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History
29 posts
How Arabic became Arabic. From the pre-Islamic poets to the codification of the Quran, we trace the timeline and origins of the language we study today.
Omar al-Mukhtar and the Airplanes Under the Throne
Omar al-Mukhtar, the Libyan resistance leader who fought Italian colonial rule, is credited with a famous reply about Italian airplanes and the Throne of God. But did he really say it?
A Few Arabic Letters, Estonia, and a 900-Year-Old Mystery | al-Idrisi’s Famous Map
In 1154, al-Idrisi mapped a land called “Astlanda” — likely Estonia, the Baltic country south of Finland. He also wrote down a strange Arabic name: “qlwn.” Was it an early trace of Tallinn, today’s Estonian capital? The puzzle still survives.
Inside the Arabic Language Academy’s Race to Finish Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer
Reflecting on his visit to Cairo's Arabic Language Academy, Ambassador Ulric Shannon shares new insights on المعجم الكبير. He breaks down their 90-year progress, the threat of dictionary piracy, and why this lexicon is trapped in print.
Reading the Unreadable: AI & Early Arab-American Stories
Arabic handwriting is notoriously hard to read. Now, a project called Fihris is using custom-trained AI to decipher the complex Ruq'ah script. We interviewed the team at the Khayrallah Center (USA) about how this tech is unlocking the history of early Arab immigrants to the Americas.
The Human Blockchain: How al-Isnād (الْإِسْنَاد) Verified History Before the Internet
Long before fact-checkers, Islamic scholars built a "human blockchain" called al-Isnād (الْإِسْنَاد) to save the truth from gossip. From the "Golden Chain" of Malik and Nafi to the rigorous "Science of Men," discover how this ancient system of source criticism verified history—and what it can teach us about digital accountability today.
Saracens in the Alps: Did Arabic Influence Mountain Names in Switzerland?
Names like Allalinhorn and Mischabel in the Swiss Alps sound suspiciously Arabic. Legends claim "Saracen" invaders from the 10th century left their mark on the language and people. But is there any truth to it? We debunk the myths of an "Alpine Arabia" and trace the real history of the raiders of Fraxinetum.
Al-Suli: The Chess Master in the Islamic Golden Age
Al-Suli, a key chess master from the 10th century, played an important role in developing modern chess and is seen as one of its first champions. Who was Al-Suli, and how are chess terms expressed in Arabic?
SATTS: The Forgotten U.S. Military System for Transliterating Arabic in the Cold War
When Arabic characters couldn't be displayed, SATTS (Standard Arabic Technical Transliteration System) offered a solution. Reginald Hefner takes a historical look at this pre-digital military system, explaining how it allowed Arabic to be read and written in Latin characters without pronunciation cues, and its role during the Cold War era.
The Legend of Tariq ibn Ziyad and the Burning of Ships
Tariq ibn Ziyad, a pivotal figure in Islamic history, famously led the conquest of Spain (al-Andalus). This article details the bold legend of him burning his fleet, analyzes his motivational speech, and explains the origin of "Gibraltar," providing insights into this significant historical event.
Who Was Sibawayhi? Meet the Persian Scholar Who Defined Arabic Grammar
"Al-Kitaab" is more than a textbook; it's Sibawayhi's monumental Arabic grammar. This article explores the life of the brilliant Persian grammarian and his enduring contribution to Arabic linguistic science.
