Middle Eastern and North African Association at University Of Toledo

Take a moment to welcome our new 2025-2026 MENAA executive board!

❗️Looking forward to seeing you all next Wednesday, August 27❗️

Last Friday for this semester is here, this time from Iran’s city of Gonbad-e Qavus.

Qavus ibn Voshgmir, Ziyarid ruler, has had a 53 meter high tower built in 1006 near the ancient capital of Ziyarid Empire, Gurgan. The main objects of the tower are the two Kufic inscriptions and the fired brick tapers, which are a significnt architectural style in the area.

Gonbad-e Qavus is part of since 2012.

📸: Wikipedia

Next semester is not here yet, but the possibility to be part of MENAA is. Apply now for our board and take the future of MENAA into your own hands!🤩
The application is open until May 15 and you can find it in our bio!

Friday with MENAA UT discovering Petra in Jordan🇯🇴

Petra, caravan city from Nabataean times is situated halfway between Red and Dead Sea. Its position gives it important place on a trade route map in the Middle East. It is half-built, half-carved into red sandstone rock, which gives it its iconic red-like colouring. Most known architectural structures are temples like Khasna, the Palace Tomb, Deir and the Urn Tomb.

Petra is part of the since 1985.

📸:UNESCO, National Geographic

We wrapped up the semester with so much joy and community!
Thanks to everyone who came out to our End-of-Semester Sahra. From karaoke to Byblos food and games, it was a cozy night we won’t forget. Grateful for this beautiful MENA fam!

Friday from Libya 🇱🇾!

Sabratha, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, was a Roman and Phoenician polis. Strategically located on the north coast of the continent, it provided an outlet for products coming to Europe. The biggest cultural boom came in second and third century AD.

Sabratha was inscripted into the list in 1982.

📸: UNESCO, TheTravel

Join us for a magical night to wrap up the semester!
MENAA & Arabesque present: End-of-Semester Sahra
Friday, April 18 | 5:30 PM | FH 2420
Enjoy Lebanese food from Byblos, Arabic karaoke, games, and good vibes✨
All are welcome, bring your friends and come celebrate!

Happening now! The Middle East Forum is in full swing in celebration of Arab American Cultural Heritage Month Featuring presentations by Athena, Shereen, and Max on Iranian Arabs, Lebanese women’s rights, and how language shapes conflict. Proudly presented by MENAA and Arabesque, with support from the Department of World Languages.

We had a great time on our field trip to Dearborn, MI! We learned a lot about Arab American history and culture, visited amazing places, and enjoyed the yummy food. Thanks to everyone who came with us!

Arab American month and Friday (this week) gives its focus to the former capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Babylon. The property is situated 55 miles south of current capital of Iraq 🇮🇶, Baghdad.

Babylon (known also as Babel) has been a pivotal place of Middle Eastern architectural and religious development. Most notable properties are the inner-city walls (first photo), gates, temples and the ziggurat.

Babylon was inscripted into the site list in 2019.

📸: al-Jazeera