Prof .

Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 1

• Arabic : is a Central Semitic language
• Pronunciation : ‫ ا لع ربية‬al-arabiyah
• Spoken in : Primarily in the Arab states of the
Middle East and North Africa;
it’s language of Islam.

• Total speakers : by more than 280

million people as a first language ,
and by 250 million more as a second
language after English and/or French.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 2

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 3
Arab World
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 4
• Arabic Family:
Afro-Asiatic

Semitic

West Semitic Central Semitic

Arabic

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 5

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 6
 Arabic usually designates one of three
main variants:

• Classical Arabic.
• Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
• Colloquial or dialectal Arabic.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 7

 1. Classical Arabic:

• is the language found in the Qur'an and used from the

period of Pre-Islamic Arabia to that of the
Abbasid Caliphate.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 8

2. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) :
• is the literary language used in most current, printed
Arabic publications, spoken by the Arabic media
across North Africa and the Middle East, and
understood by most educated Arabic speakers.

• Literary Arabic is the standard

and literary variety of Arabic used
in writing and in formal speech.
It is part of the :
Arabic macro language.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 9

 3. Colloquial or dialectal Arabic :

• refers to the many national or regional varieties

which constitute the everyday spoken language .

• For Example : Egypt

Egyptian dialect

Cairene dialect Alexandrian dialect

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 10

Q1 : Arabic language spoken in……………….

Q2: From what family the Arabic language is ?

Q3: What are the three main variants of Arabic?

Q4: What is the dialects Arabic language of

Morocco? Moroccan Arabic ,Maghrebi

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 11

• Find the colloquial or dialects Arabic
language for any three chosen countries
from the Arab world.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 12

• An Arab (Arabic:‫ع=ربي‬, Arabi) is a person who
identifies as such on ethnic, linguistic or cultural
grounds.

• The plural form, Arabs ‫ع=رب‬

( ‫ ا==ل‬Al-Arab), refers to the
ethnocultural group as a whole; a Semitic people
historically residing predominantly in Arabia but
today spread across most of the Middle East and
many other parts of the world.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 13

• There are over 200 million Arabs worldwide.
• To be an Arab, is not to come from a particular race or
lineage.
• To be an Arab, like an American, is a cultural trait rather
than racial.
• The Arab world includes Muslims, Christians and Jews.
• Any person who adopts the Arabic language is typically
called an Arab.
• Arabic is the official and the original language of the
Qur’an, the Islamic holy book.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 14

• It must be emphasized that there is “ no one” Arab

culture or society.

• The Arab world is full of rich and diverse

communities, groups and cultures.

• Differences exist not only among countries, but

within countries as well.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 15

• An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and
behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic
thought and social learning.

• The set of shared attitudes, values,

goals, and practices that characterizes
an institution, organization or group.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 16

• Arab culture:
is an inclusive term that draws together
the common themes and overtones
found in the Arabic-speaking cultures,
especially those of the Middle-Eastern
countries. This region's distinct
Religion, Art, and Food are some of
the fundamental features that define
Arab culture.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 17

• List down the most famous Arab cultures:
Hints:
1. Religion
2. Food
3. Dress
4. Believes
5. Attitudes
6. Men vs. women

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 18

 ARAB DRESS ( MEN )
• Arab dress for men ranges from the traditional flowing Thobes to blue
jeans, T-shirts and western business suits.

• The Thobes allow for maximum circulation of air around the body to
help keep it cool, and the head dress provides protection from the sun.

• Headdress pattern might be an indicator of which tribe, clan, or family

the wearer comes from.

• While in one village, a tribe or clan might have a unique headdress, in

the next town over an unrelated tribe or clan might wear the same
headdress.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 19

 Examples of Headdress :
• Red and /or white Ghetrah.( Middle East)

• Historically of Palestinian origin. Black and grey

represent Presidential rule and completion of the
Hajj.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 20

 ARAB DRESS ( WOMEN )
• Adherence to traditional dress varies across societies. (More traditional—
Saudi Arabia Less traditional – Egypt) .

• Traditional Arab dress features the full length body cover

(Abayah, Jilbab, or Chador) and Veil (Hijab).

• Some women cover their faces as well.

( In class assignment : list down other different dresses

for Arab women )

Example:
• Rural women, who
typically work in the
fields, may wear less
restrictive garments
lighter in color and
weight.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 21

 WOMEN IN ARAB SOCIETIES
• Arab women are typically subordinate to men in their societies.
• The extent varies by country. The most restrictive conditions
exist on the Arabian Peninsula, and the most relaxed conditions
exist in the urban areas of Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.

• Answer with ( Do / Don't ) :

• Respect the privacy of women in Arab societies. ( )
• Men stand when women enter a room. ( )
• Shake hands with an Arab woman . ( )
• Shake hands with an Arab woman when she offers her hand first.
( )
• Stare at women or maintain eye contact. ( )
• Ask Arabian male questions about his wife or other female
members of his family. ( )

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 22

 FAMILY
• The family is the key social unit to an Arab.

• This loyalty influences all aspects of an Arab’s life.

• Arabs honor and respect their family.

• They highly value friendships.

• Fathers are the authority figure. Mothers have

power over the house and the children.

• Larger the better: Large families provide for possible economic benefits,
particularly for the possibility that a son will care for his parents in their
elderly years.

• Children: Male are favored, since a son is expected to care for his parents
in their advanced age, whereas a daughter becomes part of the son-in-
law’s family.
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 23
 ARAB CHILDREN
• Young children are treasured, adored and indulged.
• Arabs tend to have a preference for male.
• Older boys are allowed to attend the gatherings of men.
• Older girls are carefully protected.
• Children are taught to conform to norms and conventional Arab society.
• Children are not encouraged to seek individuality as much as they are in
the West.
• Children seldom leave home until they marry. It is expected
that everyone will marry.
• When girls married they don’t take their husbands name.
• Honor and dignity are tied to the good repute of one’s family.
• Children belong to their father’s family, and in the case of divorce the
father is automatically awarded custody of boys at least 9 years old and
girls at least 12 years old. Younger children remain with their mother.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 24

 ARAB Perspective vs. WESTERN Perspective
ARAB :

• Family : Center of everything. (Father has first and last word.)

• Friends : Periphery, but courteous to all.
• Honor : Very Important amongst Arabs. Honor will be protected and
defended at all costs.
• Shame (especially against family) : avoided at all costs, insults and
criticism taken very seriously.
• Time : less rigid. Approach to time is much more relaxed and slower
than that in Western cultures.
• Religion : Central to all things.
• Society : Family / tribe is most important.
• Government : Most governments are secular, but still emphasize
religion.
• Age and Wisdom honored.
• (Wealth honored in both cultures).

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 25

 ARAB Perspective vs. WESTERN Perspective
WESTERN :

• Family – Important but not as central to individual.

• Friends – Core to some, important to most.
• Honor – Typically not as important.
• Shame – Typically not as important.
• Time- Very structured, deadlines must be met.
• Religion – Varies by individual, very personal, not discussed in polite
conversation.
• Society – Individual rights.
• Government – Purpose is to protect rights and improve standard of living.
• Youth and Beauty praised.
• (Wealth honored in both cultures).

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 26

Q : Write Three points of each for the following :

A- Arab Dress Men

B- Arab Dress Women

C- Family in Arab World

D- ARAB Perspective vs. WESTERN Perspective

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 27

 FOOD
1. Introduction: The Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad imposed upon the Muslims certain restrictions on
what they ate and drank.

• Certain foods and products are forbidden (haram) to Muslim

according to the Qur'an and the Hadith (the sayings of the
Prophet Muhammad).

• "Allah, the Almighty is pure and accepts only that which is pure.
The Almighty has said, Eat of the pure things, and do righteous
actions. Oh, you who believe! Eat of the pure things that Allah has
given you." [Hadith quoted by Abu Huraira.]

• "Haram" is Arabic for "Forbidden" and "Unlawful".

• ( Hallal = “permitted”).

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 28

 FOOD
A. Forbidden Foods According to the Qur'an:

1. Alcohol or liquor Alcoholic drinks "confuse the mind and lead one
astray".

2. Pork - In the Qur'an (and in the Old Testament of the Bible) there is a
story that God cast (threw) the devil into a pig. Therefore, pork and any
pork products (some types of gelatin, and lard) and even leather goods
from the pig are forbidden to Muslims. This is also true of Jewish
traditions. [NOTE: The disease of trichinosis is caused by worms that
live in pigs and can be passed on to humans who eat unclean pork. This
restriction was very important to people's health.]

3. Carnivorous (meat eating) animals and birds, e.g. lions, tigers,

vultures, eagles, etc. are forbidden.

4. Other animals are also excluded: donkeys, monkeys, elephants.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 29

 FOOD
5. Any animal that has died due to natural causes, killed by some
wild animal, by a fall or blow are also forbidden. Of course there are
good health reason for not eating animals that may be sick or diseased.
Flesh that had been sacrificed for some God or Goddess by pagans was
also forbidden.

6. Blood is forbidden.

7. Drugs are also forbidden (except as medical drugs).

                               
                     

NEVER
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 30
 FOOD
B. Ways to Slaughter Animals
• In addition, there are also ways to slaughter an animal according
to Islamic rules. Otherwise their meat will be considered "haram".
Generally, the animal must have its throat slit by a sharp knife and
die quickly with little pain. This is done with a prayer of thanks to
God. Slaughtering rules are humane (kind-hearted) and don't allow
the animal to suffer.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 31

 Arab Food
BEFORE
Originally Arab food was the food
of the desert nomads. Therefore it
was simple and portable. Nomads
stopped in oases and in settled
farming areas to get some of their
food, such as flour for bread,
fruits and vegetables, and spices.
They brought animals with them
to provide meat and milk.
( They cooked over campfires )
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih
AFTER
During the early Middle Ages,
Islamic empires spread from the
Atlantic Ocean to India. The
World of Islam (Dar al-Islam)
would continue to expand to other
areas of the world in later
centuries. An exchange of foods
from these vast territories was
possible. And most Muslims now
dwelt (lived) in villages, towns,
and large cities. No longer was
"Arab" food only that of the desert
nomads.
( Now they use ovens )
32
 Foods of the Desert Nomads
• Nomadic tribes could use only foods that could be carried with them,
such as rice and dates, or animals that could travel, like goats, sheep,
and camels. As the caravans journeyed throughout the Middle East, new
seasonings and vegetables were discovered and added to the existing
diets.
• Below are some of the foods eaten by the Arab nomads during the
Middle Ages.
Dates
Flat bread (Pita bread)
 

 
Flat Bread was made along the caravan
routes and in the nomads' camps. It is made
from wheat flour, water, and a little salt.
The dough can be flattened and shaped by
 
                                                                                         

Dates are one of the    

most important
foods of the Middle East. These
           
fruits come from the date palm tree
which grows           
in the hottest deserts
hand like a tortilla and put on a flat pan near oases.            
over a fire.            
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih             33
Sheep and Goats
Sheep were the most
important source of milk
and meat for the nomads.
Lamb is perhaps the most
popular meat in Arabic
cuisine (style of cooking).
Goats were also raised for
meat and milk.
Foods of the Desert Nomads
Beans and Grains Cheese and Yogurt
The nomads traded for these Feta Cheese is made from
beans and grains to add to goat milk. The nomads also
their diet. Chickpeas (also got milk from camels and
called garbanzo beans), faba made "camel" cheese.
beans, and lentils were dried Yogurt is also made from
and carried on the nomads' milk. It originated (first
trips. started) with the Turkish
and Mongol peoples.
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 34
 Foods of the Desert Nomads

                                                                   
          
Dried Fruits, Nuts, and Olives Camel Meat and Milk
                                    

                                                                                        

Dried Fruits (such as raisins The nomads also ate

from grapes, dried apricots, figs, camel meat and drank
etc.) and nuts were brought on camel milk.
trips. Olives were also eaten.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 35

 Other Foods from Arab Lands
Drinks:
• Arabic Coffee was discovered about
400 B.C., probably in Ethiopia and
spread rapidly to the Arabian
peninsula. Coffee has a mild
stimulant (a light drug-like
"buzz") and is enjoyed in Arab lands.
Offering a cup of coffee to a guest is
part of Middle Eastern hospitality.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 36

Arab Customs about Eating and Etiquette
Arab Customs include:

• Eat with your right hand:

• When eating with Arabs, especially when taking food from

communal dishes, the left hand must never be used, it is
considered unclean. And take food only from the nearest dishes.

