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Below is a glossary of Middle East terms.

Abu Simbel

Site of two massive rock temples build by Ramesses II of Egypt around c. 1250 BC. Abu Simbel was originally located on the banks of the nile. It was moved in the 1960s onto the shore of Lake Nasser.

Achemenid Empire

Persian empire named after its founder Achemens. The empire lasted from about 550 to 330 BC when it was conquered by Alexander the Great.

aghal

Double headcord worn on top of the Arabian cloth headdress.

Anatolia

A historical term for the land that includes most of the Asian part of Turkey.

Ashur

City in northern Mesopotamia located on the river Tigris.

Assyria

An ancient empire in Mesopotamia.

Babylonia

A region of southern Mesopotamia named after the city of Babylon.

baksheesh

Arabic word for gratuity or tip.

bhisht

Kuwaiti term for the Arabian outer robe or cloak. Known in Saudi Arabia as the mishlah.

Caliph

Literally 'successor' to Muhammad.

Canaan

A historical and bibilical term used to describe the strip of land which includes most of present day Gaza Strip and Israel and the Western part of Jordan. The term was found on Egyptian writings from the 15th century BC.

Eed al Adha

Feast celebrating the end of the Hajj. Marks the day when sacrifices are offered in Mecca.

Eed al Fitr

The feast ending the fast of Ramadhan. One of the two principal holidays in Saudi Arabia.

Emir

Arabic for 'commander'. Male members of the house of Saud are referred to as emir, usually transliterated as 'prince'.

fatwa

A decision, usually written, on a point of Islamic law, given by a mufti.

Fertile Crescent

First used by Henry Breasted a 19th century scholar. The area of land arching from the Persian Gulf over the watersheds of the Tigris and Euphrates river in Iraq through the western coast of the Mediterranean into Egypt.

ghutra

Arabian cloth headdress. In Saudi Arabia, it is usually red and white, but may be solid white in very hot weather.

Hajj

The Pilgrimage. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, all Muslims are required to attempt one pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetimes.

hajji

Arabic word for pilgrim. One who makes a hajj.

Hashishiyyin (Assassins)

Islamic military order known in the West as the Assassins who targeted important persons for killings.

hijrah

The migration of the prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.

Ikhwan

'The Brothers.' The fanatical Muslim warriors who formed the nucleus of Saudi armies from 1919 to 1928.

Imam

'He who goes before.' Those who lead prayer in Saudi mosques.

Insh'allah

'As God wills'. Commonly used Arabic expression. Often used to disclaim responsibility for one's mistake.

Jihad

Holy war or struggle. More than referring to military warfare, it means the total effort of the Muslim community to reach a religiously sanctified objective.

Judah

Region in Palestine from about 922 to 587 BC named after one of the tribes of Israel.

Knights Hospitallers

Christian military order; called Knights of Rhodes after 1309 and Knights of Malta after 1522 after the fall of Rhodes.

Knights Templar

Christian military order that fought in the Crusades.

Koran

The Muslim Holy Book. God's revelation to the prophet Muhammad containing 114 chapters or suras.

Levant

Land area between Mesopotamia and Egypt; it includes modern day Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan

majlis

Arabic reception or sitting room.

Mameluke

Military caste originating with Turkish slaves who ruled Egypt from about 1250 to 1510.

Mesopotamia

An ancient region in southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, site of the ancient civilizations of Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. Roughly equivalent to present-day Iraq and part of Syria.

mishlah

Traditional Arabian outer robe or cloak. It may be black, brown or cream and trimmed with gold thread.

mufti

A Muslim cleric or legal expert. Authorized to render opinions on religious matters.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. An organizationwhich attempts to regulate the production levels and prices of crude oil exported by member countries.

Palestine

Derived from the Philistines who were part of the group of the Sea Peoples. It includes the southern half of the Levant.

Pharaoh

Wasn't used until 1400 BC but is now used generally for the kings of ancient Egypt.

Qadi

Arabic word for 'judge'.

Quran

Alternative transliteration for Koran.

Ramadhan

The Islamic month of fasting in which Muslims celebrate God's gift of the Koran to man.

Rhodes

Island located off the southwestern tip of modern day Turkey.

riyal

Modern Saudi Arabian unit of currency.

Rub al Khali

'The Empty Quarter'. Loose transliteration from the Arabic for the great, featureless desert that comprises the southeastern part of Saudi Arabia.

salaam

Peace be upon you. The traditional Arabian greeting.

Sardis

Capital of the Lydian kingdom; located in western Anatolia.

Sea Peoples

A group of people who migrated to eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea around 1400 BC.

Semites

People who spoke a Semitic language which originated in Arabia and Mesopotamia. Some of the peoples include the: Arabs, Hebrews, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.

Shareef

Descendant of the prophet Muhammad.

Shariah

The law of God. Arabic word for Islamic law.

Sheikh

From the Arabic word for 'elder'. A title that is earned, not inherited. Given to tribal leaders, business chieftains and public figures.

Souq

Arabic word for market.

Strait of Hormuz

The narrows at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Strategically important to naval warfare.

Suez Canal

A canal extending from the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It enables large ships to avoid the long trip around Africa.

thobe

The long shirt-like garment worn by Arabian men. It is usually white and thin in the summer, and heavy and dark or striped in winter.

Ulema

Religious scholars. In modern Saudi Arabia, they meet weekly with the king and regulate religious life.

wadi

Arabic word for a rocky watercourse. Dry except in the rainy season.

Zionism

The political movement for the establishment on a Jewish state.

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