Where did I first learn about AramcoWorld… Perhaps in the stacks of a university library? Or later, on visits to the Aramco compound while I lived in Dhahran? No matter the connection, the fact remain the same — the free magazine and website AramcoWorld publishes outstanding pieces about Arab and Islamic cultures around the world. These include breath-taking photos, scrumptious recipes, book reviews, and top-notch feature articles.
Today we highlight the fantastic diversity of this work, exploring some issues of the print magazine and the unique pieces that AramcoWorld posts online. Come dive in, you won’t be disappointed!
A Rich Array of Topics and Resources
As the magazine explains in its bimonthly printing, AramcoWorld aims to “increase cross-cultural understanding by broadening knowledge of the histories, cultures and geography of the Arab and Muslim worlds and their global connections.”
To accomplish this, the magazine covers everything from culture and history, to food, science and nature. Feature articles mix with shorter segments on photography, regional recipes, book reviews, and upcoming exhibits around the world.
The magazine is available for free (get back issues here!) and publishes most articles online too. In addition, the website offers opportunities not available in print. A video library brings new visual elements to their printed stories and gives demonstrations of music and art. In addition, a Learning Center provides lessons and tools for middle school and high school students, as well as undergraduates.
Issue: January/February 2022
The latest issue of AramcoWorld, Jan/Feb 2022, describes how wooden mashrabiya balconies came to Peru. A few pages later, a detailed guide shows how to draw the curving Alicatado pattern found in the Alhambra palace of Granada. Sarah al-Hamad, whose cookbook I included in this post, adds a delicious recipe for a chocolate date torte.
We see a muralist painting geometric patterns of “calligraffiti” in the UK and Germany. And Juliet Highet pens a tribute to a special Tunisian cemetery founded last year by artist Rachid Karachi. His “Garden of Africa” honors the migrants and refugees who died crossing the Mediterranean towards Europe. Download the full Jan/Feb 2022 issue here to read these pieces and more.
Issue: September/October 2021
Going back further, an older issue Sept/Oct 2021 has a number of incredible pieces. Explore the story of the Beirut-Damascus railroad, which ran from 1885 through the 1970s. Zina Hemady and Norbert Schiller walk the old rail-route, tracing the history through the countryside and mountain landscape.
Vegan cuisine takes center stage too, with an article on the Middle Eastern vegan kitchen. Accompanying recipes include a green bean stew, Moroccan tomato lentil soup, and a salad of fennel, beetroot, and oranges. Continuing the culinary theme, “Spice Migrations: Cumin” follows the history of this spice. Did you know that the first written mention of cumin appeared on clay tablets from 1700 BCE?
This issue’s book reviews include a travel narrative along the Silk Road, a study of correspondence between ancient Egyptians, and other works.
Issue: July/August 2021
The cover of AramcoWorld July/Aug 2021 highlights one of the stunning articles inside. Lee Lawrence brilliantly depicts the world of cylindrical seals from ancient Mesopotamia. Photos of several dozen miniature seals from the Morgan Library and Museum punctuate this detailed account. We learn how seals were used and the evolution of their styles and forms.
Other articles shine brightly too. I particularly enjoy Ken Chitwood’s piece on Ramadan television series. Streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube now compete with satellite channels for new dramas, or broadcast popular shows from previous years. Chitwood mentions the drama Al Hayba, the Emirati series Justice, and the Kuwaiti show I Have a Script, for instance. All of these are still on Netflix today.
In addition, this issue continues the “Spice Migrations” series, this time focusing on the history of cloves. And we find books reviews such as a children’s book where a boy questions his fear of ghouls, and a study of the “Golden Age” of Arab music, 1930-1970.
What Next?
Click on the AramcoWorld articles and issues above, and tell us what you think. What are your favorite pieces and why? Which sections of the magazine do you like best? Flip through the videos and book reviews. Try some of the recipes, then tell us what to cook next.
Discover the magazine for yourself! Head to the AramcoWorld homepage for the latest articles, get PDFs of back issues, and download their free mobile app. Follow AramcoWorld through their Facebook page or the regular posts on their Instagram feed.
Lastly, if you liked this post, please check out some of the other pieces on my blog. Recent posts focus on the world of street art in Amman, a group of must-see Coptic Monasteries just outside Cairo, and a review of Arablit.org – the best resource about Arabic literature in translation.
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