Heritage - Arabia Felix Magazine

Linking Ancient Civilizations Of the fabled Sabaean kingdoms, a rushed rescue excavation and a sensational discovery

The name Mesopotamia (coming from the Greek words µέσος “between” and ποταμός “river”) refers to the fertile region between the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers, and has been home to some of the world’s most prominent ancient civilizations beginning with prehistoric cultures such as the Ubaid as well as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. It was there that the world’s oldest religion, astrology, complex agricultural irrigation systems as well as one of the first, if not the first, writing systems developed. One of the most intensively studied ancient regions it is also known as the “Cradle of Civilization”.
[ Issue Four ]

Discover Muslim Heritage in the World

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, a period known as the Middle or Dark Ages descended over Europe. It is during this time that scientific thought flourished in the Middle East. Under the patronage of the great Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates to name a few, Muslims distinguished themselves as scientific scholars and contributed immense gains in virtually all fields of science. From soap-making to surgical procedures, from the system of numbers we use to that delicious warm brown substance we all know as coffee, the ancient inventors from the Islamic world did more than their share in paving the way towards the progress of civilization as we know it.
[ Issue Four ]

A Common Ground Beyond Religion: Yemen, an Ancient Jewish Homeland

It is often said that in Yemen one finds the most Muslim of Muslims. Likewise, it is often said that Yemeni Jews are the most Jewish Jews of all. In a country of contrasts, here are two pre-eminent examples. Both are uncompromising in their religious faith. Both live by ancient traditions, largely unaltered over the centuries. Both love their homeland of Yemen and both derive moral and physical strength from this ancient land.
[ Issue Three ]

Al-Abbas mosque wins international award

The local population continues to revere the mosque and the site today still holds special significance for them. Set in the highlands of Yemen, 40 kilometres from Sana’a Near Al-asnaf Al-Abbas Mosque dates from the last days of the Sulayhid Dynasty. An inscription in the interior dates the building to Dhu al-Hijjah 519 (December 1125–January 1126 in the Gregorian calendar) and names the founder as Sultan Musa bin Muhammed al-Fitti. Another inscription names the builder or architect as Muhammed ibn Abul-Fath ibn Arhab. But the mosque is in fact named after a little-known figure called ‘Abbas’, a holy man who is believed to be burried there.
[ Issue Three ]