In Muslim countries, tea is more than just a hot drink. It is very important to the heritage, traditions and cultures in which it originates.
For #InternationalTeaDay we celebrate the art of tea, with 24 different types of tea from across the Muslim world…
A thread…
1/ Somali Shaah
A spiced black chai made throughout Somalia. It is found across the Somali diaspora & is a cousin of Yemeni, Kenyan & Indian chais. It differs from other chais in that it often omits black pepper, & the milk is added after the cooking process #InternationalTeaDay
2/ Persian Chai
Black tea, called chai in Farsi, is one of the most popular drinks in Iran. It is so popular that it is more than just a drink – it is part of Persian culture. Black tea leaves are boiled with cardamom pods for the perfect Persian chai #InternationalTeaDay
3/ Yemeni Shai Adeni
Shai Adeni (Shahi Mulaban, Shahi Haleeb, Arabic Shai, Adeni Tea) is a Yemeni tea from the coastal city of Aden flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk with a bit of sugar #InternationalTeaDay
4/ Egyptian Koshary Shai
Generally the preferred tea in the northern part of Egypt. It is a lighter tea, that is prepared by the steeping tea leaves in hot water. Sugar is added in copious amounts. Sometimes, mint leaves are added to make the tea refreshing #InternationalTeaDay
5/ Indian Masala Chai
Masala means spice, and chai means tea. Therefore, masala chai means tea with spices. It's typically made of loose leaf black tea like assam, whole milk, a variety of fragrant and warming spices including cloves & cinnamon, and sugar #InternationalTeaDay
6/ Z-hourat, Lebanon & Syria
A popular herbal tea made from a blend of aromatic herbs. This tea is the perfect combination of rich herbs, fragrant smells & goodness. It includes dried Rose petals, Lavender, Hibiscus, Chamomile, Thyme, Sage & Mint #InternationalTeaDay
7/ Afghani Kahwah
A combination of green tea, cardamom pods, cinnamon bark & saffron strands. It may also include peppercorns, ginger & almonds. Each family has their own recipe passed down from generation to generation #InternationalTeaDay
8/ Saudi Finjan Erfeh
A spicy zesty tea from Saudi Arabia. Made with black tea leaves, anise seeds, honey, lemon juice and sugar #InternationalTeaDay
9/ Kashmiri Tea
Often called Pink Tea, Kashmiri chai is a milk tea characterized by its dusty pink color and garnishing of crushed nuts. It's brewed with green tea leaves and baking soda, and then mixed with milk to give it a distinct pink colour #InternationalTeaDay
10/ Palestinian Shay bil Maramiya (شاي بالمرامية)
Made by steeping black tea leaves with dried sage. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish and is a common treatment for stomach aches. A little sugar is mixed in as desired #InternationalTeaDay
11/ Turkish Tea
Turks use curved, tulip-shaped tea glasses on a small saucer to serve their traditional delicious popular black tea, which has a unique slightly bitter taste, and is sweetened with sugar #InternationalTeaDay
12/ Mauritian Tea
Black tea is the traditional choice in Mauritius, however, the locally-produced vanilla tea is a firm favourite. In Mauritius, tea is usually served sweet, with a hefty dose of powdered milk #InternationalTeaDay
13/ Iraqi Chai
Prepared in a special way boiling tea in hot water, then placing it over a second tea pot with boiling water to let the tea infuse. Iraqi tea is renowned for being a lot stronger, richer & sweeter than those found in neighbouring countries #InternationalTeaDay
14/ Moroccan Mint Tea
Made by steeping green tea with a generous handful of spearmint leaves, it is sometimes also made with other types of mint or herbs, and traditionally served in small glass cups #InternationalTeaDay
15/ Sudanese Cinnamon Tea
A blend of black tea steeped with cinnamon sticks. Many people like to hold a sugar cube between the teeth while drinking to sweeten the brew #InternationalTeaDay
16/ Kuwaiti tea (Arabic: الشاي الكويتي; "Shay al Kuwaiti")
There are two popular types. One is a sweet cinnamon tea made with cinnamon sticks and sugar. Another type of Kuwaiti tea is saffron and cardamom tea. This tea is usually served after lunch #InternationalTeaDay
17/ Uzbek Tea
Tea is the main drink in Uzbekistan. Any meal starts with Uzbek tea and ends with it. The most popular is green tea (kuk-choy). Black tea (kora-choy) is most popular in Tashkent. Generally, Uzbek tea is taken without sugar #InternationalTeaDay
18/ Omani Spiced Milk Tea
Called Special Karak in Oman, this sweet milk tea is spiced with cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and ginger. Sweetened condensed milk brings intense creaminess #InternationalTeaDay
19/ Ethiopian Spiced Shahee
This is more of an infusion than a true tea, since it isn't made with tea leaves. It is made using ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and a slice fresh ginger boiled together #InternationalTeaDay
20/ Teh Tarik Pulled tea, Singapore & Malaysia
