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Understanding Arabic Culture

Posted on by mikenola

UNDERSTANDING ARABIC CULTURE

Understanding A Culture

Understanding Arabic Culture

Arabic culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined.

Islam is the most dominating, single influence in the Arab world.

The Arab World

Twenty countries encompass the "Arab world."

Governments include: Monarchies, military governments and socialist republics.

All embrace Islam

Arabs are more similar in their outlook on life than Westerners.

Arabic Beliefs

Most things in life are controlled by God.

Children are the "jewels" of the family.

Wisdom increases with age.

Inherent roles and responsibilities of men and women are vastly different.

Arabic Beliefs

They share basic beliefs and values that cross national or social boundaries.

Personal beliefs are influenced by Islam and are shared by non-Muslims.

Examples;

A strong family structure.

Different roles for male and female children.

Arabic Values

A persons dignity, honor and reputation are of paramount importance.

It is important to behave at all times in a way which will create a good impression.

Loyalty to ones family takes precedence over personal needs

Arabic Values

Social class and family background are the major determining factors of personal status, followed by individual character and achievement.

Religious Beliefs

Everyone should believe in God and have a religious affiliation.

Humans cannot control all events.

Dependent upon God (fate).

There should be no separation between church and state.

Religion should be taught in schools and promoted by governments.

Religious Beliefs

Piety is one of the most admirable characteristics in a person.

Religious tenets should not be subjected to liberal interpretations.

Threatens established beliefs.

Moslems belong to several different sects.

Islamic law (Sharia) takes precedent over all other law.

Arabic Self Perceptions

They are generous, humanitarian, polite and loyal.

They have a rich cultural heritage.

They have a history of literature, medicine, art, mathematics and sciences.

They are a cultural group and members of the "Arab Nation".

Arabic Self Perceptions

The Arab people have been victimized and exploited by the West.

Western culture weakens traditional family ties and religious values

Will have a corrupting influence on Arab society.

Arabs are misunderstood and wrongly characterized by most Westerners.

Arabic Traditions

Friendship is based on a relationship in which it is the duty of the friend to help to the best of his ability.

Good manners require that one never openly refuses a request from a friend.

Requests need not be done.

It is discourteous to say "No".

Arabic Traditions

Western culture: A ctions speak louder than words

Arab culture: Words without action have value (avoids conflict and saves face)

" Yes " is being polite, as required by culture.

" is being polite, as required by culture. Yes may mean "maybe"

"As God wills it" may mean "No".

"Do this for my sake" will incur indebtedness.

Arabic Traditions

Arabs tend to provide details about their personal lives and connections.

Honor and dignity flow from the family.

Provides a look into the associates of the person being spoken to.

People that are mentioned first may form the foundation for the subjects life.

Arabic Traditions

Arabs are a socially-oriented people.

Expect to receive requests

Return favors in kind

People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships are most successful.

Arabs like to be praised in public.

SOUND SINCERE!

Arabic Traditions

Pride is one of the mainstays of the Arab character.

To establish good rapport, be aware that self-esteem is of foremost importance.

Arabic Thinking

Subjectivity and emotional outbursts are more common in Arab culture and deemed more acceptable.

Arabs reserve the right to look at the world in a subjective way.

Arabic Thinking

Fatalism based on religious beliefs is very common.

Arabs are more likely to allow subjective perceptions to direct their actions.

An Arab will rarely admit to an error if it will cause loss of face.

Honor is more important than facts.

Human Dimensions

Arabs believe in persons, not in institutions.

Arabs are usually not as angry as they appear.

Their emotions connote a deep and sincere concern for the outcome of the decision.

Never expect a "yes" or "no" answer to a sensitive matter.

The answer may be somewhere in between.

Human Dimensions

Good manners constitute an important factor in evaluating a persons character.

Patience is critical.

Arabs have plenty of time.

Little need to accommodate people in a hurry.

Human Dimensions

Family loyalty and obligations take precedent over loyalty to friends or the demands of a job.

Religious affiliation is essential for every person in Arab society:

There is no place for atheists or agnostics.

Other religions and their practices are generally treated with respect.

TOPICS:

Culture/Society

Extended News

Foreign Affairs

KEYWORDS:

arabicculture





To: mikenola

What's to understand. They want Western people DEAD.



To: mikenola

Seems to me that one could distill a lot of this down to two points: Truth is relative - and

Truth is relatives. Michael



To: mikenola

Western culture weakens traditional family ties and religious values Sure enough! Western culture would put an end to legal wife beatings and honor killings.



To: mikenola

Islamists believe that: Wife-beating is an act of virtue. A rape victim has dishonored her family. A rape victim has sinned against the man who raped her It is virtuous to behead a child you wrongly believe has been raped. A woman who commits adultery should be stoned to death. A man who commits adultery should help stone the woman he had adultery with to death.



To: mikenola

Do you have a more direct link for this information? I was not able to find what you posted from the source link.



To: E. Pluribus Unum

You forgot one. It is permissible to gang rape a sister of a man who has committed adultery, rape, or sex outside of marriage.



To: PetroniDE

Thanks.



To: Ooh-Ah

sorry, i couldnt find it their either. This was a Powerpoint that came via email.



Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: mikenola

Arab culture: Words without action have value (avoids conflict and saves face)

"Yes" is being polite, as required by culture.

Yes may mean "maybe"

Arabs reserve the right to look at the world in a subjective way.

An Arab will rarely admit to an error if it will cause loss of face.

Honor is more important than facts. All of which helps explain why any treaty signed with Arabs isn't worth the paper it's written on.



To: mikenola

read later



To: mikenola

Most things in life are controlled by God. Only Most? What controls the rest?



To: Hugin

All of which helps explain why any treaty signed with Arabs isn't worth the paper it's written on. <---Actually it would be worth what ever the current market value of toilet paper is?







To: tet68

Only Most? What controls the rest?



Satan.



To: tet68

Or the U.S. I guess it is the same thing to the Arabs.



To: E. Pluribus Unum

7. Lying to an infidel is not only acceptable, but in some cases required.



To: E. Pluribus Unum

You are very crazy man



Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: Redleg Duke

Please, not here. Thanks, AM



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