This page is to help Americans communicate, understand, and most importantly, do business in the Middle East. Seafood is mostly fish while mutton and lamb are the more common meats. 1. To maintain good relations be aware of the correct behavior. ¾ Do not ask an Arab questions about his wife or other female members … Keep your left hand at your side and do not pass food with your left hand. Muslims speak various languages like Javanese, Punjabi, Malay, Bengali, Fula, Hausa, Tatar, Turkish, Persian, Pashto, Balochi, Kashmiri etc. Leaving behind a small amount of food on one’s plate is a sign of wealth. Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in the Bahrain - culture, greetings, gestures, etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more. You will always be offered refreshments in an Arab home or office. All the Muslims, no matter from where they belong, believe in charity, praying five times a day, pilgrimage, judgement day, god’s will etc. People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships tend to be more successful. The origin of Islamic culture is considered to be long before the birth of Muhammad, but it spread only after the revelation of Quran to Muhammad. Women in Arab countries are supposed to wear dresses that cover their complete body as well as the head should be covered by them with a veil. Don't as… Though both the groups wanted different leaders to guide them, they also had some common beliefs like faith in only one God, believing in holy books, angels, judgement day or the afterlife and prophethood. In Islamic culture, every aspect related to the life of a person has been covered. Islam believes that Muslims should protect themselves from things that are either not permitted in the religion or considered a sin. Always wash your hands before eating. The Arabs who stay clean and close to their beliefs are highly respected and honored in the whole Middle East. It is impolite to refuse food or drink if you are a guest. Lebanese culture is one of the most diverse cultures in the Arab region. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, the Muslims were majorly divided in two groups, the Sunni and the Shia. The Arab Muslim population is one of the dramatically increasing minorities in the United States. Arabs are generally very socially-oriented people. Don't shake hands with an Arab woman unless she gives you her hand first. ¾ Do not talk in public to professional Arab women unless it is business related. • Showing soles of feet is very offensive. Even in today’s modern times, the tradition carried over and touching anything with the left hand makes the food unclean and unfit to eat. Quran is believed to be the words of Allah himself, so disobeying anything written in the Quran is considered a sin. During the Middle Ages, Arabic was a major vehicle of culture in Europe, especially in science, mathematics and philosophy. —Family is very important. Bring a small gift of flowers, chocolates, pastries, fruit or honey. ¾ Do not try and engage a woman in conversation unless you have been formally introduced. 5. Arabs love greetings and welcoming guests, so it’s only respectful to show that you’re also thankful to be in their home. Literature and Classical Arabic poetry is highly valued. Cultural Emirati foods include chabab bread, Lugaimat (a famous dessert), machboos, and a few others. Due to a large force of people with Muhammad, he was allowed to enter Mecca. When many people starting believing in his teachings, Muhammad asked all his followers from all over the place to meet at Medina, from where they returned to Mecca. It is divided into three major branches: East Germanic languages, North Germanic languages and West Germanic languages. According to Islam, getting married is also for the cause of Allah. Arabs have a strong focus on the family unit. Islam also has some beliefs and practices that are being followed since its origin, no matter which location a Muslim belongs to. Although Muslims can proselytise to those of other faiths, it is forbidden for those of other faiths to proselytise to Muslims. The Sunnis had declared Abu Bakr as their leader who governed them for two years. Respect the different living areas in the home, when an Arab says, 'my home is your home' it is only an expression. It is important to always wash your hands before touching any food. After some time when Islam began to spread in the world, people speaking languages other than Arabic also wrote books and literature in their languages too. Arabic countries range from Morocco to North Africa, and … By following these simple rules, you will not only have a smooth, enjoyable dinner with people you love, but you will show your Arab family and friends that you respect and acknowledge your cultural roots. Saudi Arabia introduces 'decency' rules for tourists The Arab kingdom has identified 19 offenses against decency that will be punishable with a fine. Among the Semitic languages, the most spoken are Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Hebrew, Tigr… This branch or the group is called the “twelvers” who interpreted and preserved the correct meaning of the Shariah law and the Quran. It is like any other religion or way of life: people follow it or they don’t. In different religions, God is called by different names, but that doesn’t that there are many Gods. Muhammad was the last messenger of Allah. 1. It is not strong among some Christian groups like Egypt's Copts, and among certain educated elite. Similarly with regard to the "Arab culture," the cultural patterns vary slightly across the 21 Arab countries. Talking about language of Muslims, they speak various languages. In the Quran, it is not acceptable to eat pork or meat that is not halal (permitted). Always remove your shoes before sitting down on a rug to eat or drink tea. Muhammad started receiving revelations at the age of around forty years, by the angel named Gabriel who was sent to him by Allah himself. However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken at another person it symbolizes the sign of the evil eye. Marriages are a very important part of society. The author describes health beliefs and practices of th … That is why Islam has dress code to promote modest dressing in the society. Frequently, this will be Western-style tea or coffee. 5. Islamic Culture:As Islam is followed by a large number of people all over the world, the dressing may vary from one place to another. Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture. Everything has been governed and judged by the rules and regulations of the Islamic law in order to remove any kind of confusion among people. There is only one God, no matter how many names he has been given in different religions. Never openly refuse a request from a friend. Be cautious with any type of meat. Dress code applies to both men and women. In Arabic culture, women have the right to earn money by working outside the home. Though Muslims from each place have beliefs that may differ a little from other places, all of them believe that there is only one God, Allah(only he can be worshiped) and that Muhammad was the one to whom Quran was revealed by the God’s angel Gabriel. Everyone has heard of Arabic generosity and hospitality. Don’t sit with your legs stretched out – it’s considered rude during a meal. 3. Islam believes that Muslims should protect themselves from things that are either not permitted in the religion or considered a sin. ”I wish you harm” -Hitting the right fist into the open palm of … Asia, Middle Eastern part, Africa, Europe, America etc are the regions which include many Muslims. These religions primarily include Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism. Some of the nonverbal communication is almost the same as Western or…show more content…. They believe in completely surrendering themselves to the God and leaving everything on his will, though they have the right to react to their surrounding. Do not eat everything on your plate. It is not polite to say “No”. 4. Hall views meaning and context as "inextricably bound up with each other" (1982, p. 18). Accept whatever is offered to you. ¾ Do not stare at women or maintain eye contact. In this case, loyalty to family is of great importance, even more than to one’s own country. 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