Journalists without Borders officially launched its 2026 lecture series with a presentation entitled “The Middle East: Cradle of Civilizations and Center of Historical Transformations,” delivered by media professional Mohammed Jawad Alkhafaji. The event was attended by a number of participants with an interest in history and culture.
At the beginning of his lecture, Alkhafaji emphasized that the significance of the Middle East did not emerge in modern times but dates back to the very beginnings of human civilization. It was in this region that the first major cities were established, the earliest written legal codes were developed, and the monotheistic religions emerged, profoundly influencing the course of human history.
He stressed that studying the history of the Middle East is not merely an exploration of the past; it is also an essential tool for understanding the present and anticipating the future. He further highlighted the region’s strategic geographical location, which for thousands of years made it a crossroads of international trade routes, in addition to its abundance of natural resources that contributed to its enduring global importance.
The lecture also traced the development of human civilization from the emergence of settled agricultural communities and organized urban societies to the rise of the great civilizations of the Middle East, including Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Phoenician civilization, and the Persian civilization.
Alkhafaji presented the major achievements of these civilizations, including the invention of writing, the establishment of legal systems, advances in architecture and astronomy, and the development of trade and systems of governance. He emphasized that each civilization developed unique characteristics shaped by its geographical environment and natural resources, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to benefit humanity today.
The lecture forms part of the 2026 cultural and educational program organized by Journalists without Borders, which aims to promote historical, political, and cultural awareness, strengthen public knowledge, and encourage intercultural dialogue.
