#21

Which Umayyad Caliph constructed the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?

(a) Muawiya I

(b) Abdul Malik bin Marwan

(c) Walid I

(d) Hisham

Explanation: Abdul Malik bin Marwan commissioned the construction of the Dome of the Rock, completed around 691 CE.

#22

The Abbasid Revolution which overthrew the Umayyads was led by:

(a) Abu Muslim Khorasani

(b) Tariq bin Ziyad

(c) Salahuddin Ayyubi

(d) Hulagu Khan

Explanation: Abu Muslim Khorasani was the key general and propagandist who rallied support in Khorasan to overthrow the Umayyads in 750 CE.

#23

Which Spanish city was known as the 'Ornament of the World' under the Umayyads?

(a) Seville

(b) Toledo

(c) Granada

(d) Cordoba

Explanation: Under the Umayyad Caliphate, Cordoba became one of the most advanced and populous cities in the world, known for its Great Mosque and libraries.

#24

The 'Umayyad Mosque' in Cordoba was later converted into a:

(a) Museum

(b) Synagogue

(c) Cathedral

(d) Library

Explanation: After the Reconquista, the Great Mosque of Cordoba was converted into a Catholic Cathedral (Mezquita-Catedral).

#25

The Mayan calendar system, which includes the complex Long Count, is characterized by its reliance on which mathematical concept?

(a) Decimal system (base 10)

(b) Quaternary system (base 4)

(c) Vigesimal system (base 20)

(d) Hexadecimal system (base 16)

Explanation: The **Mayan** civilization utilized a sophisticated number system based on the number **20** (vigesimal). This system was crucial for their extremely accurate and complex calendars, including the **Long Count**, which tracked time from a mythological starting date.

#26

Which of these structures from the Maya civilization served primarily as a massive, stepped platform for religious rituals and astronomical observation?

(a) Aqueduct

(b) Pyramid-temple

(c) Colosseum

(d) Ziggurat

Explanation: The Maya, as well as the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures, built massive **pyramid-temples** (like El Castillo at Chichen Itza) that were used for religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and were often aligned with astronomical events. A Ziggurat is a stepped tower structure from Mesopotamia, while the Colosseum is Roman, and an aqueduct is an elevated waterway.

#27

In the early medieval Frankish kingdoms, the Mayor of the Palace held significant power. Which Mayor of the Palace defeated the Muslim forces at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, halting their advance into Western Europe?

(a) Pepin the Short

(b) Charles Martel

(c) Charlemagne

(d) Clovis I

Explanation: Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne, was the de facto ruler of the Frankish kingdoms as the Mayor of the Palace. His victory at the Battle of Tours (or Poitiers) in 732 AD over an invading Umayyad army is considered a crucial moment in European history, stopping the Muslim expansion from the Iberian Peninsula.

#28

Who was the founder of the Umayyad Dynasty?

(a) Yazid I

(b) Marwan I

(c) Ameer Muawiyah (RA)

(d) Walid I

Explanation: Ameer Muawiyah (RA) founded the Umayyad Caliphate (بنو امیہ) in 661 AD, moving the capital from Kufa to Damascus.

#29

Which Ummayad Caliph is known as the 'Falcon of Andalus' (Saqr Quraish)?

(a) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik

(b) Abd al-Rahman I

(c) Al-Hakam I

(d) Abd al-Rahman III

Explanation: Abd al-Rahman I escaped the Abbasid massacre and founded the Umayyad Emirate in Spain, earning the title Saqr Quraish (عقاب قریش).

#30

The 'Abbasid Revolution' which overthrew the Umayyads occurred in:

(a) 700 AD

(b) 750 AD

(c) 800 AD

(d) 850 AD

Explanation: The Abbasid Revolution culminated in the Battle of the Zab in 750 AD, leading to the fall of the Umayyads.

#31

Who is the President of the Eurogroup who welcomed US-China tariff adjustments in May 2025?

Explanation: Paschal Donohoe, serving as President of the Eurogroup, welcomed the temporary rollback of tariffs as a positive step for trade stability.

#32

In May 2025, which country's officials reported that human traffickers were cutting deals with local employers?

Explanation: Cyprus's deputy migration minister, Nicholas Ioannides, reported that traffickers were collaborating with local employers to exploit Syrian migrants.

#33

Which EU leader publicly criticized Hungary's use of the veto power in May 2025?

Explanation: Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin criticized the Hungarian government for 'abusing' the veto power to block EU decision-making.

#34

Which IMO Convention establishes the maximum permissible draft (depth to which a ship may be loaded) for ships?

(a) STCW Convention

(b) SOLAS Convention

(c) LOAD LINES Convention

(d) Facilitation Convention

Explanation: The International Convention on Load Lines (1966) sets the limits to which a ship may be loaded, ensuring reserve buoyancy and stability.

#35

According to the UN Charter, only which entities may be parties in cases before the ICJ?

(a) Individuals, States, and International Organizations.

(b) Only States.

(c) Only UN specialized agencies.

(d) Only individuals whose human rights have been violated.

Explanation: Unlike some other international tribunals, the ICJ's contentious jurisdiction (disputes) is open only to States.

#36

When a State party to a contentious case does not have a Judge of its nationality on the bench, it may choose a person to sit as a Judge ad hoc. This function is primarily to:

(a) Act as an advocate for the State's legal position.

(b) Ensure that the Court fully considers the State's perspective and legal culture.

(c) Veto the final judgment if it is unfavorable.

(d) Manage the State's legal expenses.

Explanation: Judges *ad hoc* participate fully in the deliberation of the case but do not change the fact that the Court is composed of 15 permanent judges.

#37

The ICJ may indicate provisional measures (similar to injunctions) in a case. These measures are:

(a) Always non-binding on the parties.

(b) Taken to preserve the rights of either party pending a final decision, and are generally considered binding.

(c) Only for cases related to border disputes.

(d) Issued only after a final judgment is given.

Explanation: Provisional measures are urgent, temporary actions required to prevent irreparable harm while the Court deliberates the merits of the case.

#38

In addition to contentious cases, ITLOS may give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by:

(a) Any UN Member State.

(b) The UN General Assembly or the UN Security Council.

(c) The Assembly or the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

(d) Both B and C.

Explanation: Unlike the ICJ, ITLOS's advisory function is limited to requests from the ISA on deep seabed matters.

#39

Which G7 member has the presidency in 2026?

(a) France

(b) Germany

(c) United States

(d) Japan

Explanation: The G7 presidency rotates annually, and the United States is scheduled to hold it in 2026, following Canada’s 2025 presidency.

#40

Which of the following is not a Commonwealth member but may attend CHOGM as an observer?

(a) Rwanda

(b) Mozambique

(c) Ireland

(d) Bangladesh

Explanation: Ireland is not part of the Commonwealth.

May 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions