Arabic

History

Old Weird Arabia: South Arabian Inscriptions and Medieval Islam

When the first Muslims came to Yemen, they came across thousands of ancient inscriptions, written centuries before by South Arabia’s pre-Islamic rulers. Medieval Muslims came to re-interpret these inscriptions to fit their own worldviews, from ancient warnings to memories of heroic deeds.

Imar Koutchoukali • 15-09-2021

Art, literature and media

Longread: Citi Yousoff’s Spiritual Journey and the Arts of Divine Calligraphy and Graceful Indifference

The loss of her daughter spurred Citi Yousoff onto a spiritual journey. It led her to study calligraphy with the renowned master Hasan Çelebi. Today she is one of the very few female calligraphers with an ijazah, a traditional licence. What drives her? And how does she view her position?

David Kloos • 02-04-2021

History · Art, literature and media

Middle Eastern Manuscripts in the Digital World

Peter Webb discusses the shortcomings of studying printed editions of Arabic sources, and introduces a new Leiden initiative designed to help overcome the pitfalls: Mouse&Manuscript, a free online suite of lessons covering the essentials of how to read Middle Eastern manuscripts.

Peter Webb • 07-01-2021

History

The Governor’s Orders: Part Two

Read the history behind the story published here last year on the arrival of a message from the governor of Egypt in an eighth-century Egyptian village.

Eline Scheerlinck • 24-01-2020

History

When is an Arab not an Arab?

Recent and ongoing research at Leiden and elsewhere is changing the way we think about the words “Arab”, “Arabian” and “Muslim” in early Islam and before. Ed Hayes reflects on recent conversations with colleagues to consider “what’s in a name”?

Edmund Hayes • 12-10-2018

Blogs

Old Weird Arabia: South Arabian Inscriptions and Medieval Islam

Longread: Citi Yousoff’s Spiritual Journey and the Arts of Divine Calligraphy and Graceful Indifference

Middle Eastern Manuscripts in the Digital World

The Governor’s Orders: Part Two

When is an Arab not an Arab?