Arab Culture: Comparing the Arab Culture

• Buffer
• Tweet

There are approximately 300 million people who define themselves as Arab. This demographic shares Arabic as their primary language, as well as usually identifying with Islam as their spiritual heritage. Arabs therefore tie their identity to their culture and history, rather than particular appearances. Most Arabs live according to the Muslim faith, yet a great number of Jewish and Christian people of Arab decent make their home in one of the 22 Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa. To appreciate the Arab culture that exists and flourishes today, and how their culture differs from previous generations, there are a number of aspects to explore.

Today’s Arabs live in a world vastly different than the nomadic people of generations ago, and even of their parents’ generation. While some countries, such as Iran, are reluctant to re-shape the country in the areas of governance and culture there are other Arabic nations that have grown and adapted to the changing world culture. For example, The United Arab Emirates have embraced international business and tourism, while maintaining the moral code of the religious majority. Leaders of Arab countries face much responsibility in deciding how to meet the changing needs of their citizens.

Firstly, Arabic countries vary in the number of ethnic groups represented in the populations. The United Arab Emirates is a cosmopolitan mix, while Egypt, with the official language still Arabic, is largely made up of just three people groups: Egyptian, Bedouin Arab and Nubian. Besides differences in demographic groupings, Arab homelands vary in the level of conflict that citizens face. For instance, people living in Iraq have lived through a number of wars, while those living in the United Arab Emirates have barely experienced that kind of destruction. Today’s generation is under pressure to resolve the conflicts of the Middle East and to find ways to interact with other cultures, while still cherishing their own individual culture and heritage. Arab women often continue to face discrimination, although some regions allow modern women more cultural freedoms than their elders would have imagined. Many Arabic groups have been responsible for advances in exploration, architecture, science, engineering, mathematics and medicine. For instance, the discovery of latitude and longitude belongs to the Arabs. As well, the first emphasis on group research came from Islamic observatories.

Government of the Arab Cultures

Currently there are 10 different types of governments within the Arab world.

Republic: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
Jamahiriya: Mauritania
Constitutional Emirate: Kuwait
Quasi Emirate/Federal Government: United Arab Emirates
Emirate: Qatar
Parliamentary Democracy: Iraq
Monarchy: Oman, Saudi Arabia
Transitional Government: Somalia
Government in Waiting: Sudan, Western Sahara
Constitutional Monarchy: Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan

The foundation of Arab literature is the Qur’an (Koran), Islam’s holy book. Historically, much writing was influenced by The Qur’an. Influences from Western journalism have played a part in modifying the form of Arabic literature, as has Western fiction and non-fiction. Political and human rights themes are woven into traditional non-figurative styles of art. Music continues to play a major part in culture, often passionate and lively.

The Qur’an had a significant influence on the Arabic language. The language used in the Qur’an is called classical Arabic; modern Arabic has diverged from it slightly. Not only is the Qur’an the first work of any significant length written in the language, it also has a far more complicated structure than earlier literary works with its 114 suras which contain 6,236 ayat. It contains injunctions, narratives, homilies, parables, direct addresses stated to be from God, instructions and even comments on how it is itself to be received and understood.

Resources about the Arab Cultures.

Arabic virtual foreign language classroom
Arab Charter on Human Rights
Arabic Resources
US Department of State country notes
The Arab Culture

Resource by T.Price

I am a mom of 2 boys who loves to spend time with them doing fun things outdoors. In my spare time I have my own things I enjoy doing such as gardening, reading old books, and being a closet history buff.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids