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Social Life &
Customs Muslims regard Islam as an integral part of
daily life, resulting in an ordered society in which a
person's social, spiritual and economic status is clearly
defined. This way of life is for the most part drawn from the
Quran. Greetings and replies in particular are formal
and stylised. Manners and courtesy reflect a deeply-held
convention of hospitality and mutual respect. It is customary
for Muslim households to extend hospitality to people whom
Western society would disregard socially. For instance,
tradition dictates that anyone who appears at meal times must
be invited to share the meal, and this would apply as much to
strangers or tradesmen, whatever the reason for their call, as
it would to friends or relatives. Hospitality was a part of
Arab culture before Islam and the laws and teaching of Islam
reinforced it. Subjects such as illness or death are not
surrounded by taboo as they are in many Western societies, and
are discussed with frankness by all. Muslims are encouraged to
have close relationships and keep an open heart, an
understanding of others and to try and help with their
problems. The label of a family can cover any number
of individuals rather than just those related by blood ties.
Arab families are close-knit, and the importance of family
unity cannot be stressed too strongly. Inter-family disputes
are a cause for public shame and require immediate
attention. Giving and receiving Always use the right
hand. To offer gifts with the left hand is considered an
insult. Gambling is considered by most Islamic
countries to be an evil, and is strictly outlawed. Although many countries cultivate hashish
or marijuana, it is not culturally acceptable and in the
majority of countries the possession, use or trading of drugs
is severely punished. Drug abuse is not permitted in Islam,
particularly hard drugs such as heroin, morphine or cocaine,
but also any drug which interferes with the consciousness,
reasoning or judgment, affecting work, study or family
life. The consumption of alcohol is forbidden
by law. Many non-practicing Muslims will, however, drink
alcohol and will offer drinks to guests when outside their own
country. Most Islamic countries (with the exception of Libya,
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) permit the sale and consumption of
alcohol by non-Muslims. Generally the sale of alcohol will be
confined to international hotels, but visitors may in some
cases buy alcohol from wholesalers with a permit from their
company or local Embassy. Bars are usually closed during
Ramadan. Never drink alcohol while eating. Drunkenness is
considered disgraceful, and the visitor is advised to
never consume more than he or she can gracefully
manage. Smoking is also discouraged in Islam because of
the health hazards associated with it. However, do not refuse
a cigarette unless you are an ardent non-smoker, as an offer
of a cigarette is often a compliment, especially from one's
host. If invited to smoke a narghileh (hookah) do not
refuse and follow the ritual behavior exhibited. This
essentially social activity is popular in some
(Pakistan), but by no means all, Arab countries. Pork
is forbidden by Islamic law and all meat is killed by cutting
the animal's throat and draining the blood. This is called
halal meat. It is customary for the host/hostess to cut
up whole items of food (especially with mezzeh, the
Arabic equivalent of hors d'oeuvres) and distribute them. It
is also customary to offer guests the most succulent parts of
the meal, often the entrails or eyes. To refuse these is
considered an insult. In restaurants the person who makes the
invitation pays the bill and it is considered an insult to
contravene.
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Social Conventions Forms of
address: The Arabic equivalent of
'Mr' is Sayyid(for Muslims) and Khawaja (for
Christians), while married women should be addressed as
Sayyida or Sitt, and girls as Anissa. In
Islam it is also encouraged to call a Muslim man 'my brother'
and a Muslim woman 'my sister'. Islam regards men as equal,
but social conventions, hospitality and politeness of Islamic
societies prevent over familiarity.
Greeting
There follows a short list of Arabic greetings
and phrases. The transliterations are phonetic and intended to
assist pronunciation.
Marharba - Hello Markhabtain
- Hello (reply) Ma'a
Salama - Goodbye Ahlan wa sahlan - Welcome Ahlan feekum
- Welcome (reply) Sabah al-khir - Good morning Sabah
innoor - Good morning (reply) These were all
originally purely Arabic greetings. In Islam the common
greeting still widely used is Assalmu Alaykum ('Peace
be with you').
Clothing conventions
These are derived in
part from religious beliefs and in part from climatic
necessity. Western business suits are only practical during
the summer if they are lightweight. Businessmen will be
accepted if they wear open-necked shirts, as long as they are
well turned out. Women are advised not to wear revealing
clothes as this will attract unwelcome attention or ridicule
at best, and resentment and hostility at worst. Women should
also cover their heads when entering a Mosque. Muslim women
are generally advised to show face and hands only. Do
not sit in a position which places the soles of the feet
towards anyone, as this is considered a deliberate insult.
Shoes should be removed upon entering a Mosque or a
house.
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