""What happened to us?" The question haunts us in the Arab and Muslim world. We repeat it like a mantra. You will hear…"

"Thence, southward bending to the Orient, laves The Erythrean, with its ocean waves, Of all earth’s shores the fairest…"

"Who are these from the strange, ineffable places, From the Topaze Mountain and Desert of Doubt, With the glow of the …"

"Her stature like the tall straight cedar-trees, Whose stately bulks do fame th’ Arabian groves,"

"Drops tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinable gum."

"The phœnix fair which rich Arabia breeds,"

"Th’ Arabian dew besmears My uncontrollèd brow"

"[S]o sweet, so rich an air, As breathes from the Arabian grove."

"For him the Rich Arabia sweats her Gum;"

"This Casket India’s glowing Gems unlocks, And all Arabia breathes from yonder Box."