• When served a beverage, accept with the RIGHT HAND ONLY! When
eating, drinking, offering, or passing use right hand only!

• Always offer snack foods to visitors and accept what is offered to you as a
guest, but only after modestly refusing the first offer.

• It is assumed that guests will accept at least a small quantity of drink (Tea
usually or sometimes Arabic Coffee) offered as an expression of friendship or
esteem.

• It is considered rude to decline the offer of drink.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 37

 Religion
• The Quran, Zaboor, Torah and The Bible
are the four (4) holy books.

• Islam: The Qur'an.

• Most of the Arabs are Muslims ,

and this religion affects the culture
of the Arab , so its important to
know about this religion. ( Islam )
 ISLAM
•Islam. means ‘submission', or specifically, submission to the Allah’s will
and obedience to His law.

•One God. Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion.

•God is ‘Allah’. Allah is immortal, omniscient, omnipresent, and genderless.

•Islam is the final word of God. Although Judaism and Christianity preceded
Islam and worships the same God as Islam, Islam claims to be more refined
than them in that it built upon both.

•Muhammad is God’s Prophet. Muhammad is not to be worshiped but is to

be respected and revered. Muhammad’s life and teachings provide the
examples of how one is to live his life.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 39

 ISLAM
MUSLIMS :

•Followers of Islam are called Muslims. There are 1.3 billion Muslims
worldwide.

•Muslims are not to be confused with Arabs. Muslims may be Arabs, Turks,
Persians, Indians, Pakistanis, Malaysians, Indonesians, Europeans, Africans,
Americans, Chinese, or other nationalities.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 40

 COMMON ISLAMIC TERMS
QUR’AN: Islamic Holy Book, given by Allah to the Prophet
Mohammad.

SHARIA: Islamic Law.

QADI: Judge of the Sharia Islamic law.

SUNNI and SHI’A: Two main branches of Islam.

FATWAH: A legal pronouncement in Islam usually issued at the

request of a judge or individual to settle a question when Islamic law is
unclear on the subject.

MUFTI: A Islamic law scholar who is an interpreter of Islamic Law (Sharia)

and capable of issuing a fatwah.

KHALIFA: Political leader chosen by elders.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 41

 COMMON ISLAMIC TERMS
MULLAH: Local religious leader/clergy (minister).

SHEIK: Leader of a family/village/tribe or mosque.

MADRASSAH: A school. Normally secular with some integrated

Islamic subjects, sometimes purely Islam oriented.

MOSQUE: Muslim place of worship similar to a church or temple.

IMAM: Community religious leader/clergy (bishop). In some

contexts, ‘Imam’ merely refers to the prayer leader.

MUE’ZZIN: Person who calls faithful to prayer.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 42

 ARABIC
•
CALENDAR/HOLIDAYS
Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar or cycle, consisting of
twelve months of 29 or 30 days each, totaling 353 or 354 days.

• Each new month begins at the sighting of a new moon.

• Actual dates may differ from dates provided.

• The holy day of the Muslims is FRIDAY. It is considered to be sacred

and the Day of Judgment will take place on Friday. In the Friday sermon the
Imam (prayer leader) gives the sermon (Khutba) and leads prayer.

1. Ashura
2. Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday
3. Ramadan
4. Layla tul-Qadr
5. Eid al-Fitr
6. Hajj
7. Arafah Day
8. Eid al-Adha
9. Islamic New Year

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 43

 ARABIC LEAGUE

Name: Arab League (Arabic: ‫ ا جلا معة ا لعر بية‬al-Jāmia al-

Arabiyya), officially called the League of Arab

States (Arabic: ‫ جا معة ا دلولا لعر بية‬Jāmiat ad-Duwal al-

Arabiyya).

DR. MOHAMMAD GABER 44

It is a regional organization of Arab states in

North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia.

It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six

members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (renamed

Jordan after 1946), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and

Syria.

