From the Maghreb to the Hejaz, the Middle East has undergone more change in the last century than ever before: It has witnessed foreign rule and altered borders; independence and state formation; war and hunger; peace, prosperity and development. Today, the Middle East faces some of the biggest challenges yet, as citizens confront leaders, demanding an end to corruption and a greater voice in government. Throughout it all, the people of the region have shown remarkable tenacity and resilience and have fought to protect and preserve their history, faiths and cultural traditions--as this photo essay illustrates.
The Middle East Before and After
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Jamaa el-Jedid (The New Mosque), Algiers, Algeria, built 1097 under Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf (L) ca. 1860-1900, Library of Congress (R) Photo dated 18 June 2008. Creative Commons/Ludovic Courtès.
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Legacy of Ottoman Empire: Darghut Mosque, Tripoli, Libya, built in the 16th Century (L) ca. 1860-1900. Library of Congress (R) 18 July 2012. Creative Commons/Abdul-Jawad Elhusuni.
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Legacy of European colonialism: Bab El Bhar, formerly called the French Gate, Tunis, Tunisia, built by French in 1848 (L) Color photochrome print,1899. Creative Commons. (R) Creative Commons/Dacoslett.
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Panorama: Amman, Jordan (L) Photo taken from South Hill, Sept. 11, 1940. Matson Photo Service. Library of Congress (R) A view of Amman, Jordan from Jabal al-Qal'a citadel, 27 December. 2005. CC/David Bjorgen.