Middle EastMiddle East Society and Culture Society and Culture

Where Continents MeetWhere Continents Meet

• The Middle East is The Middle East is not a geographical not a geographical region, like Africa, region, like Africa, Asia, or Europe.Asia, or Europe.

• Geographically, it Geographically, it denotes an area in denotes an area in which Africa, Asia, which Africa, Asia, and Europe and Europe interconnect.interconnect.

Soft and Shifting Soft and Shifting BoundariesBoundaries

• There are no natural There are no natural borders that borders that delineate the delineate the boundaries of the boundaries of the Middle East.Middle East.

• Egypt, Iran, Sudan, Egypt, Iran, Sudan, Turkey, North Africa Turkey, North Africa are disputed parts of are disputed parts of the region.the region.

The Middle EastThe Middle East

• In fact the In fact the boundaries of the boundaries of the Middle East are Middle East are political, and they political, and they keep shifting keep shifting overtime.overtime.

• Islam is the Islam is the common thread that common thread that join Middle Eastern join Middle Eastern Country togetherCountry together

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• IslamIslam• Who are MuslimsWho are Muslims• Concept of GodConcept of God• Islamic Belief and PracticesIslamic Belief and Practices• Attitude towards other ReligionsAttitude towards other Religions

• HistoryHistory• Islamic CivilizationIslamic Civilization• CrusadesCrusades• Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire• ColonialismColonialism

• SocietySociety• Islam and ModernityIslam and Modernity• Middle East CultureMiddle East Culture• WomenWomen

ISLAMISLAM

Islam and MuslimsIslam and Muslims

• The world of Islam is as diverse as the The world of Islam is as diverse as the world of Christianity.world of Christianity.

• Islam is experienced differently across Islam is experienced differently across cultures. In the words of a contemporary cultures. In the words of a contemporary scholar of Islam: scholar of Islam: ““Islam is like a river in Islam is like a river in that it takes its color from the cultural bed that it takes its color from the cultural bed it flows through.it flows through.””

What is ISLAM?What is ISLAM?

Islam is an Arabic word Islam is an Arabic word derived from the word derived from the word peace, which also means peace, which also means submitting to a higher will.submitting to a higher will.

Islam means seeking peace Islam means seeking peace by submitting to the Divine by submitting to the Divine Will.Will.

Originated from Ishmael, Originated from Ishmael, Abraham’s son. Abraham’s son.

Who are the Muslims?Who are the Muslims?

Individuals who completely and Individuals who completely and peacefully submits to the will of peacefully submits to the will of God, believe in the Articles of Faith God, believe in the Articles of Faith and practices the Five Pillars of and practices the Five Pillars of Islam.Islam.

Muslims constitute 1/5 of world Muslims constitute 1/5 of world population, about 1.4 billion, and population, about 1.4 billion, and form the majority in 40 countries.form the majority in 40 countries.

Most Muslims live outside the Most Muslims live outside the Middle East.Middle East.

Who is God in Islam?Who is God in Islam?

Say: He is God, the One ; God, the Say: He is God, the One ; God, the Eternal and Absolute; He begets Eternal and Absolute; He begets

not, nor is He begotten; And there not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.is none like unto Him.

QurQur’’an (112 : 1-4)an (112 : 1-4)

Who is God in Islam?Who is God in Islam?

““God is He, beside whom there is no other God is He, beside whom there is no other god; He knows (all things) both secret and god; He knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.””

““God is He, beside whom there is no other god; God is He, beside whom there is no other god; the the Sovereign,Sovereign, the Holy, the Holy, the Peacethe Peace, the Guardian of Faith, , the Guardian of Faith, the the Preserver of Safety,Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible,the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to God! (High is He) above the the Supreme: Glory to God! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him. He is God, partners they attribute to Him. He is God, the Creator,the Creator, the the Evolver, Evolver, the Form Giver.the Form Giver. To Him belong the Most To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, does celebrate His Praises and Glory: and He is the does celebrate His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.Exalted in Might, the Wise.””