DR. MOHAMMAD GABER 45

Mauritania 26 November, 1973 Nouakchott

Morocco 1 October, 1958 Rabat

Oman 29 September, 1971 Muscat
State of Palestine 9 September, 1976
Qatar 11 September, 1971 Doha
Somalia 14 February, 1974 Mogadishu
Sudan 19 January, 1956 Khartoum
Syria 22 March, 1945 Damascus

DR. MOHAMMAD GABER

46
 Current members of Arab
League
Egypt 22 March, 1945 Cairo
Lebanon 22 March, 1945 Beirut
Algeria 16 August, 1962 Algiers
Bahrain 11 September, 1971 Manama
Comoros 20 November, 1993 Moroni
Djibouti 4 September, 1977 Djibouti
Iraq 22 March, 1945 Baghdad
Jordan 22 March, 1945 Amman
Kuwait 20 July, 1961 Kuwait city
Libya 28 March, 1956
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih Tripoli 47
• Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar or cycle, consisting of
twelve months of 29 or 30 days each, totaling 353 or 354 days.

• Each new month begins at the sighting of a new moon.

• Actual dates may differ from dates provided.

• The holy day of the Muslims is FRIDAY. It is considered to be sacred

and the Day of Judgment will take place on Friday. In the Friday sermon the
Imam (prayer leader) gives the sermon (Khutba) and leads prayer.

1. Ashura
2. Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday
3. Ramadan
4. Layla tul-Quar
5. Eid al-Fitr
6. Hajj
7. Arafah Day
8. Eid al-Adha
9. Islamic New Year
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 48
Tunisia 1 October, 1958 Tunis

United Arab Emirates 6 December, 1971

Abu Dhabi

Yemen 5 May, 1945 Sana'a

DR. MOHAMMAD GABER 49

 Goals of the league

1.To keep the relationship among the member States.

2.Co-ordinate collaboration between them.

3.Safeguard their independence and sovereignty.

4.Find a general way to deal with the affairs and

interests of the Arab countries."

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 50

 Seretary-General

Amr Mohammad Moussa ‫عمرو محمد موسى‬

Egyptian (born in 1936)

DR. MOHAMMAD GABER 51

ISLAM’S FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH

1. SHAHADAH - Declaration of Faith

2. SALAH – Prayer
3. ZAKAH – Alms
4. SAWM – Fasting
5. HAJJ – Pilgrimage

SHAHADAH - Declaration of Faith

This declaration of faith is called the

Shahadah. The significance of this
declaration is the belief that the only purpose
of life is to serve and obey God, and this is
achieved through the teachings and practices
of Prophet Muhammad.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 53

 ISLAM’S FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
SALAH – Prayer
• It means = CALL TO PRAYER TIMES
• Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are
performed Five times a day, and are a direct link between the
worshipper and God.
• There is a proper way to wash before prayer.
• These are ritualistic washings which symbolize purification.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 54

ISLAM’S FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
ZAKAH – Alms
• An important principle of Islam is that everything
belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by
human beings in trust.

• The word Zakah means purification.

• Possessions are purified by setting aside a

proportion for those in need and for the society in
general.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 55

 ISLAM’S FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
SAWM – Fasting
• Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from
sunrise to sunset .
• Abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their
spouses.
• There are some Muslims who are not required to fast. They
are: pregnant women, nursing mothers, travelers, young
children and others are excluded from the fast.
• However Muslims can eat and drink during the nighttime
hours till before the morning prayer time (Azan Al-
Fajer ), then the fasting starts, until the sunset with the
coming of the evening prayer time
( Azan  Al-Maghrib ).
• One of the Important feast days for Muslims is
(Eid Al-Fitr ) following the long fast of Ramadan.

Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 56

 ISLAM’S FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
HAJJ – Pilgrimage
• The Fifth and Final Pillar is the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Macca
required of every Muslim. if feasible) at least once in his or her
life time.
• The Hajj takes place annually during the first 10 days of the
( Dhu al-Hijja ), the twelfth month of the Islamic year.
• During the Hajj, pilgrims must be in a state of (ihram)
(consecration or blessing). Men typically wear two pieces of
white unstitched cloth – covering the waist and legs, the other
around the shoulders covering the upper body.
• The Hajj culminates, on the second festival day for Muslims
know as ‘Eid al-Adha’ (Feast of the Sacrifice), which is
celebrated by Muslims around the world with prayer, and
exchange of gifts.
• Eid Al-Adha is a four day celebration when Muslims from all
over the world offer a sacrifice by slaughtering a sheep, cow,
or goat following the traditional Islamic customs .
57
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih
Prof . Shatha Abu Al - Fatih 58