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İst Dünya

Your world, your culture, your story.

Latest Articles

Swiping Right on a Second Language: Why Americans Are Falling for Turkish and Arabic — One Match at a Time
Trends & Social Media

Swiping Right on a Second Language: Why Americans Are Falling for Turkish and Arabic — One Match at a Time

Dating apps were supposed to help you find a partner. For a growing number of Americans, they're also accidentally turning into language classrooms. We dig into the surprising trend of English speakers picking up Turkish and Arabic to connect with matches — and what it says about shifting American attitudes toward the Middle East and its diaspora.
Hamam Tiles, Hand-Knotted Rugs, and Brass Everywhere: How Turkish Design Became America's Favorite Home Upgrade
Food & Culture

Hamam Tiles, Hand-Knotted Rugs, and Brass Everywhere: How Turkish Design Became America's Favorite Home Upgrade

From Etsy shops selling Iznik-inspired ceramics to Brooklyn apartments drowning in kilim throw pillows, Turkish and Middle Eastern design has quietly taken over the American home. We talked to designers, decor influencers, and cultural tastemakers about what's driving the obsession — and how to do it right.
Rose Water, Argan Oil, and Pomegranate: How Middle Eastern Beauty Brands Are Taking Over American Shelves
Trends & Social Media

Rose Water, Argan Oil, and Pomegranate: How Middle Eastern Beauty Brands Are Taking Over American Shelves

From Istanbul apothecaries to Brooklyn beauty shelves, Turkish and Arab skincare brands are quietly rewriting the rules of the American beauty industry. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and backed by serious formulation science, these brands are winning over Gen Z consumers who are done paying luxury prices for mediocre results. The glow-up is very much regional — and it's going global.
Friday Prayers, Brooklyn Coffee, and Breathwork: How Turkish and Arab Americans Are Building a New Kind of Spiritual Home
Food & Culture

Friday Prayers, Brooklyn Coffee, and Breathwork: How Turkish and Arab Americans Are Building a New Kind of Spiritual Home

Across American cities, Turkish and Middle Eastern immigrants are creating spiritual communities that don't fit neatly into a mosque or a wellness studio — and that's exactly the point. From Quran circles held over Turkish tea in Manhattan to meditation retreats drawing on Sufi philosophy, a new generation of diaspora Muslims is carving out space where faith, identity, and belonging can coexist on their own terms. It's not a compromise. It's an evolution.
The Turkish Breakfast Table Is an Event — And America Is Finally Getting an Invitation
Food & Culture

The Turkish Breakfast Table Is an Event — And America Is Finally Getting an Invitation

Turkish breakfast isn't a meal — it's a ritual, a gathering, a whole morning commitment. From the Black Sea coast to the streets of Gaziantep, regional breakfast traditions carry centuries of culture in every small plate. Now, a generation of Turkish-American entrepreneurs is bringing those traditions to US cities, and the response has been overwhelming.
Sultans, Secrets, and Slow Burns: Why American Readers Can't Put Down Turkish Historical Romance
Trends & Social Media

Sultans, Secrets, and Slow Burns: Why American Readers Can't Put Down Turkish Historical Romance

Turkish and Middle Eastern historical romance is having a serious moment in American bookstores — and it's not slowing down. From Ottoman court dramas to Anatolian love stories, a new wave of authors is rewriting what romance fiction looks like. BookTok and Goodreads are fueling the fire, and readers are absolutely obsessed.
From Gaziantep to the East Village: Meet the Turkish-American Chefs Changing What 'Middle Eastern Food' Means in America
Food & Culture

From Gaziantep to the East Village: Meet the Turkish-American Chefs Changing What 'Middle Eastern Food' Means in America

A new wave of Turkish and Middle Eastern chefs is quietly transforming the American dining scene — not by abandoning their roots, but by honoring them with a boldness that surprises even their own families. These are the cooks turning childhood memories into Michelin-worthy moments, one plate at a time.
Why Is Gen Z America Obsessed With Turkish TikTok Right Now?
Trends & Social Media

Why Is Gen Z America Obsessed With Turkish TikTok Right Now?

Turkish music is blowing up American For You pages, Middle Eastern beauty trends are dominating Get Ready With Me videos, and nobody seems entirely sure how it happened — but the diaspora definitely has some theories. Here's a breakdown of the cultural moment nobody saw coming.