Al Nahla was launched by Louis Sabunji as a weekly publication in Beirut in 1870 when he was working as a Catholic priest in the city.[2][3] The first issue appeared on 11 May 1870.[4] The cover page declared that the magazine contained articles about science, industry, history, language, local affairs, foreign affairs, humour and narrations.[4] Of them the scientific, historical and humour sections were edited by Sabunji.[4] Al Nahla employed illustrations, including those drawn by its editor Louis Sabunji.[3] The magazine enjoyed the financial support of various sponsors, including Khedive Ismail and Sultan of Zanzibar.[3][5] Al Nahla had clashes with another Beirut magazine Al Jinan and its editor Butrus Al Bustani in early 1871 when Sabunji attacked Al Bustani.[6] Due to these conflicts and its anti-Hamidian content, Al Nahla was subject to bans by the Ottoman governor of Syria.[3][4] In fact, these bans were the first censorship by the Ottoman authorities in the region.[6] From August 1871 the magazine was published by Sabunji's business partner Joseph Shalfun.[4]
In 1876 Sabunji had to leave Beirut as a result of his increased anti-Ottoman views published in Al Nahla and settled in London.[3] Next year he began to publish Al Nahla in London as a bilingual publication covering Arabic and English content.[2] George Percy Badger was instrumental in the restart of the magazine.[4] It continued its attacks over the Ottoman Sultan in London[1] denouncing him as "an usurper of the title of ... Caliph."[7] However, in London Al Nahla had another goal: to support those who were planning to open the East Africa markets for European trade.[4] The magazine was published regularly in London until 1 May 1880.[4][8] However, Sabunji revived it in 1883 and 1884 without any regular scheme.[8]
A complete collection of Al Nahla's issues is archived by the British Museum, London.[9]