Lalla Ghriba – The Saintly Legend of Tlemcen

By Kamal Ghazal

In the heart of Tlemcen, one of Algeria’s most storied cities where mosque minarets rise above labyrinthine alleys and history echoes with the chants of Sufis and saints , lingers a mysterious figure woven into the fabric of local memory. 

She is known as Lalla Ghriba, a woman once revered for her piety, who over time became the center of haunting tales, straddling the boundary between faith and the supernatural.

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The “Loving Jinn” Excuse: Faith Used for Sexual Abuse

By Kamal Ghazal

In many parts of the Arab world, religious beliefs and folk traditions often merge, forming a complex social fabric where spiritual healing-particularly “Ruqya Shar’iyya” (Islamic exorcism) holds a significant place, especially for women. Promoted as a remedy for psychological distress, physical ailments, or possession by evil spirits, ruqya is seen by many as a divine path to recovery.

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Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery at Najaf: Echoes of the Unseen

ByKamal Ghazal

In the holy city of Najaf, in southern Iraq, where the soil is steeped in centuries of devotion, stretches a place unlike any other: Wadi Al-Salam "Valley of Peace", the largest cemetery on Earth.

According to UNESCO reports, this vast burial ground has been continuously used for over 1,400 years, housing an estimated 6 million graves across a staggering 6 square kilometers (over 600 hectares).

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The Chain-Wrapped Djinn Haunting Gulf Folklore

By Kamal Ghazal

In the shadowy corners of Gulf Arab folklore, a terrifying figure has haunted the dreams of children and the superstitions of elders alike.

Known as Abu al-Salasil, literally "The Father of Chains", this supernatural being is said to wander shorelines and alleyways, dragging iron chains behind him and unleashing terror upon those who cross his path. 

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Wata Safarta : Forgotten Village of Whispering Spirits

By Salim Nasser

In the northern hills of Lebanon, tucked between the tranquil slopes near the monastery of Deir Gherbta, lies a place that seems to have slipped through the cracks of time ,a village so obscure that maps hesitate to name it, and locals speak of it only in hushed tones.

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The Dream Visitor: A Sudanese Tale of the Living Dead

Told By : Montasir - Sudan

They say cities are like people, some embrace you the moment your eyes meet them, while others seem to spit you out as soon as your feet touch their ground. And then there are cities that greet you with neutrality, offering no warmth nor aversion. That was exactly how I felt when I visited Kassala, a city in eastern Sudan, for the first time.

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