For centuries, Mecca was the pinnacle of exploration for Western travellers. Shrouded in mystery, it captured the imagination of a small but daring group of European Orientalists
In 1511, there were places in Mecca specifically designated for selling and drinking coffee, known as coffee houses. Decades later, the first café opened in Istanbul.
The sense that the US may be less committed to its allies' security is prompting a rethink of long-held assumptions, much to the delight of China and Russia
Supporting Israel used to help politicians get elected, but with Americans far more critical of Tel Aviv's influence on US policy, it has now become a liability at the ballot box
It is not just a fancy name for the air-conditioning industry, but an intricate system that begins with power stations and extends to the design of buildings and cities
The Palestinian-German author speaks to Al Majalla about the challenges facing Palestinian voices in Germany and how she engages German readers from within their own cultural and political context