30 Famous Arabs: From Historic Icons to Modern Influencers


 

The history of the Arab world that stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the Gulf of Aden has greatly impacted civilizations for thousands of years. Many famous people have emerged from the early Islamic period to the present hence making important contributions to politics, science, art, and culture.

This article is going to explore the achievements and lives of 30 famous extraordinary Arab people providing a glimpse into the richness and complexity of the Arab experience.

1. Ibn Khaldun

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Ibn was an Arab sociologist, philosopher, and historian. He is globally regarded as one of the greatest social scientists of the Middle Ages, and a father of economics, sociology, demography, and historiography. One of his famous books is called Muqaddimah which he wrote in only six months. He has greatly influenced people of different centuries. His impact is evident not just in historical figures but also in the rise of modern influencers.

Some of the key ways Ibn Khaldun鈥檚 thought has influenced historic and modern influencers. He really emphasized the importance of social cohesion for the rise and fall of empires. He recognized the dynamic nature of society and the need to adapt to changing circumstances. He was a key believer that leaders have a responsibility to act justly and serve the public good. Some of the people he has greatly influenced include Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther, and Greta Thunberg.

2. Saladin

Saladin also known as Sultan Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub was a Muslim Military leader and statesman in the 12th century who founded the Ayyubid dynasty. He is recognized as one of the most important figures in Islamic history. He has great charisma and people admire him. He had respect for his adversaries and a commitment to justice.

Some of the modern people he has influenced include Omar Suleiman and Yusuf Islam. They have spoken on the importance of learning from the past and using it to build a better future. His story reminds us that even in the face of challenges, it is possible to find common ground and build bridges between different cultures.

3. Averroes

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Averroes was a polymath, jurist, and Andalusian. He wrote about many subjects such as philosophy, theology, medicine, physics, linguistics, and jurisprudence among many others. He is the author of over 100 books and treaties. As a philosopher, his works include numerous commentaries on Aristotle. He made many attempts to restore what he considered the original teachings of Aristotle.

He has influenced many historic icons and modern influencers such as Muhammad Iqbal who viewed Averroes as a champion of reason and intellectual freedom. Other people include Fazlur Rahman and Seyyed Hossein Nasr.  Someone like Thomas Aquinas a famous Catholic theologian was so much influenced by Averroe’s writings on Aristotle.

4. Ibn Battuta

Ibn was a Maghrebi traveler, scholar, and an explorer. He traveled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history. Before he died, he dictated an account of his journeys and gave it the name 鈥淎 gift to those who contemplate the wonders of cities and the marvels of travelling鈥 It is commonly known as The Rihla.

Some of the historical icons he has greatly influenced include Christopher Columbus, Zheng He, and Afonso de Albuquerque while the modern influencers he has impacted include Tahir Shah, Levison Wood, and Rick Steves. On their works, they frequently mention Ibn Battuta in their works and encourage viewers to embrace cultural differences and engage with local communities while traveling.

5. Queen Sheba

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Queen Sheba is a powerful and wise ruler. She is a figure first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. She was a powerful ruler renowned for her wisdom, wealth, and her captivating beauty. Her story resonates with historic icons and modern influencers thus inspiring figures across diverse fields. He has impacted many historical icons such as Menelik I who was his son.

 Some of the modern people he has influenced include Beyonc茅 a famous singer who embodied the spirit of Queen Sheba in her 鈥淏lack Parade鈥 visual album. Beyonc茅 says that she drew inspiration from the queen鈥檚 power and leadership showcasing the richness and beauty of black culture across the globe.

6. Umm Kulthum

Umm Kulthum was an Egyptian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was one of the most influential and celebrated Arab artists of the 20th century. She had a great influence on the Arabic music and culture. Her amazing voice, lyric composition, and style left a great mark on the Arab world.  Her impact extended beyond Egypt and the Arab world. Till today modern influencers look upon her works and are highly inspired to do much better relying on the lessons Umm Kulthum learnt along the way.

7. Khalil Gibran

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Khalil was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and visual artist. He was regarded s one of the great philosophers but he rejected the title. As a writer, his best and famous book is known as The Prophet which was published in the United States in 1923.  His books were the most sold all over the world and had been translated into more than 100 languages.

His writings explore themes of love, freedom, and spirituality which till today are a great reference and influence to the historic icons and modern influencers. His works advocated for a universal understanding of humanity and continue to emphasize the importance of having a good connection among all people.

8. Tariq ibn Ziyad

Tariq was an Umayyad commander who initiated the Muslim congest of Visigothic Hispania. He is well remembered for having led an army and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar altar from the North African coast consolidating his troops in what is now known as the Rock of Gibraltar.

Some of the ways he is still remembered and how he influenced historic icons and modern influencers include leadership. He is best known for leading Muslim forces in the battle of Guadalete in 711AD which resulted in the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. He had a profound impact on the culture, scientific, and artistic development of the region.

9. Fairuz

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Fairuz is a Lebanese singer. She is known by many as one of the leading vocalists and the most famous singers in the history of the Arab world.  She began her musical career while still a teenager at the national radio station in Lebanon. She gained fame throughout the Arab world in the 1950s and 1960s.

