Cultural heritage

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3,000-year-old gold bracelet vanishes from Egypt museum: What we know

Egyptian authorities are searching for a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet that vanished from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

A beekeeper walks by his beehives set in a valley in the Armenian province of Kotayk, with Mount Ararat seen in the background, on May 15, 2019.

Armenia's Pashinyan drops Mount Ararat from border stamps in 'concession' to Turkey

Armenia’s government will stop using Mount Ararat on border stamps starting in November, a move that has stirred outrage at home and fueled debate over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s outreach to Turkey.

Divers watch as a crane pulls an artifact from the waters at Abu Qir bay in Alexandria on Aug. 21, 2025, as part of an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to recover sunken antiquities.

From the depths: Egypt raises archaeological relics from sunken city

The raising of three massive artifacts from an ancient sunken city in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alexandria is Egypt's first such operation in 25 years.

Visitors at the first night of the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 in Malham city on Aug. 5, 2025.

Saudi Arabia’s falcon auction aims to spin tradition into tourism gold

Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy and cultural tourism.

Latest News

Syria mandates burkinis for women at public beaches: What to know

A Tunisian woman wearing a "burkini", a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, walks in the water with a child on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of the capital Tunis. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

What to know about 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb uncovered in Syria

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In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East

Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in in the holy city of Mecca to take part in morning prayers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, early on June 6, 2025.

Egypt, Greece pledge to protect Mount Sinai monastery after court ruling: What to know

An Egyptian Bedouin walks with his camel on Feb. 24, 2000, outside the walls of Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, some 400 kilometers southeast of Cairo.

The pilgrims' convoy departs from the city of Al-Dana, Syria, to Damascus Airport in order to set off to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals on May 21, 2025.

Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know

Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies.

A worshiper waves the flag of Argentina as Pope Francis arrives for the weekly general audience on June 5, 2019 at St. Peter's square in the Vatican. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88

Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins

Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know

The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts.

Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, early on March 30, 2025.

In photos: Muslims celebrate Eid el-Fitr across the Middle East

Muslims in the Middle East came together on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

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Israeli army escorts ultra-Orthodox Jews to religious site in south Lebanon: What to know

The Israeli military allowed hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Israeli civilians into southern Lebanon to visit a religious site, meeting condemnation from Lebanon's army.

Pigeons fly in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosques compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, ahead of the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan on Feb. 28, 2025.

Muslims across Middle East welcome Ramadan despite war, inflation

Amid fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon and shifting dynamics for Iran, Syria and others, the region is preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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Feature

Christians in Syria hopeful but wary of Sharaa’s intentions

Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reassure minorities their rights will be protected under the new government. But not all Christians are convinced by his message of inclusivity.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A visitor views the busts of Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator.

In search for Cleopatra's tomb, Egypt claims new discoveries

A team led by Kathleen Martinez, who has worked for two decades in hopes of finding Cleopatra’s tomb, has unearthed new discoveries in an ancient city near Alexandria.

The newly discovered chamber in the north tower of the temple at Athribis is pictued in this undated photo.

Egypt: Archaeologists unearth 2,100-year-old temple in ancient village

The Egyptian government said the recent findings could lead to the discovery of a massive temple as significant as the Luxor Temple.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

After years of diplomatic disputes, French President Emmanuel Macron is adamant on repairing ties with Morocco.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images

Tyre, Lebanon's ancient city, bombarded by Israeli airstrikes

Israeli airstrikes are pounding ancient Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Members of Israeli security forces guard the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following clashes that erupted during Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jerusalem on April 5, 2023.

Analysis

Why Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa compound rhetoric is dangerous and disruptive

Israel's far-right minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the establishment of a synagogue at the sensitive Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex, engendering fierce responses from Palestinian and Israeli leaders alike.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics