Based in Houston, Texas, investment executive Jamal Daniel is the founder of the Middle East scholarship-focused organization Levant Foundation. Also guiding the Al-Monitor, Jamal Daniel provides objective journalism covering politics and culture across the Middle East. An October 2021 piece in the Al-Monitor brought focus to a unique children’s book project that involves a trio of Nubian-Sudanese authors. The books are among the first ever in the Nobiin language, which is spoken across northern Sudan and southern Egypt and uses an alphabet passed down from centuries-old manuscripts. While the Nubian language is considered one of Africa’s most ancient traditions, the Nubian alphabet has virtually disappeared. This occurred after the Kingdom of Makuria’s dissolution and Ottoman occupation of the Lower Nubia, when Arabic and Latin became prevalent. These illustrated books present stories and help develop literacy and counting skills. They were created with support from crowdfunders and printed by London’s Taras Press.

1. Jamal Daniel

2. Based in Houston, Texas, investment executive Jamal Daniel is the
founder of the Middle East scholarship-focused organization
Levant Foundation. Also guiding the Al-Monitor, Jamal Daniel
provides objective journalism covering politics and culture across
the Middle East.

3. An October 2021 piece in the Al-Monitor brought focus to a
unique children’s book project that involves a trio of Nubian-
Sudanese authors. The books are among the first ever in the
Nobiin language, which is spoken across northern Sudan and
southern Egypt and uses an alphabet passed down from
centuries-old manuscripts.

4. While the Nubian language is considered one of Africa’s most
ancient traditions, the Nubian alphabet has virtually disappeared.
This occurred after the Kingdom of Makuria’s dissolution and
Ottoman occupation of the Lower Nubia, when Arabic and Latin
became prevalent.

5. These illustrated books present stories and help develop literacy
and counting skills. They were created with support from
crowdfunders and printed by London’s Taras Press.