The people of West Asia, or the Middle East, call the eastern side of the region in Arabic mashriq , “where the sun rises” and they have kept close ties to the maghrib , “where the sun sets”, that is, North Africa. Consisting mainly of dry lands, historically these regions were inhabited by nomadic peoples. At the same time, urban cultures flourished in large cities such as Baghdad and Cairo. Islam is the majority religion in West Asia, but this region is also the cradle of Judaism and Christianity. This gallery highlights religious practices, nomadic life, women's dress, and music and dance to show how global change has reached the lives of people in West Asia.