Links:

Moujan Adl, author: https://www.pompub.com/aboutus

Mona Danesh, illustrator: https://mdanesh.myportfolio.com/, @nazarjoon

Farzad Hemati, translator to Persian: https://www.pompub.com/translator

Yalda is traditionally celebrated with readings from the poet Hafez. For more information:

https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hafez/

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170109-the-mystical-poet-who-can-help-you-lead-a-better-life

For information on the University of Arizona Center for Middle Eastern Studies, go to: https://cmes.arizona.edu/.

For information on the Middle East Outreach Council, go to: http://www.meoc.us/

MEOC Book Award information, including a list of all winners is at: http://www.meoc.us/book-awards.html

Abby Limmer can be reached at alimmer@arizona.edu .

Learn More:

Here is George Jreije's Website and you can follow him on Instagram as @bygeorgejreije.

His books are:

Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria

Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies

Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile

And you can now pre-order Bashir Boutros and the Forgotten Realm! Available on May 19, 2026.

Other authors mentioned include:

Nadia Shammas and Sarah Alfagee, authors of a Young Adult book, Squire: A Graphic Novel

Rhonda Roumani, author of Middle Grade novel Tagging Freedom and a picture book, Umm Kulthum: The Star of the East, which won the Middle East Nonfiction Book Award from the Middle East Outreach Council in 2025.

Credits:

Theme Music: Paul Amiel

Technical Assistance: Dr. Eric Taylor, Ali Hattab

General encouragement and assistance: Professor Mahmoud Azaz, Professor Emerita Anne Betteridge, Dr. Julie Ellison, Thomas Kenney, Jenessa Ricklefs.

Logo/ Thumbnail: University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Marketing and Communications Team

Facebook Page: facebook.com/groups/cmesuarizona/

Instagram: @cmes_ua