The journal publishes biannually, once in the Spring and once in the Fall, and features undergraduate students' original research, interviews, and photo essays.

In addition to domestic readership, Al-Noor has distributed to more than a dozen foreign countries, including many in the Middle East.

[1][6][2] Journal co-founder Christopher Maroshegyi hoped the publication would encourage more dynamic conversations about the Middle East, telling campus newspaper The Heights, "I thought it was essential to present the region as it is, in a new light, different from the Iraqi violence or al-Qaida terrorism which sadly paints a picture of the Middle East for most Americans.

[11] Al Noor has historically interviewed leading figures in government, journalism, and academia for inclusion in each publication.

Past interviewees include Saudi royal and former Ambassador to the United States Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud,[12] former ABC News Middle East correspondent Charles Glass,[6] Syria expert Joshua Landis,[13] and activist Sakena Yacoobi.