Arabic Culture Project

By: Turner Curry, Brandon Rigelsky, Anthony Scandy,

Vince Sferra, Joe Wrask,
Arabian American Overview, Topography, Localities:
This group includes immigrants from Southwest Asia and North Eastern Africa. Some
of the countries they migrated from include Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Libya
and Yemen.

In the United States there are roughly 3.7 million documented Arabian American
citizens. More than two thirds of the population live in the states: California, Michigan,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia and Florida

They prefer to live in Metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York.
These cities host roughly a third of the population alone.

Relatable fact to us: The combined Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania population is
roughly 390,000. We are very likely to come across this culture if we work in the area.
Arabian American Overview Continued:
Economics: Median income in 2008 was $56,311 compared to the median for all
household incomes which was $51,369.

Individual income however is 27% higher than the national average. This average is
$62,000. Only 13% of Arabian families live below the poverty line

Politics: 2016 election personal politics have prevailed in the United States. Instead of
following a traditional party most people have picked and chose certain aspects of each
party and have a blended political belief. In the United States traditional “loyal”
demographics voted against their party on both sides.

At the Youngstown State University, students have seen both sides. Some proclaim
“Muslims for Trump” and others “Muslims for Clinton”. Arabian Americans as well as
most other demographics beliefs are considered unique and personal.
Arabian American Final and Workforce:
90% of Arabian Americans have at least a high school diploma.

45% of Arabian Americans have a bachelor’s degree compared to 27% of Americans

overall.

The group also has 18% of its population having obtained a postgraduate degree as
compared to only 10% of the overall American population.

65% in the labor force and 5% unemployed.

73% of working Arab Americans are employed in managerial, professional, technical,

sales or administrative fields. All of these fields are considered high stress.

88% work in the private sector while 12% are government employees.
Health-care Practices:
In America, an Arabian American who is not a muslim, or follower of Islam, can be cared
for in a similar way as a member of the western-world, or an average American. They still
have some of the traits of the culture such as family importance however these people
whom live in more of a western style home life do not follow all of the practices of the
culture

If the patient is a muslim, they have different forms of treatment and are very traditional
and committed to their religion and practices. 92% of American Arabians practice Islam.

Arabian Americans see sickness and pain as very severe. The patients are very vocal about
their pain and discomfort and expect immediate attention in the event of a flare up or a
period of excessive pain or discomfort. Family members also become very hysterical and
upset to see members of the family in uncomfortable situations.
Health-Care Practices Continued:
Traditional beliefs: Although an Arabian American will not refute pathogens, bacteria
and other organisms infecting humans, however they still have beliefs that curses and
spells can cause accident or illness in their lives.

Some believe that if a good event happens to their family such as a birth or a raise at
work, that can cause envy in other parties, that could send darkness through their envy
(evil eye) to affect their family negatively. Because of this, amulets might be worn for
protection by God. Some Muslims will refuse to remove these amulets and other
traditional pieces of jewelry.

If the patient needs an MRI for something alternate routes may need to be taken or it
may take coasting to get them to comply and remove their jewelry. There are many
home remedies for fighting illness and beliefs.

One common one is the absence of ice in their drinks when they are fighting illness.
Health-Care Practices Continued:
Religious beliefs: Most Muslims are very committed to their religion and traditions
surrounding it. They believe that illness is a reason to get closer to God however they
do not believe that God was the cause of the disease. It is appropriate to offer to cover
Christian or other religious symbolism in the room if they wish. One big aspect of the
Islam religion is modesty which will be discussed in further detail in the barrier
section.

Responsibility for Health: The patient often sees the nurse as responsible for health
promotion. Family members may seem very demanding, loud and repetitive in their
asking for care to help themselves or their family member.
Health-Care Practices Continued:
Transplantation: Although the Quran believes that coming to God whole is the best
way, there is a loophole to organ transplants and donation. There is a term in the
Quran that roughly translates to “necessities permit the prohibited”. Because of this
most muslims will accept organ transplants and some will allow their own organs to be
donated.
Health Care Barriers
Arabian Americans commonly want to be seen by medical workers of the same sex.
Males want to be attended to by male nurses, and females prefer a female nurse.. Some
highly traditional muslims will become angered if women are making eye contact or
overstepping traditional boundaries of the mans’ culture.

Gelatin, which is made from boiling the hides of animals (often pigs) will often be
refused by muslims because the pig is seen as an unclean animal. This becomes a
problem if gelatin is an active ingredient in a medicine they must take because they
will refuse to take it. They will refuse to eat foods made from pig as well. This includes
bacon, ham, marshmallows, and jello.
Arab American Risk Factors
Spirituality
Islam is the official religion of most Arab countries.

Muslims believe in combining spiritual medicine, reading of the Qur’ an, and daily
prayers with the conventional medical treatment when necessary.

Sometimes it can be hard for a Muslim to practice these things in a healthcare setting,
so we need to assist the individual or family in making accommodations for prayer.

If necessary you can schedule appointments so they can be completed before

communal prayer time on friday afternoon. Their work week runs from Saturday
through Thursday.
Spirituality Continued
Sometimes, when nearing death, a devout patient will ask if a nurse can turn his/her
bed towards Mecca for prayer. We need to accommodate and respect this as this is
very important amongst Muslims.

A nurse also has to recognize that cleanliness is important because prayer is not
acceptable unless the body, clothing, and place of prayer is clean.
Ramadan
One month of the year Muslims fast for nearly thirteen hours a day in a religious
observation to their religion in hopes to please Allah and gain his blessing. Although
“necessities permit the prohibited” some often do not want to quit fasting. This can
cause complications if they refuse to eat in the hospital. This can also cause a trip to
the hospital if someone becomes hypoglycemic due to being diabetic and not eating.
Death & Dying
Death Rituals: As death approaches many American Arabians will do as a traditional
muslim will do and try to make right with as many people as possible. It is traditional
for them to settle all differences before death and meeting their creator.

If the patient is terminally ill, or death is imminent, they often prefer to die in the
hospital surrounded by the family members that the head of the household deemed
acceptable as visitors. Sometimes young girls are barred from the room if the head of
the household deems necessary.

If your patient is a Christian Arab American then he or she may request the presence
of a priest.
Death & Dying Continued:
The patient may request the bed being moved towards the North East for religious
purposes. Before death, it is expected that the care does not diminish or become
palliative. Pain medication and proper nutrition must be given because they believe
Allah is the only one who can decide their fate of life and death. For this same reason
many Arabian Americans who are Muslim do not resuscitate orders.

Following death, Arabian Americans prefer to bury their dead as soon as possible.
Funerals are attended by mainly men and often few women are allowed to attend. The
body must be ceremoniously cleaned with attention paid to every orifice for meeting
the creator. Often times Arabian Americans choose not to be organ donors because
they believe they would not be whole in the next life if they were donated.
Communication
Arabic is the official language (Modern or Classical)

English is the second most common language

You must speak clearly and slowly, giving time for translation, and have an interpreter
nearby if necessary

Conversants stand close together, maintain steady eye contact, and touch only between
members of the same sex

Speech is often loud and expressive, with repetition and gesturing

Privacy is valued, especially personal information to strangers

Manners, such as shaking hands and sitting/standing with proper posture, are crucial
to gain respect.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!
 References
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International Strategy and Policy Institue (ISPI) :. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.ispi-usa.org/guidelines.htm

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