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Arabs

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Arabs are an ethnic group with a very long history.

Arab people around the world
Arab people around the world

Most Arabs live in the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. Many other Arabs live in different parts of the world too. Today, the word Arab usually describes people who speak Arabic as their native language. They share a common bond through their language, culture, and history. This shared identity helps them feel connected to one another.

Detailed Afroasiatic map
Detailed Afroasiatic map

Ancient history shows how Arab groups lived and worked.

Receipt for garnments sent by boat to Dilmun BM 130462
Receipt for garnments sent by boat to Dilmun BM 130462

Since 3000 BCE, some groups moved through desert edges. Other groups built important civilizations like Dilmun, Gerrha, and Magan. These people helped trade goods between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Sea. Some tribes, like the Midian, are even mentioned in the Bible and Quran. By 900 BCE, the Qedarites lived in lands from Egypt to the Levant. Many powerful kingdoms also rose in Arabia between 1200 BCE and 110 BCE.

Many famous kingdoms and leaders appeared in the past.

Petra, Al-Khazneh 2
Petra, Al-Khazneh 2

The Nabataeans built a kingdom with a capital called Petra around 300 BCE. Later, the Palmyrene Empire grew very large under Queen Zenobia. This empire included parts of Egypt and Syria. Around 200 CE, Arab-ruled kingdoms like Osroene lived in Upper Mesopotamia. In the 6th century BCE, inscriptions in Yemen used the term 'Arab.' One old inscription from 328 CE even calls a man the 'King of all the Arabs.'

Epitaph Imru-l-Qays Louvre AO4083
Epitaph Imru-l-Qays Louvre AO4083

During the Middle Ages, the spread of Islam changed much.

The Early Muslim Conquests 630s to 820s
The Early Muslim Conquests 630s to 820s

Large Arab empires like the Umayyad and Abbasid rose to power. These empires helped spread the Arabic language to many new areas. At its peak, these territories were among the largest in history. They stretched all the way from southern France to western China. This period saw many people move to places like the Maghreb.

Harun al-Rashid receives envoys from Charlemagne
Harun al-Rashid receives envoys from Charlemagne

Modern history also shows how Arab identity stays strong.

Arab League-Map-WS
Arab League-Map-WS

In the early 20th century, the Great Arab Revolt helped change the Ottoman Empire. This led to the creation of the Arab League on 22 March 1945. The league helps nations work toward a unified Arab homeland. Today, Arabs contribute to many fields like science, art, and medicine. They have unique customs in music, food, and architecture. Most Arabs are Muslims, but many are also Christians, Druze, or Bahá'ís.

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🖼️ Images & Media (45)
File:Epitaph Imru-l-Qays Louvre AO4083.jpg
Epitaph Imru-l-Qays Louvre AO4083.jpg
File:Midian.png
Midian.png
File:Roman Empire - Arabia Petraea (125 AD).svg
Roman Empire - Arabia Petraea (125 AD).svg
File:Petra, Al-Khazneh 2.jpg
Petra, Al-Khazneh 2.jpg
File:Receipt for garnments sent by boat to Dilmun BM 130462.jpg
Receipt for garnments sent by boat to...
File:Qedarites Map.svg
Qedarites Map.svg
File:Queen of Sheba0027.jpg
Queen of Sheba0027.jpg
File:Dhamar Ali Yahbur (bust).jpg
Dhamar Ali Yahbur (bust).jpg
File:Qataban lion bronze.jpg
Qataban lion bronze.jpg
File:HymiariteKingdomAugustusImitation1stCenturyCE.jpg
HymiariteKingdomAugustusImitation1stCenturyCE.jpg
File:Northern Mesopotamian vassal kingdoms AD 200.png
Northern Mesopotamian vassal kingdoms AD 200.png
File:KingdomOfEmesa.png
KingdomOfEmesa.png

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