Map by Varidhi Singh

Baghdad, Iraq

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 06:43:34 UTC

This American action film is set in the war zones of Baghdad and follows a group of U.S. intelligence officers on a mission to retrieve weapons of mass destruction.

I chose this movie because it highlights the persistent stereotyping of the Middle East by media platforms for monetary gain. While Baghdad has indeed been a site of war and conflict, it is also home to a rich and beautiful history and culture. Yet, media platforms repeatedly choose to emphasize violence and destruction rather than celebrating the region’s depth and heritage.

Damascus, Syria

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 06:47:36 UTC

Damascus, Syria is the oldest capital of the world. I can only wonder about the priceless pieces of history that must reside in the Damascus National Museum!

Kosovo

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 06:52:37 UTC

Identifying Kosovo with a photo of two young children celebrating a national festival is quite apt, given that Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe and is Europe's youngest country

Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 06:56:33 UTC

Isfahan's architecture represents the symbiosis of Persian-muslim cultures, and it is frequently known as the City of Turquoise Domes!

Aegean Sea

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:00:20 UTC

This photo depicts Aegeus, one of the legendary kings of Athens in Greek mythology and the namesake of the Aegean Sea. His legacy symbolizes the strong commercial and trade connections between Greece and the Middle East, with the Aegean Sea serving as a vital trade route throughout history.

Gallipoli, Province of Lecce, Italy

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:15:14 UTC

This photo captures the Gallipoli Attack of April 25, 1915, when Allied troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Ottoman Turkey. The campaign was part of a strategy to secure passage through the Dardanelles, capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), and ultimately remove the Ottoman Empire from the war. I chose this photo as a reminder of the many transformations the modern-day Middle East has undergone to become what it is today.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:23:12 UTC

This is Bukhara, one of my favorite restaurants in New Delhi! I’ve spent many nights here enjoying delicious Afghani food.This photo represents my personal celebration and appreciation of the rich flavors and cultural influences that connect the Middle East and South Asia.

Ganges

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:28:05 UTC

A woman with her hands folded into prayer. The Ganges is India's holy river, and this photo accurately portrays the auspiciousness associated with it.

Herat, Afghanistan

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:33:28 UTC

This is the wine cup of Sultan Husayn-Mirza Bayqara. Herat was once known for its fine wine production, highlighting the diversity of Islamic practices and challenging the blanket statement that "Muslims don’t drink alcohol."

Red Sea

vsingh25_2 — 2025-02-03 07:48:21 UTC

Th Red Sea, due to its warm temperatures, and high levels of salinity, boasts some of the most vibrant marine life in the world. The colorful fish might just be as vivid as the surrounding countrys' culture!

Eyüp Sultan Camii, Eyüp Merkez, Cami Kebir Sokak, Eyüpsultan/İstanbul, Türkiye

2025-04-07 05:40:28 UTC

The Mihrişah Sultan Complex in Istanbul’s Eyüp neighborhood is the only Ottoman imaret still serving original fucntion today!

Akşehir, Konya, Turkey

2025-04-07 05:43:51 UTC

This place has a tombstone for Nasreddin Hoca!