(Qur’an 59: 22-4)

Who is Prophet Who is Prophet Muhammad?Muhammad?

Born in Makkah (Mecca) in Born in Makkah (Mecca) in the year 570 (CE).the year 570 (CE).

Received his first revelation Received his first revelation from God at the age of forty, from God at the age of forty, while engaged in a while engaged in a meditative retreat, through meditative retreat, through Archangel Gabriel (Holy Archangel Gabriel (Holy Spirit).Spirit).

Revelations continued for Revelations continued for twenty-three years, and are twenty-three years, and are recorded in the Qurrecorded in the Qur’’an.an.

QurQur’’anan

The QurThe Qur’’an is the record an is the record of the words of God of the words of God revealed to Prophet revealed to Prophet Muhammad in Arabic Muhammad in Arabic through Archangel through Archangel Gabriel. This revelation Gabriel. This revelation came in phases and came in phases and continued for twenty-three continued for twenty-three years.years.

QurQur’’an is the primary source of an is the primary source of Islamic guidanceIslamic guidance..

SunnahSunnah

Sunnah, the practices, examples and saying Sunnah, the practices, examples and saying of Prophet Muhammad.of Prophet Muhammad.

A major source of Islamic guidance.A major source of Islamic guidance.

Illustrates Islamic faith in practice.Illustrates Islamic faith in practice.

Collected in hundreds of texts known as Collected in hundreds of texts known as ““HadithsHadiths”” (narrations). (narrations).

Articles of FaithArticles of Faith

Belief in the Oneness or Unity of Belief in the Oneness or Unity of the Divine.the Divine.

Belief in Angels created by GodBelief in Angels created by God

Belief in the Revealed Books of Belief in the Revealed Books of God.God.

Belief in the Messengers and Belief in the Messengers and Prophets.Prophets.

Articles of FaithArticles of Faith

Belief in the Day of Judgment.Belief in the Day of Judgment.

Belief in Divine Belief in Divine DispensationDispensation.

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of IslamIslam is built on five pillars, the first of which is a Islam is built on five pillars, the first of which is a statement of faith. The other four are major statement of faith. The other four are major exercises of faithexercises of faith

Declaration of Faith (Shahadah).Declaration of Faith (Shahadah).

Obligatory Charity (Zakah)Obligatory Charity (Zakah)

The Pilgrimage (Hajj)The Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Prayer (Salah)Prayer (Salah)

Fasting (Siyam)Fasting (Siyam)

Hajj

Mecca

Spirit of IslamSpirit of Islam

• O mankind! We created you O mankind! We created you fromfrom a a single (pair) of a male and a female, single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. of God is the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things. well acquainted with all things.

• QurQur’’an (49:13)an (49:13)

The Spirit of IslamThe Spirit of Islam

The leading features of Mohammedanism [Islam] The leading features of Mohammedanism [Islam] involve this—that in actual existence nothing can involve this—that in actual existence nothing can become fixed, but that everything is destined to expand become fixed, but that everything is destined to expand itself in activity and life in boundless amplitude of the itself in activity and life in boundless amplitude of the world, so that the worship of the one remains the only world, so that the worship of the one remains the only bond by which the whole is capable of uniting. In this bond by which the whole is capable of uniting. In this expansion, this active energy, all limits, all national and expansion, this active energy, all limits, all national and cast distinctions vanish, no particular race, no political cast distinctions vanish, no particular race, no political claim of birth or possession is regarded—only man as aclaim of birth or possession is regarded—only man as a believer.believer.

G.W.F. Hegel, Philosophy of History

Respect of Religious Respect of Religious DiversityDiversity

• Muslims, like Christians and Jews, trace their Muslims, like Christians and Jews, trace their religion to Prophet Abraham. Israelites are the religion to Prophet Abraham. Israelites are the descendant of Isaac and Arabs are the descendant of Isaac and Arabs are the descendant of Ishmael.descendant of Ishmael.

• ““Say (O Muslims), We believe in God, and the Say (O Muslims), We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: difference between one and another of them: and we bow to God in submission.and we bow to God in submission.””