A hot milk tea, like Karak Chai, but with a twist. It is popular in countries like Singapore and Malaysia. A unique technique goes into making this tea, and it gets its name from it too, 'pulled tea' #InternationalTeaDay
21/ Indian Karak Chai
A traditional tea that is rich in flavor. The word karak literally means strong, and hence you know that the flavor is going to pack a punch! Made with black tea, sweetened condensed milk, freshly ground cardamom, sugar, and saffron #InternationalTeaDay
22/ Bangladeshi Tandoori Chai
It’s made by taking iron tongs to place an earthen cup in a hot tandoor. When the cup is super-hot, it’s taken out and sweet milky chai is poured in, which sizzles & froths over. This chai is poured into another kulhad & served. #InternationalTeaDay
23/ Persian style black tea with dried lime

This type of tea is popular with Iranians. It consists of black tea leaves and dried lime. Dried lime is a lime that has dried in the sun #InternationalTeaDay
24/ Keralan Sulaimani Chai
From the Indian state of Kerala it is popular in the UAE too. Sulaimani chayya, is a mild tea made with loose tea leaves & flavoured with lemon or mint. According to folklore, Sulaimani tea is believed to have Arab origins #InternationalTeaDay
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In the Islamic holy book, the Qur’an a chapter is dedicated to the bee, called An-Nahl. This literally translates to ‘The Bee’ & it describes the bee’s way of life, & how Muslims should be more like them.
For #WorldBeeDay we are celebrating the bee in Islam 🐝
A thread…
1/ Al Nahl, Chapter 16, 68-69, talks about a variety of topics, but Allah specifically chose the title The Bee to catch the attention of the readers. Bees are said to be Allah’s miracles; the way they function and how they behave, are to be held as an example #WorldBeeDay
2/ The significance of Al Nahl as Chapter 16 is important. The only verse in this chapter that mentions bees is made up of 16 words & 16 different Arabic letters. Coincidentally, female bees have 16 pairs of chromosomes, whereas males have 16 chromosomes #WorldBeeDay
In Islamic architecture, water features & fountains occupy a privileged place inside mosques, domestic spaces & gardens. They provide peace & purification
Morocco is renowned for its astounding mosaic water features, which have influenced design
Here are 24 examples
A thread…
1/ Beautiful Water Feature / Fountain, Morocco
2/ Mosaic Water Feature / Fountain, Ablution Fountain in Great Mosque of Paris, inspired by Moroccan design
Lebanese Poet Khalil Gibran (1883-1931) is renowned for ushering in a renaissance of modern Arabic literature. His work inspires people across the world, & is influenced by his Christian faith & the mysticism of Sufism
1/ ‘Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit’
― Khalil Gibran
2/ ‘I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers’
Geometric patterns are one of the most distinguishing features of Islamic art, thought to reflect the language of the universe & the greatness of creation
Today, artists are reinterpreting this traditional artform in new ways
A thread on 24 artists redefining Islamic geometry…
1/ Nima Nabavi is an Iranian-American artist who is now based in the UAE. His art practice is driven by a mathematical approach, and a contemplative execution of intricate geometries. He talks about his creative journey & reimagining geometry:
2/ After completing a bachelor’s in accounting & finance, Indian artist Antara Biswas took the plunge, switched careers and pursued what she loved doing most, creating art inspired by Islamic geometry…
From Senegal to Ghana, to Egypt to Somalia, Africa is known for its fantastic mosques – each an architectural masterpiece in their own right.
Here are 20 of the most unique & ancient mosques in Africa, each a reflection of the local building styles #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ The Mosque of the Companions, Massawa, Eritrea. early 7th century CE
Did you know? This was the first mosque built in the continent of Africa. It is believed to be the first mosque on the African continent.
2/ Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali, built 13th c. current structure 1907
World’s largest mud-brick building & finest example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture; characterised by its adobe plastering & wooden scaffolding. The walls are reconstructed with mud each April in a 1 day event
Islamic miniature paintings are small paintings that are part of a manuscript, used as a frontispiece, or an illustration for a text.
Different types of Islamic miniatures:
-Ottoman (Istanbul)
-Safavid (Shiraz)
-Timurid (Herat)
-Mughal (Delhi)
A thread…
Ottoman…
The Ottoman court became invested in writing its own history.
The court historian (şehnameci), a new position established in the 1550s, set to work producing manuscripts with illustrations.
Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-1595) in his Library @harvartmuseums
Safavid…
The best artists from across the empire were brought together & under the direction of Bihzad, the famed miniaturist from Herat, and formed a new Safavid style of painting.