Although only unified in 1932, human habitation in Saudi Arabia goes back 20,000 years. Those Saudis must be doing something right for all the bad rap they get as running an inhospitable Kingdom (but for its salary/oil reserves)! In honor of Saudi Arabia’s 81st national day, we’re going to show you why living in the Kingdom is nothing short of majestic. A vast expanse of desert with no form of centralised control in the 19th century, rival tribes and sects battled it out for control of Arabia for hundreds of ...

Every year, thousands of music lovers and worshippers of stone temples (not Pilots or Rolling Stones, or even 'stoners', but the preserved ancient ruins and theaters in use as venues for performance) attend music and art festivals amongst the rubble and ruins of ancient civilizations across the Middle East. As the dusty vestiges of each old city are transformed into magical settings, it is as though particularly inspired performers have been resurrected into Roman Gods and Goddesses. 2013 could be called “one for the ages,” filled with star-studded festivals year-round ...

Syria is SO last season - we like our military on the catwalk, not in the form of airstrikes. Forget politics - it's in the Middle Eastern fashion world where things get really heated and frought, knotted and browed! Delving into the latest looks in designer wardrobes, how can our racy region actually rock the season’s must-haves in the Middle East where modest equals hottest ? Many hot, young and trendy rich Arabs are self-confessed fashion freaks. You wouldn’t enter their homes without spying a copy of Vogue, Elle or ...

As John Kerry forays further and further into Middle Eastern crisis -- looking to set things right in Syria and Palestine/ Israel, no less, and only in the capital of disputed territory, Jerusalem, this week -- we look at some of his potential partners in peace on the Israeli side of the field. Who are the newer and ‘fatter’ figures in the Israeli halls of power? Or are the political kingpins of the Jewish state still thick on the older guard of re-shuffled ‘war-criminals’ (Arab dictator style) from ancient battles ...

Are Arabs more superstitious than the rest of the world? Here are 13 superstitions that are common in the Middle East to help you decide. It’s that time of the year. It’s Friday the 13th. It’s time to get superstitious. Stepping into a bathroom with your right foot? Stop! Entering the toilet with the correct foot first is just one of many wacky superstitions to pay attention to in the jittery Middle East. Are you the type of person who’s also superstitious for the remainder of the year? Do you ...

At a critical time charged with war-fever - when the majority Muslim Middle East is spoiling for a fight, we have mined the globe's remote realms untapped by Muslim mayhem. While everybody and their aunty are ramping up the rhetoric for regional war, and the U.S. is on the cusp of spurring the Syrian crisis by wading in, we cast a faint light in the direction of the peaceful part of the planet where Islam abounds and calm rules the roost over Muslim militancy and Islam-inspired war-mongering. Contrary to common ...

The Middle East remains one of the most promising and misunderstood markets in the world. While plagued by poverty and economic inequality, it is still home to the highest GDP/capita rates. That means that along with a plethora of economic hurdles, the MENA’s wealth opens up unlimited potential. While doing business the ‘Arab’ way became synonymous with notions of nepotism, cronyism, and unprofessionalism, the Middle East is undergoing times of huge social and political transitions. A more pragmatic attitude to hold is that Arab businesses come with a very particular ...

We argued against the US cruise missile strike on Syria already, so now here's the rejoinder. Knowing that Obama is an avid follower of Al Bawaba, we thought we'd (playing devil's advocate) back him up! Well, we can’t say the iron isn’t scorching. Should Obama go ahead and strike, here’s why it might not be such a warped or at least misguided scheme after all. Those in support say that this intervention is hardly guns blazing nor to serve as a deal breaker or game-changer. It may have no bearing ...

Last night, Lebanon and the Lebanese lovers in the Arab world forgot about the war next door (now on their own doorstep) as they tuned in to the annual cat parade from Miss Lebanon 2013, aired Live on LBC and LDC TV. On September 1, 2013, 15 flawless women strutted and sashayed on stage to compete for the coveted title, but only one lucky lady was crowned Queen of the Year. The draw The final panel of 10 of the finest and fittest included a body beautiful line-up of Josette ...

The sight of dozens of young children laying dead in makeshift morgues in the outskirts of Damascus last Wednesday elicited a knee-jerk humanitarian reaction all the world over. The reported use of chemical agents against a residential suburb of Damascus immediately resulted in the international community crying foul and calling for immediate action in Syria. Despite more than 100,000 people dying in Syria since the onset of violence in 2011, the reports of chemical attacks made the world sit up and listen. And, crucially, it seems the Syrian civil war ...

Oh Em Gee, did that really happen? These scandals may be oldies, but they're goldies. Oh, how we love a scandal or two with our morning coffee! And, we can surely count on our trusty Arab celebs to deliver them on cue! In the cray-cray celebosphere, our Arab papzz are always on patrol, never sleeping on the job even on the hottest of summer days. Ready to capture the stars' most cringe-worthy moments and reveal their dirtiest secrets, the Arab media gives as good as the West's most unscrupulous photogs ...