UNDERSTANDING ARABS ISLAM PowerPoint Presentation CD

 All derivative (i.e. change in media; by compilation) work from this underlying U.S. Government public domain/public release data is COPYRIGHT © GOVPUBS

$3.00 first class shipping in U.S. and rest of world.

Includes the Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading and printing publications.

Contains the following key public domain (not copyrighted) U.S. Government publication(s) on one CD-ROM in both Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat PDF file formats:

TITLE

Understanding Arabs, 40 pages (slides) 

SLIDE TOPICS, SUBTOPICS and CONTENTS:

Understanding Arabs








Beliefs and Values
The first step in understanding any culture is to identify their basic beliefs and values.
Westerners:
Emphasis on individual
Laws apply equally to everyone
Right to privacy
Environment can be controlled by humans through technological means.
Beliefs and Values
Basic Arab Values:
A person’s dignity, honor, and reputation are of paramount importance (honor and shame are often viewed as collective, i.e., pertaining to the entire group or family).
It is important to always act in a manner that will make a good impression on others.
Loyalty to family takes precedence over personal needs.
Social class and family background are the major determinants of one’s personal status.
The next most important are individual character and achievement.
Beliefs and Values
Basic Arab Self-Perceptions:
Everyone believes in God, acknowledges His power, and has some religious affiliation.
Human cannot control all events – some things depend on God and fate.
Piety is one of the most admirable characteristics in a person.
There should be no separation between church and state (Islamic view, some Arab Christians may not agree with this).
Established religious beliefs and practices are important and liberal interpretations which threaten them are rejected.
Friends and Strangers
The Concept of Friendship
Friendships start and develop quickly.
Not just those people whose company they enjoy, but also have a duty to give help and grant favors.

Friends and Strangers
Reciprocal Favors
Never openly refuse a friend’s request.
Oral promise has its own value as a response.
Ex: An Egyptian did a favor for a Western professor working in Egypt (finding him an apartment, etc).  Later, he called on the professor for help in getting a graduate fellowship.  The professor replied that there was no point in trying, because the Egyptian’s grades were not high enough to be competitive.
By Arab practice, the professor should have made helpful gestures, such as researching schools.  The Egyptian would have graciously accepted the professor’s regrets when he did not get a fellowship, because the professor would have at least shown an acknowledgment of the friendship.




Friends and Strangers
Noncommittal answers are a common complaint made by Westerners.
A positive response is merely a declaration of intention and an expression of goodwill.
Inshallah means “If God Wills”; in other words, they may express good intention, but they are leaving a way out.
“Do this for my sake” attached to a request for a favor implies indebtedness.

Friends and Strangers
Introductions
Quickly determine social status.
Give a considerable amount of information about themselves and their family.
“influence networking”  (Westerners pay attention – a great way to establish contacts!).
Visiting Patterns
Friends should see each other often.
Value conversation and long discussions.
Will extend many invitations – while it is acceptable not to maintain them at the same pace, it is considered rude for Westerners not to reciprocate.

Friends and Strangers
Business Friendships
Do not operate well as merely “business colleagues”
A lot of outside socialization
A good personal relationship = successful business
At the beginning of meetings, a few minutes are set aside for light conversation
Westerners should wait for them to switch to business

Friends and Strangers
Office Relations
Never omit greetings of “Good morning/afternoon, how are you?” etc.
Do not eat or drink alone without inviting others to join you.
Inquire about illness and other personal matters (weddings, vacation plans).
Importance placed on direct praise for strong character or a job well done.

Friends and Strangers
Criticism
There are no words in Arabic meaning “constructive criticism” – all criticism is taken very personally, so it is important to phrase it carefully.
Do not give criticism in front of others.
Begin with the good points and be sure to include your high regard for them as an individual.

Friends and Strangers
Intermediaries
Wafta refers to a person with influence who serves to represent another.
In situations of conflict, it is particularly important to utilize an intermediary for whom the person you are in conflict with will hold in high regard.
Private and Public Manners
There is a clear distinction between towards friends and towards strangers.
In public, it is common to push, drive aggressively, and overcharge tourists.
Personal contact eliminates this aggressiveness and gives way to warmth and friendliness.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
Social Formalities and Etiquette
Good manners constitute the most salient factor in evaluating a person’s character.
Hospitality
Generosity to guests is essential for a good reputation.
A drink will quickly be offered, and to accept and drink at least a small quantity is considered an expression of friendship and esteem.
Accept and hold the cup with right hand.
If a guest arrives while others are eating, they will offer to share, but an unexpected guest should feel free to decline.

Social Formalities & Etiquette
Ahlan wa Sahlan  or Marhaba means “welcome” and will be stated when a guest arrives and usually several times throughout the visit.
Guests often are given a seat of honor and will be asked frequently if they are comfortable.
Even under inconvenient or unexpected circumstances, a guest would never be refused entrance.
Exception being if a woman was at home alone and the guest was a man
In this situation, the guest should refuse to enter, regardless of how soon the male member of the household is expected to be home.
Many Arab homes have a separate room for receiving guests, called a salon.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
Time and Appointments
Social occasions and appointments do not have fixed beginnings and endings.
Some Arabs are careful to arrive on time and are impatient with those who are not, while others are habitually late.
Therefore, a person who arrives late and has kept you waiting may not even realize that you have been inconvenienced.
Deadlines are often not met, even in public services such as bus schedules, and bureaucratic procedures – expect delays and be patient.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
Dinner should be planned for a late hour and guests should not be expected to arrive precisely on time.
Ma’alish means “never mind,” it doesn’t matter,” or excuse me – it’s not that serious” – will be used frequently when there is a delay.

