Stories of Our City

Though the popular idiom “the blind leading the blind” typically carries a negative connotation, it is literally the best way to sum up the life and occupation of Ziad Farraj, a Palestinian pastor and special education teacher. After beginning to lose his vision at the age of 10 due to a genetic condition, Ziad began a challenging journey toward a restored faith and renewed purpose in life. Listen as Ziad shares the rest of his story, as you hopefully gain an inspiring new understanding of another popular expression: “blind faith.”

Bread is more than a staple food for Firas Al Masaeed. It’s his livelihood, as well as his service to fellow Jordanians and others who come to Jordan for refuge.

The first game Nazareth native Sari Faisal Mohammed Ali remembers playing as a child with his father was "shop"—a game he himself would later play with his children under a blanket at night. Today, he considers the actual souvenir shop his father opened in 1960 in the historic Old City of Nazareth to be home.

Rawan Maraqa is an up-and-coming Arab artist who is literally making her mark in her native Amman, Jordan—having recently completed her very first street mural near the bustling downtown area in the capital city. 

Making pottery can be a lot like life, according to Tovah Anavian Presser, a Jewish glass and ceramic artist with Persian roots. It doesn’t always turn out the way one wishes. But with patience and perseverance, one can often eventually experience the joy of watching it become what it was meant to be.

Yousef al-Amareen proudly carries on the traditions of his nomadic Bedouin ancestors in Jordan, as well as the traditions of Islam— including the yearly celebration of Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice).

Anton Razzouk represents the 28 generation of an Egyptian family of tattoo artists who have specialized in pilgrimage tattoos in the famed city of Jerusalem for the last 500 years. 

Making pottery can be a lot like life, according to Tovah Anavian Presser, a Jewish glass and ceramic artist with Persian roots. It doesn’t always turn out the way one wishes. But with patience and perseverance, one can eventually experience the joy of watching it become what it was meant to be.

Although the holiday of Thanksgiving is only officially celebrated in a few countries in the world, people everywhere have something to be thankful for. For this episode, we sat down in Amman, Jordan, with a few English language students from various countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa to ask them what they are thankful for. We hope their answers encourage and inspire you to also count your blessings, joining their multinational chorus of thanks from around the world.

Homsi Mills, a family business founded in 1942 and currently run by brothers Majdi and Abu Azz Al Homsi, is reportedly the oldest establishment that sells coffee in the city of Amman, Jordan.