"Gnosis" is a Greek word which means "knowledge" or "awareness" and it is precisely with this in mind that Gnosticism is born. Gnosticism can be best described as a mode of being that is optimal to for attaining the "Ultimate Knowledge". It is a state of mind and a mode of being that brings you closer to the Divine. Far from the dogmatic approach o…

As turmoil, chaos, rampant corruption, crippling poverty and political rivalries ravaged the Roman Empire, a man rose from among the people and preached a message of hope, piety, individual sovereignty and justice for the poor, destitute people of Judea. This man, a beacon of light in a sea of darkness was the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth (Peace be Up…

Born of smokeless fires and scorching winds. They are the shadows on the walls, the creatures of the night, the others. Imagine a world, where sandstorms are mighty creatures settling their scores. Imagine a world where these creatures are soul mates and blood brothers, who imitate your every move and your every speech. They follow you around, live…

Poetry, Generosity and Knighthood (Furusiyah). These are the big 3 when it comes to the culture of the ancient Arabs. As romantic as it is brutal one can not deny the importance that this culture has on Islam and on the world. It exported the concept of the romantic knight in armor to Europe and the mystical creatures of Djinn to Persia. Honor is t…

In this first installment of our second season, we dive into the pre-Islamic era. Also known as the Jahiliyah period, the Age of Ignorance. This period is the ~400 years before Islam. It is commonly known that this era in Arab history was a period of barbaric practices, shameless display of nudity and low moral standards. But how true was this? Was…

Who are the 'Ad? Who are Thamud? Some swear they were giants who defied God because of their arrogance. The superstitious swear they are Djinn. Certain legends even describe them as one-armed, one-legged creatures from space. Others claim they never existed. Poets recall them fondly saying "if I had been the race of Ad and Iram". Cities of pillars …

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban return to the land of Yemen, a land gripped by war between two powers who - by exploiting religious animosity - vie for control over the Middle East. This is not contemporary Yemen but the long ago story of Dhu Nuwas, the Jewish King of Himyar, and the tragedy of the Christians of Najran. This event has be…

In this episode Houston and Oban will take you on a voyage to discover the Syrian Queen of Arab origin: Zenobia of Palmyra. Known for her beauty, intelligence and her strong character, the Queen of Palmyra was hailed as a descendant of Cleopatra and a savior of her people. She led her armies in many campaigns to expand the territory of her empire, …

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban examine the lost civilization of the Nabataeans. The people famed for their desert capital Petra, and in this discussion our hosts examine the city itself and the civilization that made it possible. Who were the Gods of the Nabataeans, what mysterious cults ruled this ancient land? How did they organize so…

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban examine the lost civilization of the Nabataeans. The people famed for their desert capital Petra. Where did the Nabataean Arabs come from? How did they interact with their Jewish neighbours? How do the Nabataeans tie in with the story of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth? All these questions and…

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban examine the pre-Islamic history of Yemen. How were the ancient Yemenite kingdoms organized? How were they related to the Arabs to their north? What was their relationship to the great powers of the age, especially Rome? All these questions and more are explored in this episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights!…

In this episode we discuss the mysterious origins of the Arab people through the lens of science and legend. We explore how, by tradition, the Arab people identify their origins in southern Arabia. How does this square with the genetic and linguistic evidence? Who were Adnan and Qahtan. How are their stories connected with the Abrahamic tradition? …