This is where the curiosity bit of afikra’s mission is explored and constructed to share with our global community. From teenagers to teachers and college grads, there’s plenty for everyone to tickle their brain in Academy.

Welcome to the afikra Academy

Global Connect
High School Program

Registration for Spring 2025 opening soon!

Join a unique virtual exchange designed for high school students with deep interest in the Arab world to learn about our past and present, and help shape this region’s future.

This program is developed with the support and guidance of The University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies and The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

Featured
The Egyptian Women’s Rights Movement
The Egyptian Women’s Rights Movement

An introduction to the Egyptian Women’s Movement and its pioneers. With a link to our lesson plan that delves into this topic for high-schoolers.

The Travels of Ibn Battuta
The Travels of Ibn Battuta

A look at the life and travels of legendary wanderer Ibn Batutta. With an introduction to our afikra lesson plans!

House of Wisdom: Inventions in the Islamic Golden Age
House of Wisdom: Inventions in the Islamic Golden Age

Highlighting some of the scholars and their inventions from the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.

Music & Pearl Diving in the Arabian Gulf
Music & Pearl Diving in the Arabian Gulf

The Pearl Industry and its music are an integral part of the Gulf’s cultural heritage. A brief look at its history and an introduction to our free-to-use lesson plan on this topic.

Stitching Identities: Palestinian Tatreez as Resistance
Stitching Identities: Palestinian Tatreez as Resistance

A short introduction to Palestinian tatreez and its symbolism as a tool of resistance, relating to the lesson plan we developed in collaboration with University of Chicago’s CMES.

Between Two Worlds: The Mahjar Literary Movement
Between Two Worlds: The Mahjar Literary Movement

An introduction to the Mahjar Literary Movement and the contents of our lesson plan developed in collaboration with the University of Chicago CMES.

Teacher Resources

Are you an educator inspiring a new generation of students to discover and learn about this part of the world? We see you. We appreciate you. And like from most corners of afikra, we have a no-strings-attached gift for you 🎁 

Our Academy has developed comprehensive resources suitable for high school classrooms as supplementary materials on Arab histories and cultures. From our history’s greatest library to its most legendary traveler, you’ll surely find something to spark curiosity about our region in your young and bright. Our Lesson plans are inspired by our vast multi-media library, another source of educational treasures.

This project was supported by the University of Chicago Center for Middle Eastern Studies through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
For more information about CMES, please visit cmes.uchicago.edu

Global Youth Summit

A virtual leadership summit for stellar high school students and teachers interested in shaping the Arab world's future & present.

afikra Academy's Global Youth Summit aims to connect students to professionals doing outstanding work in the Arab World across various sectors. It's an excellent opportunity to network with professionals and peers alike. This summit is free and open to all high school students interested in the Arab World.

Arab World Teachers Network

Join the Afikra Arab World Teachers Network

Stay tuned for exciting developments! We're in the process of building a vibrant community for educators dedicated to exploring and teaching about the Arab world. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of educational innovation and cultural exchange.