Fundamentalism

"Us" and "Them"

There are distinct differences in the culture that many Americans dont understand and in some cases are not openminded enough or willing to try and understand....because, that, which we dont understand tends to be frightening and uncontrollable. So here are a few questions that I thought might help.

Why do some Arab women wear garments that cover their faces or heads?

This is a religious practice, not a cultural practice. It is rooted in Islamic teachings about hijab, or modesty. While some say that veiling denigrates women, some women say that it liberates them. Covering is not universally observed by Muslim women and varies by region and class. Some Arab governments have, at times, banned or required veiling. In some families, a mother or daughter may cover her head while the other does not. It becomes a matter of choice or ones personal expression and practice of her religion. Many countries, including Kuwait, will have about 3 levels that you see of this day to day. One is the most devout (even some of my muslim friends call them Ninjas), covering every inch of flesh with the exception of the eyes with the black garment (see below). These people come from more fundamental tribes...typically Bedouins...While they follow more traditional muslim practices, they are not free from western influence and seeing a "ninja" in a Lexus at a stoplight with a cell phone in her ear is typical. The second and most common level you see would be scarved at a minimum, with jeans under skirts and a more liberal taste in colors and patterns, and finally the least common but ever present Muslim woman is very westernized, dressing as conservatively, but with no sign of religious influence...very fashionable with big hair!

What garments might a woman wear to practice hijab?

One interpretation is that everything should be covered except hands, face and feet. Long clothing and a scarf would accomplish this and the head scarf might be called a hijab or chador. The long, robelike garment is called an abayah, jilbab, or chador. In Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia especially, a woman may wear a cloak that covers her head. Beneath a robe, a woman may be wearing a traditional dress, casual clothes or a business suit. The veil, in particular, has been made controversial by governments, gender politics and religious biases.

What about the white "robe" that is typically worn by Arab men?

The majority of Arab men in the region wear a long sleeved one piece dress that covers the whole body, called a "Dishdashah" or "Thoub". This garment allows the air to circulate, which helps cool the body during the hot summer days. During summer, the Dishdashah is usually made of white cotton to reflect sunlight. In winter, the Dishdashah is made from heavier fabric such as wool and comes in darker colors. With the Dishdashah men also wear a 3-piece head cover. The bottom piece of this head covering is a white cap that is sometimes filled with holes. This cap, called "Thagiyah", is used to hold the hair in place. On top of the Thagiyah is a scarf-like head cover that comes in two types: a light, white head cover called "Gutrah" which is worn in summer, and a heavy red and white checked head cover called "Shumag" which is worn during winter. These head covers protect the head from direct sunlight and can be used to cover the mouth and the nose during sand storms or cold weather. On top of the Thagiyah and the Gutrah is the "Ogal", which is a black band surrounding the top of the head to hold everything else in place. When male children reach puberty they are taught to wear the head covering as a sign for entering manhood. Inside the house, the head covering is not needed; when someone has guests in his house he wears it as a sign of respect.

What do Arabs do for entertainment?

Much of their activity is the same as ours...I have Arab friends who I scuba dive with...they like to go to movies, shopping, watersports...not alot of difference there...the more traditional day to day entertainment is a little different than what we might do, and yet really not so different. The Dewania is a very important gathering that usually takes place in the evenings. In every Arabian house, especially in the Gulf region, there is a room called "Dewaniah" or "Majlis" for guests gatherings. Most of these Dewaniahs are for male visitors only. The Dewaniah is usually located close to the outside main entrance, away from the rest of the house. Women guests gather in a room inside the house and sometimes get to their gathering room from an outside entrance specifically assigned for female visitors. In some parts of the Arabian region men and women who are not directly blood related to each other or not married to each other don't mix. That's why there are often separate guest gathering rooms for both genders in the same house. In some Arabian houses this rule of gender separation is not followed. Some Dewaniahs open on a daily basis and others once weekly. This regular gathering is a chance for relatives, friends, and invited guests to check on each other and converse in many subjects. It is a form of socializing where people communicate the latest news about other relatives, economy, business, sports, politics, etc. Tea, coffee, and sometimes a light snack is served.

What are some examples of conservative behavior?

In public, Arabs behave conservatively. Display of affection between spouses is nonexistent. It is a private society and display of ones feelings is kept private. You will also notice that laughter and joking in public is toned down, which is not the case in private gatherings. Arguments between spouses, friends, and people in general are also kept private or conducted in a way that guarantees no one else is aware of it.

What is the Family structure like in an Arab family?

In an Arabian family, gender and age plays a big role in specifying responsibilities. The father is usually the head of the family and the provider for its needs, while the mother plays a major role in raising children and taking care of the house. This structure is not always the norm; in recent years, both the father and the mother provide for family needs, while household chores are taken care of by maids and servants. In the past, most major family decisions were made by the father, but recently some of these decisions are made jointly by both the father and the mother. Sons and daughters are taught to follow the inherited traditions and are given responsibilities that correspond with their age and gender. Sons are usually taught to be protectors of their sisters and to help the father with his duties inside and outside the house, while daughters are taught to be the source of love and emotional support in the family, as well as helping their mother to take care of household chores. Winds of change do not spare any culture; the changes that entered the structure of some Arabian houses is not due to economical needs, but education for both men and women that is mandated by law in the Arabian countries. Education from kindergarten up to university degrees is free to nationals and sometimes residents of these Arabian countries. Although culture, traditions, and Islam strongly stress the importance of women's roles in taking care of the house and raising children, it is a mistake to think that Arabian women are confined to this role. Before Islam there were many successful Arabian businesswomen and they still exist throughout the Arabian region, but because of cultural reasons, they conduct business in an inconspicuous way. A daughter lives at her family house as long as she is not married; once she is married she moves to her husband's home. Sons might move to their own houses when they get married, but at least one son will still live at the family house even if he is married in order to take care of the parents. When a woman gets married there are no changes made to any part of her name.

Next time we are going to look at the kids...what are some of the social issues that might bring Arab Muslim teens to the forefront of extremism. Understanding the culture and providing insight into the social issues facing many impoverished muslim countries today may help us draw some conclusions.