Skip to Main Content
site header image

Primary Sources: Middle East

Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

Middle East

-Bin Ladin's Bookshelf

Documents recovered during the raid on the compound used to hide Osama bin Ladin. The release contains two sections: a list of non-classified, English-language material found in and around the compound; and a selection of now-declassified documents.

-Internet Islamic History Sourcebook

Texts that document Islamic history. Topics include Islamic expansion and empire; the Ottomans; expansion to India, China and the East Indies; the western intrusion; and others.

-Islamic Medical Manuscripts 

Here you can learn about Islamic medicine and science during the Middle Ages and the important role it played in the history of Europe.

-Israel's Foreign Policy

Published by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these are documents relating to Israel's foreign relations from 1947-2004.

-The Middle East Department of the University of Chicago Library

This collection offers users access to a number of images taken in the nineteenth century. These photographs provide vital information related to Middle Eastern architecture, art, clothing, religion, and daily life.  

-Saddam Hussein Source Book

Brings together five briefing books previously published by the National Security Archive into one searchable file of primary sources.

-World Digital Library: Middle East and North Africa

A collection of print and visual resources related to the Middle East and North Africa.