(Qur’an 2:136)

Respect of Religious Respect of Religious DiversityDiversity

Salvation: Devotion Not AssociationSalvation: Devotion Not Association

““Those who believe (in the QurThose who believe (in the Qur’’an), those who follow the an), those who follow the Jewish (scripture), the Christians, and the Sabians, anyone Jewish (scripture), the Christians, and the Sabians, anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and works who believes in God and the Last Day, and works righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.grieve.”” (Qur (Qur’’an 2:62)an 2:62)

Search For Common GroundSearch For Common Ground

""Say: O People of the Book! come to common terms Say: O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but as between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with him; that we God; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God."(3:64)other than God."(3:64)

Religious DiversityReligious Diversity

Mention the glory of Spanish Jewry in the days Mention the glory of Spanish Jewry in the days before the Inquisition and what comes before the Inquisition and what comes immediately to mind are the southern cities of immediately to mind are the southern cities of Cordoba and Granada, where giants of Jewish Cordoba and Granada, where giants of Jewish history like Moses Maimonides and Yehuda history like Moses Maimonides and Yehuda Halevi lived and wrote, and where highly Halevi lived and wrote, and where highly literate Jewish communities helped the Muslim literate Jewish communities helped the Muslim leaders of Spain create a glorious civilization at leaders of Spain create a glorious civilization at a time when Christian Europe was slumbering in a time when Christian Europe was slumbering in the Dark Ages. Another city where Jewish life the Dark Ages. Another city where Jewish life flourished before the Inquisition is Toledo, the flourished before the Inquisition is Toledo, the beautiful former capital of Castille, located near beautiful former capital of Castille, located near Madrid in central Spain, which, like Cordoba Madrid in central Spain, which, like Cordoba and Granada, is today much visited by Jewish and Granada, is today much visited by Jewish tourists from around the world. tourists from around the world.

Walter Ruby, Off the Beaten Path in Tarazona, Spain, Jewish Heritage

Islamic CivilizationIslamic Civilization

The Muslims of Spain were the most cultured The Muslims of Spain were the most cultured people of the West. Literature and art became people of the West. Literature and art became their glories, and learning flourished when their glories, and learning flourished when rulers, often men of letters themselves, invited rulers, often men of letters themselves, invited some of the best scholars of the Muslim East to some of the best scholars of the Muslim East to settle in Spain. By the twelfth century scholars settle in Spain. By the twelfth century scholars from northern Europe were flocking to Spain to from northern Europe were flocking to Spain to study, and through them much of the learning study, and through them much of the learning of the Arabs was passed to Christian Europe.of the Arabs was passed to Christian Europe.

T. Walter Wallbank, et. al., T. Walter Wallbank, et. al., Civilization Past and Present.Civilization Past and Present.

HistoryHistory

The Expansion of IslamThe Expansion of Islam

Islamic CivilizationIslamic Civilization

▲ Alhambra Palace, Granada 715

▲ Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 705

Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, built 1602 ▼

Islamic CivilizationIslamic Civilization◄ Cordova University (Cordova 786)

Al Azhar University ► (Cairo

972)

The Blue Mosque(Istanbul 1603)

▼

Social Mobility for AllSocial Mobility for All

Moses Maimonides Moses Maimonides (1135-1204)(1135-1204)The foremost intellectual figure of medieval The foremost intellectual figure of medieval Judaism, was born Moses ben Maimon in Cordoba, Judaism, was born Moses ben Maimon in Cordoba, Spain to an educated, distinguished family. Spain to an educated, distinguished family. Maimonides began his study of medicine in Fez, Maimonides began his study of medicine in Fez, Morocco, and later moved to Cairo, Egypt. Soon Morocco, and later moved to Cairo, Egypt. Soon after their arrival Maimonides' father and brother after their arrival Maimonides' father and brother died, and Maimonides began to practice medicine died, and Maimonides began to practice medicine to support his family. His fame as a physician to support his family. His fame as a physician spread, and he soon became the court physician spread, and he soon became the court physician for Sultan Saladin and his family. Maimonides also for Sultan Saladin and his family. Maimonides also lectured at the local hospital, maintained a private lectured at the local hospital, maintained a private practice, and was a leader in the Jewish practice, and was a leader in the Jewish community.community.