Fairuz鈥檚 influence continues to inspire contemporary musicians and artists.  Her songs have been used as covers by modern singers and also being samples and used by electronic music producers.

10. Scheherazade

Scheherazade is a major female character and the storyteller in the frame narrative of the Middle Eastern collection of tales known as the One Thousand and One Nights.  The stories she gave served as a portal to different worlds and offered a glimpse into diverse cultures, social realities, and philosophies.

Scheherazade embodied the spirit of resilience and resistance against oppression. Till today there are historic icons and modern influencers who still look upon the skills and how she taught things. Her character inspired generations of women to stand up for themselves and use their voices to fight for their rights.

11. Omar Khayyam

Omar was a Persian polymath, mathematician, and poet known for his quatrains on love, life, and philosophy. He is a philosopher whose contributions to science impacted his time and beyond. Omar continues to inspire artists and thinkers across diverse fields. He has influenced historic icons and modern influencers through his characters

He helped break the bridge between the east and the west. He played an important role in introducing Western audiences to Eastern literature and thought. Through that, cross-cultural influences foster understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. His legacy continues to remind us of the importance of questioning, exploring, and seeking a deeper understanding of the world around us.

12. Taha Hussein

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Taha was an influential Egyptian writer and intellectual who played a key role in modern Arabic Literature. He was a great advocate for education and social justice and he left an indelible mark on the Arab world. As a writer, he explored the themes of love, loss, identity, and social injustice. He was a big champion of education and reform.

 Being a wise man, he understood the importance of education and fought tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for all.  He was also a great voice for social justice. Until today look back on his works and learn so much from him. He is a great source of inspiration to both historic icons and modern influencers.

13. Naguib Mahfouz

Naguin was an Egyptian writer and Nobel Laureate who was recognized for his profound contributions to modern Arabic literature.  His legacy continues to inspire other artists and writers. His works have been translated into many languages making him internationally recognized and solidifying his position as a global icon. He created a bridge between cultures where people were able to embrace the diversity of culture. He is a great influencer to both historic icons and modern influencers.

14. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Sheikh is the founding father and first president of the United Arab Emirates. His amazing leadership transformed the region from a scattered collection of emirates into a modern and prosperous nation. His legacy went beyond the borders of the UAE as he served as a model of leadership and a source of inspiration for the coming generations.

He has served as an ambassador of unity and cooperation, and a guiding light for progress. Both historic icons and modern influencers have learnt so much from him and his lessons are still helping to shape the universe.

15. Ahmed Zewail

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Ahmed was an Egyptian-American scientist. He was known for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of femtochemistry and ultrafast laser spectroscopy.  He was an important figure in the scientific community. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to science. Other than laboratory, he actively advocated for education and scientific advancement most especially in his native Egypt and Arab world.

16. Nawal El Saadawi

Nawal was an Egyptian feminist writer, activist, and physician. She wrote numerous books on the subject of women in Islam focusing on the practice of female genital mutilation in her society. She was regarded as 鈥渢he Simone de Beauvoir of the Arab World鈥 and as 鈥淓gypt鈥檚 most radical woman鈥.

She was the founder and president of the Arab Women鈥檚 Solidarity Association and the co-founder of the Arab Association for Human Rights. She was awarded honorary degrees on three continents.

She was a great woman with so many characters to emulate from her. She pioneered discussions on gender equality and women鈥檚 rights. How she never gave up on the journey no matter the challenges she faced is something to inspire anyone. She was able to help people understand diverse cultures and how to embrace them to have a peaceful environment.

17. Rami Malek

Rami Malek is an Oscar-winning actor of Egyptian descent. He has broken down barriers to Arab representation in Hollywood. He is a great inspiration for aspiring actors and audiences worldwide as he was able to conquer challenges along the journey from Egyptian-American immigrant to Hollywood star.

His fame has made him a cultural icon thus helping bridge the gap between East and West hence promoting understanding through his art.

18. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Mohammed is an Emirati politician and royal who currently serves as a ruler of Dubai and as the vice president, prime minister, and minister of defense of the United Arab Emirates. He succeeded his brother Sheikh as vice president and ruler following his death in 2006. He is regarded as one of the world鈥檚 most prominent real estate developers. He has overseen the development of several projects in Dubai such as Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world.

He is a prominent advocate for humanitarian causes by supporting many initiatives that address global challenges such as poverty, education, and gender equality. He remains strongly rooted in culture. He is a great inspiration to modern influencers and they learn so much from him.

19. Nawal Al Zoghbi

Nawal is a Lebanese pop singer who is highly celebrated for her contributions to the Arabic music scene. Her amazing voice and her unique personality have attracted across the Arab world and beyond, making her name famous.

She is considered a fashion icon who is known for her bold and glamorous style. Her awesome stage outfits have made her a fashion inspiration for women across the Arab world. She is a great advocate for women鈥檚 rights and social justice issues. She uses her social media platforms to raise awareness about important social issues and also inspire change.

