldin Mustafa onboard EgyptAir flight MS18 immediately sent the image to his pals back home saying, "You know your boy doesn't f*** about. Turn on the news lad!" Internet pranksters lost no time Photoshopping this knucklehead onto other decidedly dark scenes in history And there's no end in sight! The spanking Ben Innes received from security and his employer has done nothing to assuage his adrenaline buzz from being at the center of a social media maelstrom. Let's continue the fun, and prop ...

Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid put her mark on many cities, particularly in the Middle East. Her most acclaimed (and controversial) project is the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium in Doha. Spot her shape-shifting magic in Abu Dhabi's Sheik Zayed Bridge and her Performing Arts Center on Saadiyat Island (being built). See Riyadh's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, and the Central Bank of Iraq in her Baghdad hometown. She passed away today in a Miami hospital. Read our tribute to this volcanic force of nature . Godspeed Dame Hadid.

Are you plugged in to a new cultural revolution, where underground Arab artists are keeping it street? The sleepy kingdom of Jordan is rich in ancient heritage, spectacular eco-tourism, and swimmable seas with Biblical roots. But let's change the channel to contemporary arts, and check out an under-reported grassroots movement that's raising the profile of Amman's simmering streetscene. Find out more about Studio 8 - a creative hub for art, dance and musical innovation is working to change the perception of beatbox as well as dance and art with special ...

UAE's Omer Abdulrahman celebrates after scoring against Saudi Arabia during their World Cup 2018 Asian qualifying football match on March 29, 2016 at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. KARIM SAHIB / AFP

Supporters attend the African Cup of Nations qualification match between Egypt and Nigeria, on March 25, 2016, in Kaduna. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

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 ...