Middle East

Society and Culture

GROUP II
 Where Continents Meet

• The Middle East is not a

geographical region, like
Africa, Asia, or Europe.

• Geographically, it denotes
an area in which Africa,
Asia, and Europe
interconnect.
The Many Cultures of the Middle East

• Consists of
approximately 20
countries with many
different religions and a
variety of ethnic and
linguistic groups.
 Crossroads of Civilization

• Situated between Africa, Asia, and

Europe, the Middle East has been a
crossroads for traders, travelers, and
empire builders for thousands of
years.
• It is a melting pot of ethic
backgrounds.
• Major ethnic groups in the Middle
East today include Arabs, Iranians,
Turks, Jews (Israelis), Kurds, and
Caucasians.
 Unsettled Ethnic Difference

• Cultural identity is very

strong.
• No group is willing to be
ruled by a group whose
culture, language, and
customs are different.
• Religious beliefs differ, and
religious beliefs often result
in serious disagreement.
 ISLAM
Islam is the common thread that join Middle Eastern
Country together amidst different cultures
Islam is viewed by many Muslims not simply as a
religion, but also as a cultural identity and heritage.
 Islam and Muslims

• The world of Islam is as diverse as the world of

Christianity.

• Islam is experienced differently across cultures. In

the words of a contemporary scholar of Islam:
“Islam is like a river in that it takes its color from the
cultural bed it flows through.”
 What is ISLAM?

• Islam is an Arabic word derived from the word

peace, which also means submitting to a higher
will.
• Islam means seeking peace by
submitting to the Divine Will.
 Who is God in Islam?

Say: He is God, the One ; God, the Eternal

and Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him.

Qur’an (112 : 1-4)

 Who are the Muslims?

• Individuals who completely and peacefully

submits to the will of God, believe in the
Articles of Faith and practices the Five Pillars
of Islam.
• Muslims constitute 1/5 of world population,
about 1.4 billion, and form the majority in 40
countries.
• They believe in Prophet Muhammad
 Qur’an

• Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic

guidance.
• The Qur’an is the record of the words of God
revealed to Prophet Muhammad in Arabic
through Archangel Gabriel. This revelation
came in phases and continued for twenty-three
years.
 Articles of Faith

• Belief in the Oneness or Unity of the Divine.

• Belief in Angels created by God
• Belief in the Revealed Books of God.
• Belief in the Messengers and Prophets.
• Belief in the Day of Judgment.
• Belief in Divine Dispensation.
 The Five Pillars of Islam

• Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)

• Prayer (Salah)
• Obligatory Charity (Zakah)
• Fasting (Siyam)
• The Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Hajj
Mecca
 Islamic Civilization

▲ Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 705

Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, built 1602 ▼

▲ Alhambra Palace, Granada 715

 Islamic Civilization
◄ Cordova University
(Cordova 786)

Al Azhar University ►
(Cairo 972)
The Blue Mosque
(Istanbul 1603)
▼
SOCIETY
 Middle Eastern Culture

• Honor (self-respect to self-pride) and expectation of

equal treatment regardless of wealth, position, or rank.
• Fierce sense of independence and resentment of
imposed rules or decisions not sanctioned by social
norms and customs.
• Strong loyalty to extended family, friends, and locality,
and a great expectation of solidarity.
• Hospitality to guests and visitors.
 Men and Women Clothing
• Abaya • Thobe
 Practices
• Most Middle Easterners still prefer arranged
marriage. The family always plays a major role in
the decision of any member to wed.
• The public display of intimacy between men and
women is considered offensive.
• This code also applies to husbands and wives
• The maintenance of family honor is one of the
highest values.
 Practices
• Muslims pray five (5) times a day
• Friday, the beginning of a weekend
• Women wear modest clothing & covered their
heads when entering mosques
• Remove your shoes when entering mosque
• Men & Women have separate reading, praying
and study areas
 Practices
• During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to
sunset
• Stand when someone enters a room/house.
• Respect different living areas in the house.
• Don’t shake hands with an Arab woman unless
she gives you her hand first.
• Don’t speak to Arab women before you are
introduced
 Practices
• Don’t ask about Arab’s wife or daughters.
• Take a gift.
• When offered snacks, decline the first offer but
then accept
• Never refuse a beverage (impolite)
• Always use the right hand when eating,
drinking, passing and accepting food
 Practices
• Avoid politics, religion and personal relationship
between men and women as topics of discussion
• Do not over stay. Leave soon after eating.
• Men should wear a suit and tie for business
meetings.
• Casual dress is unacceptable and impolite for
many social occasions
 Practices
• Shorts and sleeveless tops should only be worn
at the beach.
• Clothes should be clean and pressed
 Middle Eastern folktales
• One Thousand and One Nights is the collection
of Middle Eastern Folktales compiled in Arabic
during Islamic Golden Age. It is often known in
English are the Arabian Nights
 Beliefs
•