Al Fusaic

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 are also known as a Sharifian empire, or a community directly descended from the Prophet Muhammed, PBUH. The El Badi Palace in Marrakech which still stands today, is one of its best-known architectural marvels. Thank you to Emelie Jimenez for writing about this influential dynasty from recent history.

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 capitulations and concessions to foreign governments for access to their natural resources. Thank you to Al Fusaic fellow Sabrina Pecorelli for writing about this influential dynasty from recent history.

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 of its reign. Many of the remaining buildings in modern Sudan were once churches as the center of religious, community, and political life. Thank you to Maeve Cassetty for writing about this empire.

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 much more. The largest piece of the Macedonian legacy is the city of Alexandria, Egypt, showcasing the blend of cultures, architectures, and designs that made this empire strong. Thank you to content writer Tania Valdés for deepening our knowledge of this important empire.

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-continental trade routes, and a sophisticated taxation system, the Abbasid Caliphate lasted nearly 500 years. Thank you to Heba Assem for sharing all your knowledge on this fascinating and immense empire.