The CrusadesThe Crusades• A series of four A series of four

campaigns between 1096 campaigns between 1096 and 1270 urged by the and 1270 urged by the Pope for recapturing Pope for recapturing Jerusalem.Jerusalem.

• The Crusaders controlled The Crusaders controlled a long strip of land along a long strip of land along the Mediterranean (50 the Mediterranean (50 miles wide and 500 long)miles wide and 500 long)

• The fourth Crusade led to The fourth Crusade led to the sacking of the sacking of Constantinople, and the Constantinople, and the weakening of the weakening of the Byzantine Empire.Byzantine Empire.

The CrusadesThe Crusades

Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire

• Communal politics – Communal politics – The The MilletMillet System. System.

• Limited governmentLimited government• Strong civil society Strong civil society

– civil society – civil society institutions funded institutions funded by foundations by foundations (waqf).(waqf).

• Law enacted by Law enacted by civil society.civil society.

Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire

Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire Dismemberment Dismemberment

• The modernization The modernization of the Ottoman of the Ottoman Empire.Empire.

• Turkification of the Turkification of the Empire.Empire.

• Centralization of Centralization of political authority.political authority.

• Arab revolt and the Arab revolt and the Sykes-Picot Sykes-Picot Agreement 1916.Agreement 1916.

ColonialismColonialism

SOCIETYSOCIETY

Continuity and ChangeContinuity and Change• Middle Eastern society has been in a state of flux Middle Eastern society has been in a state of flux

for over a century, searching for a new direction for over a century, searching for a new direction and identity, and experiencing a great deal of and identity, and experiencing a great deal of tension as rivaling forces compete for its future.tension as rivaling forces compete for its future.

• The most pronounced tension is between The most pronounced tension is between modernity and tradition, that increasingly takes modernity and tradition, that increasingly takes the form of struggle between Islam and the form of struggle between Islam and modernity.modernity.

• Islam is viewed by many Muslims not simply as a Islam is viewed by many Muslims not simply as a religion, but also as a cultural identity and religion, but also as a cultural identity and heritage.heritage.

• While cultures and traditions vary markedly, the While cultures and traditions vary markedly, the following qualities are often shared by M.E. following qualities are often shared by M.E. Culture.Culture.

Middle Eastern CultureMiddle Eastern Culture• Honor (self-respect to self-pride) and Honor (self-respect to self-pride) and

expectation of equal treatment regardless expectation of equal treatment regardless of wealth, position, or rank.of wealth, position, or rank.

• Fierce sense of independence and Fierce sense of independence and resentment of imposed rules or decisions resentment of imposed rules or decisions not sanctioned by social norms and not sanctioned by social norms and customs.customs.

• Strong loyalty to extended family, friends, Strong loyalty to extended family, friends, and locality, and a great expectation of and locality, and a great expectation of solidarity.solidarity.

• Hospitality to guests and visitors.Hospitality to guests and visitors.

Family RoleFamily Role

• Family is often inclusive of cousinsFamily is often inclusive of cousins• Family loyalty and obligation is Family loyalty and obligation is

paramountparamount• Family is seen as a personFamily is seen as a person’’s ultimate s ultimate

refuge and support systemrefuge and support system• Children are taught profound respect for Children are taught profound respect for

adultsadults

Men and WomenMen and Women• The public display of intimacy between men The public display of intimacy between men

and women is considered offensive.and women is considered offensive.• This code also applies to husbands and This code also applies to husbands and

wives wives • The maintenance of family honor is one of The maintenance of family honor is one of

the highest values.the highest values.• In Middle Eastern cultures, promiscuous In Middle Eastern cultures, promiscuous

behavior can be more damaging to family behavior can be more damaging to family honor.honor.

• Most Middle Easterners still prefer arranged Most Middle Easterners still prefer arranged marriage. The family always plays a major marriage. The family always plays a major role in the decision of any member to wed.role in the decision of any member to wed.

