What happens when Middle Eastern icons meet with their Western counterparts? Total awesomeness.

We've put together 40 years of goodness through some of the rarest photos taken between 1940 and 1980, combining the best of both worlds.

These photos will surely put a smile on your face!

1. Sabah and Muhammad Ali

sabah, muhammad ali clay, rare photo, lebanon, 1974
Sabah and Muhammad Ali Source: Facebook/AntiqueArabia

It was a moment to photograph for sure... 

American boxer Muhammed Ali visited Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut, Lebanon in 1974, in a show of solidarity. 

During his visit, Ali met with Lebanese singing sensation Sabah, and her husband Wassim Tabbara... leaving behind a photo to remember.

2. Che Guevara and Gamal Abd El Nasser

gamal abdel nassre, che guevara, cuba, egypt, rare
Source: Pinterest

A photo that screams socialism! Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara met with the Egyptian leader during the former's visit to Egypt in 1965. 

In case you are wondering, yes, that's Anwar El Sadat in the background. 

3. Josephine Baker and Naguib El Rihani

naguib rihani, egypt, usa, rare, josephine baker,
Source: Tumblr

Egyptian star Naguib El Rihani dancing with French dancer and singer Josephine Baker in Emad El Din street will certainly make your day.

The two met in 1945 during Baker's visit to Cairo. 

4. Queen Farah and Andy Warhol

queen farah, andy warhol, iran, rare,
Source: Pinterest

Did you know that Andy Warhol made a painting of the Iranian queen?

Prior to the Iranian Revolution that ousted the Shah, the American artist visited Tehran in 1976 to create a portrait of Queen Farah Pahlavi. 

Queen Farah was interested in the arts; she initiated the Shiraz Festival of Arts.

5. Samia Gamal and Robert Taylor

samia gamal. robert taylor, film, shooting, rare,
Source: Wordpress

Egyptian actress and dancer Samia Gamal met with American actor Robert Taylor on the set of Valley of the Kings (1954). The film was America's first major production in Egypt, released on July 21, 1954.

Egyptian actor Rushdi Abaza made an appearance in the movie. However, he wasn't credited. 

6. Taha Hussein and Helen Keller

taha hussein, author, egypt, usa, hellen keller,
Source: Twitter.com/so2rate

It doesn't happen very often that two literary legends from across the world meet and share a laugh. 

Hussein and Keller crossed paths during Keller's trip to Egypt in 1952 when Hussein visited her along with his family.

Keller wrote: 

''For years I had read about Taha Hussein Pasha, and I cannot express my delight one day when he visited me at the Semiramis Hotel, bringing his wife and son, and stayed a whole hour. I was privileged to touch his face, and how handsome, scholarly and full of inward light it was! His responsive tenderness warmed my heart, and I felt as if I had known him always.'' 

7. Malcolm X and King Faisal

malcolm x, king faisal,
Source: Pinterest

American activist Malcolm X was invited to Saudi Arabia in 1964 as a guest of state and pilgrim to the Holy city of Mecca. During his week-long visit, he met with Prince Faisal Al Saud. 

Malcom X described his visit to the Holy city as 'life-changing.' 

8. Robert De Niro and Ahmed Zaki

mervat amin, mohamed khan, ahmed zaki, robert de niro, egypt, usa, rare, actors,
L: Mervat Amin, Robert De Niro, Ahmed Zaki, Mohamed Khan Source: Imdb

The two brilliant actors met during the screening of Zaki's hit film, Wife of an Important Man (1987). 

De Niro spoke of Zaki's acting skills, according to the film's director, Mohamed Khan. Di Niro told Zaki: "You are a genius, and how come there is someone like you who can act like this and we know nothing about."