Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Levant are the center of human civilizations

Nagaristan Andishe Publishing House launched the book "Acquaintance with the contemporary situation of Arab countries" written by Alireza Hosseini and Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Sharifabadi. A comprehensive work that analyzes the energy geography of the Persian Gulf to the historical roots and civilization links with Iran in two separate parts.

According to Ambassador Arjan, quoted by Ambassador Arjan - Tahira Mehri: The book "Acquaintance with the contemporary situation of Arab countries" authored by Alireza Hosseini and Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Sharifabadi was published in the book market by Nagaristan Andishe Publishing House.

The countries of the Persian Gulf include a series of countries located on the southern edge of the Persian Gulf, which have a special position in the Middle East region in terms of geography, economy and politics. These countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Government of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Government of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, play an important role in the world energy market due to their huge resources of oil and natural gas. Also, the geographical and climatic diversity of this region, from dry deserts to sea coasts, has led to the formation of diverse cultures and lifestyles. Next to these Persian Gulf countries, the land of Yemen is located, which has a special political and economic importance due to its strategic location in the south of the Arabian Peninsula and its proximity to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Familiarity with the contemporary situation of these countries is the key to a better understanding of developments and relations between the countries of the Persian Gulf and Yemen and helps to analyze the current and future situation of this part of the world. With a closer look at these countries, we find out that each of them plays a distinct and sometimes complementary role in the political, social and cultural processes of the region. Saudi Arabia, with its large area, large population and special religious position in the Islamic world, is influential in many regional decisions. On the other hand, countries such as Qatar and Bahrain with smaller size and population, due to the development of modern infrastructure, active diplomacy and focus on education and innovation, have a prominent presence in international forums. The United Arab Emirates, especially focusing on cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has become a model for urban and economic development in the region.

With its balanced foreign policy and relative neutrality, Oman has always played a role in regional mediations. Kuwait has also followed a different path of stability and development with the experience of war and reconstruction. Despite cultural, linguistic and religious commonalities, these countries have different government structures; From absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy. This variety of political structure has led to the formation of different approaches in resource management, foreign policy and interaction with social issues.

Along with these countries, Yemen, with its ancient civilization, authentic culture, and important geopolitical and strategic position, has played a historical and contemporary role in the developments of the Arabian Peninsula. But in recent decades, political crises and civil war have made it one of the most challenging places in the region.

The book "Acquaintance with the contemporary situation of the Arab countries" introduces the reader to these countries from various aspects and gives an overview of the situation of each of these countries. By reading this book, the audience will get acquainted with the geography and climate, contemporary history, government, politics and relations of that country with Iran, the economic situation, culture and customs, education and higher education of that country, and in some cases with the ways of immigrating to that country.

After the preface, in the first part, this book deals with the geographical location and climate, history, politics and government, political relations with Iran, economic situation, social situation, culture and customs, education and higher education, migration routes in the countries of Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In the second part of this book, the same features have been examined in the countries of the Fertile Crescent, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territory.

In the description of ancient history and civilization links of Oman, we read:

"This land has had various names throughout history; The most prominent of these names are (Mojan), (Mazoon) and (Oman). In ancient times, this land was named by the Sumerians as "Arz Majan" and was a place for shipbuilding and copper mining.

Historical research tells about many links between the civilization of Oman and the civilizations of China, India, Mesopotamia, as well as the civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean, the Nile and North Africa. Excavations conducted in Sohar province confirm that the mining and copper industry was one of the main industries of Oman in the second millennium BC. Undoubtedly, the kingdom of Majan or the land of Majan mentioned in the Sumerian inscriptions is the land of Oman.

In the description of the history of the United Arab Emirates, it is stated:

"United Arab Emirates is historically known as Oman; It was also known as Majan, which was mentioned by many Arab historians and writers and others. From this point of view, the history of this region is included in the comprehensive history of Oman and Arabia. This area was originally called the sheikhs of Oman coast. At the end of the 17th century AD, due to the presence of two factors: one is the disorder of the southern sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf and the other is the absence of a powerful central power in Iran, piracy flourished in the southern part of the Persian Gulf coast (from the coast of Abu Dhabi to Ras Musandam); For this reason, this area was called the Thieves Beach. Until after the victory of the Indo-British army against the pirates in 1853 and the signing of the peace treaty, the name of this area was changed to Ashti Beach. It was known by the same name until the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

"Before Islam, this region played an important role in Sassanid business activities in the field of pearl and purple dye business. Qatar is the first known place to produce oyster pigment; The purple color is found naturally in the beaches of this country on some oysters, which is unique in its kind. During the Umayyad period, it was the center of pearl trade in the Persian Gulf. During the Abbasid period, ships traveling from Basra to China and India docked at Qatar ports.

"Dilmon is the Sumerian name of a region in ancient times that flourished 2000 years BC and was centered in the Persian Gulf. According to Encyclopedia Britannica 83, the center of this civilization was in the island of Bahrain. However, some researchers consider the possible location of Dilmun to be the region of Ahsa and Qatif in eastern Arabia or present-day Qatar.

The Achaemenid Empire took control of this region in the 4th century BC. The entire southern coast of the Persian Gulf fell into the hands of the Parthians in the third century BC. After them, Ardeshir I, the Sassanid king, once again gained control over the land of Bahrain and the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and Oman, and made his son Shapur the ruler of Bahrain. At that time, this land was considered a Sassanid province, which was divided into the three regions of Al-Hofuf and Qatif in Arabia and a small island known as the country of Bahrain today. Until the arrival of Islam, this land was governed by Arab tribes appointed by the Sassanids.

In the description of the ancient history of Kuwait, we read:

"According to the excavations carried out in different areas of Kuwait, the presence of prehistoric artifacts such as arrowheads and flints and other artifacts obtained from Filke Island and Umm al-Naml Island indicate the ancient history of this region. In terms of historical connection, this region is related to ancient Iran. The land of Kuwait was under the rule of the Achaemenid and Parthian empires in the centuries before Christ. The island of Kuwait Filke fell to Alexander the Great in the third century BC.

In the description of the history before the rise of Islam, we read:

"Since the history of the Arabian Peninsula has been unified in the past and has become several countries in the present era, therefore the history of this region, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, may overlap with countries such as the Republic of Yemen, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Government of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Iraq.

Historical studies show that the oldest civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula were in the Najran region, and two civilizations (Al-Abeid) and (Delmun) flourished in the Qatif region and the Persian Gulf. Civilizations such as the civilization of the Ad people emerged in the south of the Rubab al-Khali desert. The tribe of Thamud also lived in Wadi al-Qari in the land of Tabuk. There are still many ancient artifacts left from this people. By carving big rocks, they have drawn pictures on them. Also, by building corridors in these rocks, they used them as a place to live.

The Kandeh tribe is also known as one of the important tribes of the Arabian Peninsula in ancient times. A small ancient city named al-Faw in the south of Arabia remains from this tribe. This city is a complete representation of an Arab city, before the emergence of Islam.

Madin tribe was also among the tribes that lived in the land of Tabuk. It is worth mentioning that the name of this people is mentioned in the holy books. "Stone patterns on rocks and boulders are one of the most important works left by them."

In the history of Yemen, we read:

"Artifacts and evidences have been obtained, which show that Yemen has a rich and ancient history. Signs of urbanization and civilization gradually appeared in this land from two thousand years BC. until the kingdom of Sheba emerged in 1200 BC. "Four tribal unions, namely the Kingdom of Sheba, the Kingdom of Hadramaut, the Kingdom of Qobtan and the Kingdom of Moin, emerged in the history of this country."

In the second part of the book, in the description of the history of Iraq, we read about the countries of the Fertile Crescent:

"Neanderthal man lived in a cave called (Shaneder) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq between 65,000 and 35,000 years before Christ. Also, in the same area, a grave has been discovered, the date of which is estimated to be around ten thousand years BC. The land of Iraq, known in the past as Mian-Rodan or Mian-Dorud, together with the Anatolian plateau and the land of Levant, were known as the center of human civilizations.

Humans started farming and animal husbandry in these areas for the first time during the Neolithic period. Also, in these lands, for the first time, the manufacture of utensils and tools with stone, plaster and lime began.

The historical periods of the land between the rivers (Iraq) are, respectively: the hanging gardens of Babylon, the Sumerian civilization and the Akkadian empire, the city-state of Babylon and Assyria (539-2000 BC), the Achaemenid Empire (330-550 BC), the Seleucids (312 BC-63 AD), the Ashkans (224-247 BC), the Sassanid Empire (651-224 AD), the Islamic Caliphate era. The Umayyads (132-132 AH), the Abbasids (132-656 AH), the Mongol attack (656 AH), or Al-Jalair (835-740 AH), the Timurids (771-911 AH), the Qaraqoyunlu (871-779 AH), the Aqqoyunlu (906-853 AH) and the Safavids (941-914 AH).

In general, the aim of this book will be to get to know the Arab countries from various aspects, and with the help of it, a general overview of the situation of each of these countries will be obtained.

The book "Acquaintance with the contemporary situation of Arab countries" authored by Alireza Hosseini and Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Sharifabadi was published by Nagaristan Andisheh Publishing House. Pages and numbers of 200 copies were published by Andisheh Publishing House.