Islam and Islam and ModernityModernity

• The Shock of ModernityThe Shock of Modernity

– Colonialism and the Loss of independenceColonialism and the Loss of independence– Modern State and the Loss of local autonomy and Modern State and the Loss of local autonomy and

controlcontrol– Westernization and the Loss of TraditionWesternization and the Loss of Tradition– Fragmentation and the Loss of UnityFragmentation and the Loss of Unity

• Islamic ReassertionIslamic Reassertion

– Rejection: Radical IslamRejection: Radical Islam– Reconciliation: Reform IslamReconciliation: Reform Islam– Dualism: Traditional IslamDualism: Traditional Islam

ModernizationModernization

• Islam was dismissed by the 1950s as Islam was dismissed by the 1950s as Pre-Modern and obsolete:Pre-Modern and obsolete:

Whether form East or from West, Whether form East or from West, modernization poses the same basic modernization poses the same basic challenge—the infusion of challenge—the infusion of ““a a rationalist and positivist spiritrationalist and positivist spirit”” against which scholars seem agreed, against which scholars seem agreed, ““Islam is absolutely defenseless.Islam is absolutely defenseless.””

Daniel Lerner, Daniel Lerner, The Passing of Traditional SocietyThe Passing of Traditional Society

Traditional City Traditional City

Narrow Allies, Plain External Design

Traditional CityTraditional City

• PrivacyPrivacy• Open space is located within the traditional house.Open space is located within the traditional house.• All Houses look alike form outside – no decoration.All Houses look alike form outside – no decoration.• Court yard is located inside the house.Court yard is located inside the house.

Traditional CityTraditional City

▲ Umayyad Mosque built 705-715 AD.

◄ Suq (Shopping Mall) Al-Hamiddiyyah.

Modern CityModern City

Modern Dubai Modern Cairo

• Multi-Story apartment buildings is the new residential pattern.

Middle Eastern WomenMiddle Eastern Women

Middle Eastern WomenMiddle Eastern Women

Status of WomenStatus of Women

• Statements on womenStatements on women’’s status vary in applicability s status vary in applicability depending on the country involved. For instance, depending on the country involved. For instance, in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, educated women have been very active at all educated women have been very active at all levels of society.levels of society.

• In the Persian Gulf States, most women do not In the Persian Gulf States, most women do not work. Those who do, work only in all-female work. Those who do, work only in all-female environments such as schools and banks for environments such as schools and banks for women, except those in the medical professionwomen, except those in the medical profession

• Traditionally-oriented men and women donTraditionally-oriented men and women don’’t see t see prevailing customs as restrictions-rather as prevailing customs as restrictions-rather as protectionsprotections

Women Social Women Social ParticipationParticipation

• Traditional Muslim societies are patriarchic.Traditional Muslim societies are patriarchic.

• Modern Influence and Muslim feminismModern Influence and Muslim feminism

• Islamic Influence and Revisiting Islamic Sources:Islamic Influence and Revisiting Islamic Sources:

Believing men and women are the guardian and Believing men and women are the guardian and protector of one another, they both enjoin the protector of one another, they both enjoin the good and prohibit evil, establish prayers, give for good and prohibit evil, establish prayers, give for charity, and obey God and His Messenger.charity, and obey God and His Messenger.

(Qura(Qura’’n 9: 71 )n 9: 71 )

Politicization of HijabPoliticization of Hijab

• women attire (hijab) have been frequently women attire (hijab) have been frequently viewed via a political lens.viewed via a political lens.

• Kemal Attaturk prohibited Islamic outfit.Kemal Attaturk prohibited Islamic outfit.• Syrian government placed ban on the hijab Syrian government placed ban on the hijab

in the 1980s.in the 1980s.• Turkey and Tunisia persecutes women who Turkey and Tunisia persecutes women who

wear hijab since early 1990s.wear hijab since early 1990s.• Iran and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce Iran and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce

hijab.hijab.• France outlawed hijab in late 2003.France outlawed hijab in late 2003.