The 61st anniversary of the African Union’s founding serves as a poignant reminder of the deep historical and geographical connections between Africa and the Arab world. These ties, enriched by shared civilizational and cultural elements, are continually evolving. Over the centuries, the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent have engaged in extensive cultural and commercial interactions, creating a shared identity evident in many aspects of life today. Tens of Arab states are situated within Africa, housing approximately 283 million people out of the continent’s 1.25 billion inhabitants, further strengthening the bonds between the two sides.

Some intellectuals propose that Arabs and Africans once inhabited a single continent before the geological separation caused by the formation of the Red Sea, a division completed in the 19th century with the construction of the Suez Canal. This theory, while fascinating, is complemented by a host of tangible historical and cultural connections that continue to shape the relationship between Africa and the Arab world.

The concept of “Afrabia” seeks to frame these ongoing historical and geographical connections, emphasizing several key factors. Africa is the first continent where Muslims form the overwhelming majority, underscoring a profound religious and cultural link. The long history of migration and movement between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula has fostered deep-rooted linguistic and cultural ties. Furthermore, the geological formation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, dating back to about three to five million years B.C., suggests that the Arabian Peninsula and Africa were once a single geographical entity before the geological rift.

Given these themes, some Arab intellectuals conclude that Africa and the Arabian Peninsula may merge under a new world order to form a unified hub of cooperation and integration. This vision is supported by historical,........

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