Background Knowledge About Arab Culture

BACKGROUND
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
ARAB CULTURE
Arab – a term used to describe the people whose native
tongue is Arabic.
- it is a cultural term, not a racial term and Arabic people
come from various ethnic and religious
background.
- Arab world stretches across 22 countries and consists of
over 200 million people.
ARAB COUNTRIES
A. Jordan
B. Kuwait
A. Egypt
C. Lebanon
B. Algeria
D. Libya
C. Bahrain
E. Morocco
D. Comoros Island
E. Djibouti F. Mauritania
F. Iraq
• Oman
• Palestine
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tunusia
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen
SHARIA
Islamic Law means “The Way”
It is the entire spectrum of the law Islam which is based not only in
the Qur’an, but also the teachings of Muhammad. These are
known as Hadiths.
HADITHS – address subject not covered in the Qur’an and were
collected from second hand sources centuries after Muhammad’s
death.
2 TYPES OF MUSLIM
 Sunni Muslims – the word Sunn, in Arabic, comes from a word meaning "one who follows
the traditions of the Prophet."
- it is the vast, dominant majority of Islam.
- Strong supporters of Islamic Law
- believed that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of
the job.
Abu Bakr -Prophet Muhammad's close friend
- became the first Caliph (successor or deputy of the Prophet) of the Islamic
nation.
 Shi’a Muslims – the word Shia in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people.
- About 10% of all muslims are shi’a.
- believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should
have passed directly to his cousin and son-in-law, Ali bin Abu Talib.
ARABIC CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
1. RELIGIOUS BELIEF
 Arab culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined.

ISLAM – is the predominant religion.
- other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect.
MOSQUE – considered holy sites and strict rules accompany visits to
the mosque.
- never walking in front of someone praying.
- prohibitions of pictures or videos of people in the mosque.
- men wearing shorts and women wearing sleeveless or short
– sleeved dresses.
2. FAMILY IS IMPORTANT
• Besides their faith, family is the second most important element to Arabs.
• Children are considered as ‘jewels’ and that men and women, as well as male
and female children have different and distinct roles.
• A person’s honor and dignity come from their family.
3. EVERYDAY ARABIC TRADITIONS
• It is not polite to say “NO”. The term “As God wills it” is a nicer way to say no.
• It is always best to say “YES”. Keep in mind that a “YES” can also mean “Maybe”.
• Never openly refuse a request from a friend,
• If someone does a favor for you, return the favor in some way.
• Arabs are generally very socially – oriented people.
• People who are relaxed and personable enough to established relationships tend to
be more successful.
4. ARAB THINGKING
• Arabs are more likely to have subjective perceptions.
• To protect lose of face, an Arab will rarely admit to a mistake.
• Honor is more important than facts.
• Arabs believed in persons, not in institutions.
• Emotions connote a sincere concern for the outcome of the decision.
5. GREETINGS AND GESTURES
• Handshakes is common greetings and farewell.
• Long shakehands, grasped elbows, and walking hand in hand by two males is common place
in the arab world.
• Hugging only occurs between close friend.
• Contact between members of opposite sex in public is considered out of bounds.
• Only use the right hand to eat, touch, and present gifts.
• Eye contact during discussions is often long and direct. Long eye contact to women is
considered rude.
• It is offensive to ask a man about his wife or female family member.
• Never point at a person.
ARAB DRESSES
WOMEN IN ARAB SOCIETIES
• Arab women are subordinates to men in their society.

• THINGS TO DO:
• Respect the privacy and protected role of women in Arab Societies.
• Men stand when a women enter a room.
• Respect the different living areas for men and women.
• Do not expect women to eat or socialize in the same room as men.
• THINGS NOT TO DO:
• Do not shake hands with an Arab woman unless offers her hand first, or if you are
a women. Do not flirt, hit-on, touch, hug or talk in private with women. IT COULD
ENDANGER THEIR SAFETY>
• Do not talk in public to professional Arab Women unless it is business related.
• Do not try and engage as woman in conversation unless you have been formally
introduce.
• Do not stare at women or maintain eye contact.
ISLAMS FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
SHAHADAH – DECLARATION OF FAITH
• First pillar of Islam is Shahadah.

• Arabic for “Testimony” .
• “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”
• Converting to Islam
o Professing Shahadah in front of two Muslim witnesses .
• Whispered into right ear of newborns .
• Preferred last words of dying Muslim
SALEH - PRAYER
 CALL TO PRAYER TIMES .

• At dawn before sunrise .
• Just after the height of midday, when the sun begins to set .
• During the afternoon when the shadows have lengthened (between noon and sunset)
• Just after sunset .
• During the hours of darkness .
 There is a proper way to wash before prayer. These are ritualistic washings
which symbolize purification.
• Wash hands up to the wrist 3 times .
• Rinse mouth out 3 times .
• Sniff water into the nostrils and blow it out 3 times .
• Wash the entire face 3 times .
• Wipe off the top of head one time .
• Wash your ears .
• Wash the back of your neck one time .
ZAKAT - ALMS
• Third pillar of Islam .

• From the Arabic word meaning to “purify” .
• Alms amounting to 2.5% percent gross income .
• Hoarding of wealth not favorable Collection not enforced .
• A specific collection, called Sadaquah, is used to respond to catastrophes .
SAWN - FASTING
• The fourth pillar, Sawm, has a considerable effect on the everyday life of an observant Muslim during
the Islamic month of Ramadan.
• This is a month of fasting from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intercourse during the daylight hours. It
is a time for self-discipline, selfreflection, and empathy for the poor.
 Fasting Guidelines
o during daylight hours NO
• food
• drink
• sexual intercourse
• smoking
o activity shifts to night
o ends with feast
 Bad manners to break fast in presence of Muslims
o Arrest or deportation possible
HAJJ - PILGRIMAGE
• The Fifth and Final Pillar is the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca required of every
Muslim (if feasible) at least once in his or her life time. The Hajj takes place
annually during the first 10 days of the Dhu al-Hijja, the twelfth month of the
Islamic year.
• Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia.
• During the Hajj, pilgrims must be in a state of ihram (consecration or blessing).
Men typically wear two pieces of white unstitched cloth – covering the waist
and legs, the other around the shoulders covering the upper body.
• The Hajj culminates, on the 10th day of Dhu alHijja, and begins the 4- day
festival know as ‘Eid al-Adha’ (Feast of the Sacrifice), which is celebrated by
Muslims around the world with prayer, and exchange of gifts.
THANK YOU!

Background Knowledge About Arab Culture

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BACKGROUND

 Arab culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined.

• Arab women are subordinates to men in their society.

• First pillar of Islam is Shahadah.

 CALL TO PRAYER TIMES .

• Third pillar of Islam .

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