20. Haifa Wehbe

Haifa is a Lebanese actress and singer. She is recognized for her impact on Arab pop culture. She gained fame in 1995 when she was crowned as Miss Lebanon. She is a great businesswoman who has successfully expanded her brand beyond entertainment.

 She owns a production company and a clothing line. As a singer, her songs dwell on themes of female strength, independence, and self-love inspiring women to embrace their individuality and fight for their rights. She is a cultural icon known for her contribution to Arab Music.

21. Mona Hatoum

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Mona was born in 1952 in Beirut, Lebanon. She is a British-Palestinian multimedia and installation artist who lives in London. Her work has gained international acclaim making her one of the leading contemporary artists. She is celebrated for her innovative and provoking works of art that include performance art, and sculpture. Her contributions to the art have been recognized with many awards and honors.

22. Ghada Amer

Ghada is a contemporary artist born in Cairo, Egypt. Majority of her work deals with issues of gender and sexuality. Her work addresses issues of femininity, sexuality, postcolonial identities, and Islamic culture. While still a student, she was told that her art school鈥檚 painting classes were reserved for male students.

At that point, she became committed to finding her feminine artistic language with which to speak about women. She is a strong advocate of gender equality and a voice for women.

23. Etel Adnan

Etel was a Lebanese-American poet, visual artist, and essayist. In 2003, the academic journal MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States named her 鈥淎rguably the most celebrated and accomplished Arab American author writing today鈥. She made visual works in a variety of media such as oil paintings, films, and tapestries which have been exhibited at galleries across the world.

Her work carries a feminist perspective addressing issues related to gender and challenging societal norms. Also, her works reflect on different cultures thus helping people to understand and appreciate each other鈥檚 culture.

24. Nizar Qabbani

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nizar is a Syrian diplomat and a poet celebrated for his romantic and political verse. His works which are written in classical Arabic have resonated with readers across the Arab world and beyond. He was a great advocate for women鈥檚 rights. He used his poems to challenge traditional gender norms.

His poems have also touched on political themes reflecting on the social and political challenges of the Arab World. He is a great inspiration to people and also to the upcoming poets.

25. Rania Al Abdullah

Queen consort of Jordan and a global advocate for education and youth empowerment. Although she is not an Arab by birth, her marriage to King Abdullah II of Jordan has made her a prominent and influential figure in the Arab world. As an advocate of education, she has actively promoted the integration of technology into education.

The reason for advocating for technology is to equip Arabs with skills that are necessary to thrive in the digital age. She has also been involved in several humanitarian initiatives such as poverty, health, and refugee crises. She is a great example of a modern influencer as she inspires a lot of people.

26. Amr Diab

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Amr is an Egyptian pop singer and composer well known as the 鈥淔ather of Mediterranean Music鈥. He is one of the most successful and influential Arab musicians of his generation. His music has gone across the Arab world. He is considered a pioneer in the development of Arabic pop music.

He has a great contribution to the film industry as his songs have been used to provide soundtracks for several movies. His songs have been embraced by Arab youth, while his style has influenced the new generation of artists.

27. Huda Kattan

Huda is an Iraqi-American beauty entrepreneur and social media influencer. She is the founder of Huda Beauty which is a global cosmetics brand. Huda has received great success in the beauty and fashion industry.

She is a great entrepreneur. Her business acumen and ability to interact with her audience have played a great role in the success of Huda Beauty. Her business success contributes to positive representation and challenges stereotypes about Arab women in business and entrepreneurship. As a woman, she has made a significant mark on the modern world.

28. Rima Fakih

Rima is a Lebanese-American beauty queen, model, and actress. She became famous when she was crowned Miss USA in 2010 becoming the first Lebanese-American, Arab American, and Muslim to be crowned Miss USA. Her success represents a positive shift in the representation of Arab and Muslim women in the media. She has used her social media platform to raise awareness about several social issues such as women鈥檚 rights and cultural understanding

29. Mohamed Salah

, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons

Mohamed is an Egyptian professional footballer born on 15th June 1992. Being one of the world鈥檚 top football players, Salah is believably a prominent figure in contemporary Arab culture. Salah鈥檚 success extends beyond his contributions to the Egyptian national team.

He has played for big teams such as Liverpool and AS Roma. His influence has extended into the world of endorsements with many global brands seeking him to represent and market their products. He is a great source of inspiration especially to young people.

30. Elissa

Elissa is a Lebanese singer born on 27th October 1972.  She is one of Lebanon鈥檚 famous singers and one of the best-known artists in the Arab world. She has been among the highest-selling female Middle Eastern artists since 2005. As we stand today she has sold over 30 million albums all over the world.

She is one of the richest celebrities in Lebanon with an estimated wealth of over 40 million dollars. Her genre of music is Arabic pop, romance, and world.  She is a great inspiration to the upcoming artist.

The people featured in this article represent a glimpse into the vast tapestry of Arab talent and achievement. Every person above has had a unique path and has left an incredible mark on the world. Their stories inspire us to embrace our potential, push boundaries, and always strive for success in all that we are called to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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