Al Fusaic

Part one: introduction to co-creators of the Real Arabic podcast and conversation about what the platform means to them, vignettes about the region and why they created this platform…we promise, it’ll be electric!  Notable quotes: from one of the comments on the episode - ‘there is no such thing as pure language, language is a living being and changes…as does society. #realarabic #shaywaarabi...

The Dilmun Kingdom was an ancient civilization located in Eastern Arabia that ruled from the late 4th millennium B.C.E. until 538 B.C.E . Founded in the Persian Gulf, the Dilmun Kingdom controlled much of modern-day Bahrain , Kuwait , and parts of eastern Saudi Arabia . The Kingdom of Dilmun is best known for its role as an important commercial center, which facilitated the trade of goods, service...

The Qatna Kingdom is an ancient Mesopotamian kingdom dating 2600-1300 BCE. Qatna was an essential player for many of the surrounding kingdoms in terms of trade, and many of their key accomplishments included growing as a political presence. The ruling class also were responsible for the creation of the royal palace, a massive structure that had 80 rooms on one level! Qatna was a sought-out area th...

The Midrarid Dynasty is a largely forgotten medieval dynasty of Amazigh origin, best known through its rule over the ancient and impressive city of Sijilmasa in modern-day Morocco . The eminent historian Ibn Khaldun and Geographer Al-Bakri are some of the most well-known figures from this Dynasty as well, and even Ibn Battuta mentions Sijilmasa in his travels. They are not credited but are the ini...

Join Helana Reyad and her featured guest, John Murchison, as they discuss his experience as originally a Western musician in the classical Arabic (Tarab) tradition and the role of his main instrument, the bass, in it. Of note, the dour En Kan Fouady John mentions is indeed sung by Layla Mourad.

Forgive our sleep-addled minds as we discover some tips to incorporate Arabic learning into our daily lives through the suggestions of a...vlogger? We’re increasing our wheelhouse and engaging in new methods of Arabic learning for ourselves. Come along as we step into a new realm of YouTube Arabic learning! #languagelearning #alfusaic #shaywaarabi #vlogger #tipsandtricks #youtube

Today’s episode was beautiful...it was intense...it was a walk through our new format and a neighborhood in Beirut. Join us as we embark on a new journey to bring you the freshest reactions to Arabic learning materials, and some interesting side conversations about Irish names...we promise, it’s relevant. #realarabic #languagelearning #alfusaic #tea #culture #shaywaarabi

Ru-zl...who what now? Join Coretta and Andi as they engage in the shortest, sweetest episode of Shay wa Arabi yet. Will you tell us if we ‘aced’ the adventure? #fairytales #shaywaarabi #languagelearning #alfusaic

The Saadi Sultanate is the last dynasty in Morocco before the modern and current Alawite ruling family. Lasting roughly 150 years, this dynasty is best known for its trading prowess throughout Europe and Northern Africa and is architectural marvels. Its name “Saadi” stems from the Arabic word for happiness, unlike many other empire’s whose name stems from a key ruler or geographic feature. They ar...

Today we have tea...but no Arabi… Join Coretta and Andi as they catch up on summer, talk about travel and culture, and dish on plans to shake up season 2! *warning* this episode brings the laughs as conversations between friends often do!  #summerfun #culture #shaiwaarabi #languagelearning #alfusaic

The Qajar Dynasty ended in 1925 CE, only 50 years before the Islamic Revolution of Iran . They are best known for their consolidation of the modern borders of Iran, naming Tehran the capital, and many buildings still in use today: Constitution House in Tabriz, the Golestan Palace Complex in Tehran, and Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz. Their decline is largely linked to their decision to grant capit...

The Makuria Empire lasted nearly 1000 years located in modern Sudan . The empire is best known for its use of the water wheel for irrigation, its relatively peaceful existence, and its empire-wide conversation to Christianity. Its pottery, architecture, and remaining artifacts greatly mirrored the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire , which is believed to have been Makuria’s largest allies for most...

Alexander the Great and so much more. The Macedonian Empire was the largest empire in the world at its height, thanks to Alexander's territorial ambitions and honoring his father's desire to connect Gibraltar to Punjab. This empire has made an immensely significant splash into today's society through trade networks, a centralized system of government, advances in science and literature, and so muc...

Widely regarded as Islam's Golden Age, the Abbasid Caliphate was best known for its immense contributions to science, literature, and religion. Modern Cameras, Algebra, Air Conditioner, 1001 Nights, Modern Medicine, Qandil Lamp, Water Clock, Irrigation Methods, and so so much more were all invented during the Abbasid Caliphate. Along with an intelligence surveillance network, massive cross-contine...

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! Except for this week, it is with Mohamed, a Moroccan Arabic teacher. Enjoy learning about Moroccan dialect and Mohamed's teaching style. The tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The Zand Dynasty is a Persian civilization that started and ended in the 1700s. This dynasty is best known for widening global trade, especially with Great Britain through the British East India Company. They captured the port of Basra (in modern-day Iraq), implemented new tax schemes, flourished agriculture technology, and designated Shiraz as its capital for governance, gardens, and art. The des...

The Marinid Dynasty lasted for nearly 200 years in the flourishing epicenter of Fez, Morocco. Al Qarawiyyin University (the oldest university in the world), riads (housing units made for guests), zellij (geometric tilework design), and the Royal Palace in Fez (a permanent resident of the King of Morocco) were all greatly expanded and showcased during the Marinids. Much of the modern “Moroccan Hosp...

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The Idrisid Dynasty is the first major Islamic Dynasty in Moroccan history. Much of modern Moroccan culture, religion, trade, and life can be directly traced to the 200 years of the Idrisid Dynasty. Headquartered in Fes, Morocco, this Dynasty is known for a lot of firsts, but most notably the oldest continually operating university in the world: The University of Al Qarawiyyin. Furthermore, the in...

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The Hafsid Dynasty is the cultural predecessor to most of modern North Africa, especially Tunis and Tunisia. Lasting for right under 400 years, this dynasty thrived on an aristocratic style of rule that prioritized trade, education, and architecture (with some military might to fend off attacks!) They were victorious against Saint Louis’ crusade, traded all throughout the Mediterranean, and even c...

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The Seljuks conquered vast swaths of land throughout Anatolia, Persia, and Central Asia, but they are best known for their educational and architectural prowess! The Seljuks created their own currency, the dirhem, which is the ancestor for many of the modern MENA/SWANA countries' currencies, and were a major stop on the "Tin Road," a metalworking trade route across Asia. Thank you to Ana Campusano...

Want to learn about the empire that earned a reputation as history’s biggest opportunists and most brilliant diplomats? Then tune into the Chaldean Empire livestream. Located in modern-day Iraq and ancient Mesopotamia, the Chaldeans were master traders, strategists, and academics. The modern 7-day week and 60-second minute were created from this empire and their invention of the sundial....