Inside Arabia is an online news analysis magazine providing in-depth news and analysis of the Middle East and North Africa.

Our Story

In an era of “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and misinformation, the founder of Inside Arabia recognized that there was a profound lack of accurate coverage of the Middle East and North Africa, in English, for US audiences, contributing to a significant misunderstanding of the region, its people, and its issues.  Jordanian-American Founder and CEO Saeb Sakkijha decided to launch a new publication to help Americans understand the events happening in the MENA region. And so, in 2018, Inside Arabia was born.

Inside Arabia is poised to become the leading source of analysis about the MENA region and a reference resource for researchers as well as non-experts who want to understand the past, present, and future of the region. By getting inside the Arab mind, we provide in-depth analysis of this important and dynamically changing region.

Our Vision

Our vision is to build bridges of understanding between Arabs and Americans to promote peace and tolerance.

Our Mission

Our mission is to educate and inform the American public by dispelling myths, counteracting stereotypes, denouncing human rights abuses, and championing the basic human values of love, peace, compassion and kindness.

Our Team

Since we launched our website on July 13, 2018, our team has been growing. It includes Americans, Arab-Americans, Arabs, and other experts with deep experience and/or roots in the MENA region. We are knowledgeable about its history, language, culture, and customs.  We give a voice to its people by going to the source.  A growing contributor pool of talented academics, analysts, and members of think tanks and other organizations adds depth and breadth to our publication through their experience and expertise.

Saeb Sakkijha
President, Board of Directors & CEO
Saeb Sakkijha is the President and CEO of Inside Arabia. Born in Jordan and having grown up in the United States, he is a Jordanian-American businessman with strong roots in the Middle East. He founded Inside Arabia in March 2018 to provide accurate information, news, and analysis about the MENA region in order to build bridges of understanding between Americans and the people of the region.
Wafa Faith Hallam
Editor in Chief
Born and raised in Morocco, Wafa F. Hallam is a naturalized US citizen. Wafa lived in Europe and traveled to over 35 countries before she moved to the US in 1980 to attend college. An Honor Graduate of the University of Florida (Phi Beta Kappa), she was awarded a Fellowship to attend New York University where she earned a Master's Degree in Middle Eastern Studies and International Affairs. She completed the PhD course work and comprehensive exams in Middle Eastern Studies and was awarded a Dissertation Fellowship for her research on Political Violence and Terrorism in the MENA Region by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. She remained committed to Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East even as she built a successful career on Wall Street for over a decade. In 2017 and 2018, Wafa traveled alone to 15 additional countries in South America, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Wafa is a writer, editor, speaker and author of The Road from Morocco, a memoir.
Sara Quindlen
Creative Director
Sara is an award-winning creative video editor and graphic designer native to the Washington D.C. area. She has a BFA from the Art Institute of Washington and has worked for a variety of clients including Hilton, Disney, Universal, ESPN, EA Sports, Great Wolf Lodge, FEMA, and more. Passionate about our mission and dedicated to our vision, Sara found a new home with the Inside Arabia family and has quickly become an integral part of the team.
Shahida Muhammad
Editor
Shahida Muhammad graduated from Syracuse University at 19 with a B.A. in English & Media Studies. She began her career as an editor for the Philadelphia Weekly and Northeast Times newspapers in her hometown. From there she went into digital media as a writer covering social justice and women's issues. Her affinity for foreign language and cultural immersion led her to move to Colombia in 2016, where she explored education in the South American nation. Growing up in an African-American Muslim family, she enjoyed fellowship with communities from the Middle East, which sparked an interest in the region. Committed to our mission, after three years abroad, she decided to make Washington D.C. her new home and is honored to be part of the Inside Arabia team.