Social Formalities & Etiquette
Discussing Business
Arabs mistrust people who do not appear to be sincere or who fail to demonstrate an interest in them personally.
Arabs don’t like to be hurried or pressured into an agreement.
They are not likely to criticize openly, but will give hints that changes need to be made.
Inaction is a strong hint – i.e., if they fail to follow up when promised.
Do not mistake good manners for an indication of your success.
A noncommittal reaction is not negative or positive – be patient.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
Sharing Meals
Western business people will often be invited to dinner at an Arab’s home for a meal.
Invitations are almost always verbal and frequently spontaneous.
Assume meal will be late (approximately 2 or 3 p.m. for lunch and 10 or 11 p.m. for supper).
Guests should arrive approximately two hours before the meal for conversation.
Will present abundant amounts of food to display generosity and esteem for the guests.

Social Formalities & Etiquette
Water may not be served until after the meal.
Some people consider it unhealthy to eat and drink at the same time.
Guest is expected to show admiration and gratitude for the food.
Eat sparingly on the day you are invited because out of politeness you will overeat!
In Morocco, a table is set with a tablecloth for each course.
Alhamdu lillah means “Thanks be to God” – say this when you have had enough to eat.

Social Formalities & Etiquette
When leaving the table, it is customary to say sufra dayma – “may your table always be thus”.
When guests express an intention to leave, the host will always encourage them to stay – consider this ritualistic – you will not offend by leaving.
Flowers or candy are an appropriate gift to bring
If a man is inviting a couple over, it is considerate to say “my wife invites your wife”.
Muslims are forbidden to eat pork, or consume alcohol (even if used in cooking).

Social Formalities & Etiquette
Smoking
The majority of Arab adults smoke, although women seldom do so in public.
Viewed as a right of coming of age.
Arabs often disregard “no smoking” signs.
Will often disregard you if you ask them to refrain from smoking, too.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
Rules of Etiquette
Sit properly – do not slouch or cross legs on top of a table.
When standing or talking with someone, do not lean against a wall or keep hands in pockets.
Sitting in a manner that shows the soles one’s shoes to face another person is an insult.
Failure to shake hands when greeting someone or when saying goodbye is considered rude.
Between a man and a woman, it is the woman’s choice whether or not to shake hands.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
One who lights a cigarette in a group must be prepared to offer one to everyone .
Men stand when a woman enters the room; everyone stands when a new guest enters the room at a social gathering, or when a high-ranking or elderly person enters or leaves.
Men allow women to precede them through doorways and offer their seats if no others are available.
When saying goodbye to a guest, a gracious host accompanies them to the outer gate or to their car.
Social Formalities & Etiquette
If a guest admires something small and portable, and Arab may insist that it be taken as a gift – be careful about expressing admiration for something expensive.
Gifts should not be opened in the presence of the donor.
In some social situations when very traditional Arabs are present, it may be considered inappropriate for women to smoke or to drink alcoholic beverages.
When eating with Arabs, do not use left hand.
Arabs will almost always insist on paying when out to dinner – it is appropriate to let them pay, but should be reciprocated later.

Social Formalities & Etiquette
Arabs do not approve of long hair on men or mannish dress and comportment by women.
Family disagreements should be avoided in front of others.
People should not be photographed without their permission.
Staring is not considered rude.
When eating out with a large group where everyone is paying their own share, it is best to let one person pay, and then be reimbursed later, as public calculation of bills is embarrassing
Most Arabs do not like to touch or be in the presence of household animals, especially dogs.

Getting Personal
On the whole, most Westerners feel that Arabs get too personal, too quickly.
Personal Questions
Like to discuss money, including questions about salary.
If unmarried or childless, Arabs might openly ask why.
Because weddings are often arranged and children bring prestige, it is unusual not to have them.
Would not be uncommon for them to attempt matchmaking.
On subject of children, a good response might be, “We would like more children, and if God wills, we will have more.”


Getting Personal
Sensitive Subjects
Two favorite Arab topics of conversation are religion and politics.
Both can be risky.
Muslims will often address Western non-Muslims about religion, which might lead to asking them to convert.
A good answer is that you appreciate all the information they have given you, and respect Islam, but you cannot consider conversion because it would offend your family.
Getting Personal
Readily bring up controversial politics like Palestine and colonialism and imperialism.
They are not prepared for frank statements, or even inadvertent comments, of disagreement.
The safest response would be to express concern for the victims of war, and offer your hope for lasting peace.  Then, wait for the subject to change!
If a sensitive subject has been brought up, an Arab will evade direct questions.
Getting Personal
Suggested “safe” topics that most Arabs will enjoy discussing:
Golden Age of the Arabs and their contribution to the Middle Ages.
The culturally required traits of an “ideal person.”
The experience of making the Hajj.
The person’s extended family.
The Arabic language, its literature, and poetry.

Getting Personal
Gestures
Men use gestures more than women, and less educated people use them more than well—educated people.
A list of typical gestures:
Moving the head slightly back and raising eyebrows = no
Moving the head back and chin up = no
Moving chin back slightly and making a clicking sound with the tongue = no
After shaking hands, placing the right hand to the heart or chest = respect or sincerity

Getting Personal
Holding right hand out, palm upward, and opening and closing = come here
Right hand out, palm downward, and move as if brushing something away = go away
Right hand out, palm upward, closing hand half-way and holding it = give it to me
Right hand out, palm downward, moving it up and down slowly = quiet down
Right hand out, palm upward, touching thumb and fingertips together and moving hand up and down = calm down; be patient

Getting Personal
Holding right forefinger up and moving it from left to right quickly several times = never
Right hand out, palm downward, then quickly twisting the hand to be palm upward = What? Why?
Thumbs up with right hand = very good; I am winning