Keeping with an old traditional belief rooted in our Arab culture, my parents believe that one embodies the name they are given. I was born only 4 years after they left our country of Palestine, a year when the country was just coming out of the first Intifada, or uprising. They fittingly named me Salam, the literal translation of peace in Arabic, but more deeply a peace that is just, full of harmlessness and safety, void of evil and from faults, a peace that is comforting. Sitting in the doctor’s office, reflecting upon the hand that life had dealt me over the past year, I felt no sense of the word peace, and I definitely did not embody salam. Hands in my lap, I stared down at my feet as I uncomfortably shuffled around on the doctor’s chair that was covered in rough parchment-like paper. I glanced up at the inside of my elbow, a mesmerizing blend of green and purple, tender with the freshness of a needle prick from just days before, where I had watched tentatively as my velvety red blood drained out of me and filled up 9 testing tubes. I checked my phone; 30 minutes ago I had been told just 15 more minutes. Yet, here I was, still alone in the too-brightly-lit room, all by myself, waiting. I lifted my clammy hands from my lap and suddenly the anxiousness I had been trying to drown in the artificial sea of cool, calm, and collectedness came crashing down on me. The truth is, I didn’t know if I could handle anymore. The year had already cast a relentless storm cloud over
The main characters in “Araby” by James Joyce and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien are both at war with fantasy and reality. Both of these characters are ones motivated by their infatuation with woman they hardly know but believe that they love them. Both these stories tell us that their fantasizing and objectification of these women are used to cover up their true feelings. In return this offers the main characters an escape from reality.
Arab Americans are defined primarily of their religious identity and they reside in all 50 states. The first generation of immigrants from the Middle East dates back to late 1800s. The majority of immigrants’ population came from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. Religion plays an important role in the Arab society and most of their way of life is not necessary because of their religion. Like many other immigrants, the reason these immigrants migrated to the United States was to escape the religious persecution, an opportunity to build a better life. Majority of how Arabs interact and the way their culture is has to do with the Koran and it is one of the foundations of Islamic law. In the Arab American culture, family is an important aspect and everyone plays their respective role. Fathers are the head of the households and are expected to provide for his wife and children. The women has restrictive education and they help support the family by caring for the house. Kids take on a role are taught by their parents depending on their gender. Boys are most likely to follow the footsteps of the father to prepare to care for his own family one day. The girls learn the basics of running a household. It is common for the children to live with their parents until they marry or live with them to care for them as they age and can no longer care for themselves. The Arab culture also value respecting the elders and they are often the decision makers in the family. The family
Amongst the turbid and dysfunction that is the Middle East lies the nation of Egypt. Egypt, a major country of the Middle East, is habitually considered stereotypical of Middle Eastern civilization, but further research guides one to the conclusion that Egypt is far from a generic Middle Eastern country. Egypt has a strong tradition of nationalism that has been formed during its history, giving it a national unity that is often non-existent in other Middle Eastern nations (1). This, as well as other advantages that Egypt has gained during its past, has allowed it to rise above the problems plaguing the rest of the Middle East and to form basically its
Looking back on the day while we were in the doctor’s office almost 1 hour before arriving at the truck stop, Dr. Steven Fowler pricked my finger in one of the many rooms located in the back. I jumped because I wasn’t expecting that little machine to prick my skin like a thorn that has just entered into the top layer of my finger. The small droplet of blood on my forefinger was dark red in color and was the most perfect blob shape I had ever seen. They put a different electronic-like machine on
cultures and their behavior styles; in order for the culture to accept any type of assistance medical, financial, and education and assist in breaking barriers for counseling with this culture. Arab is one of the well-known culture around the world with a strong connection with Islam. They believe in one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his prophet. In addition, they also believe in Jewish and Christian tradition. Furthermore Arabs are not all Muslim, not are all Muslims Arab. Fewer 20% of Muslims worldwide are Arabs (Hasnain, Shaikh, & Shanawani 2008). There are 22 countries that Arabs are currently living in United States that share common terms of religion, language, and culture; however they vary politically, socially, and economically,
It is noted that every Middle Eastern Country are publicly fascinated of the Dabke dance. Each of the Middle Eastern nation claims they are the best at dancing Dabke. They also claim to have to have invented the dance (Hussein, 2016). However, there is the truth and reality behind the dance. Dabke is also referred to as Dabka or even Dabkeh. It is those names that the Middle Eastern people refer to the actual dance that is normally used by different dialect. The dance is universal irrespective of someone’s roots and cultural background. Whether one comes from Iraq, Lebanon, or even Palestine, the dance is still the same. The term Dabka basically means the act of stomping (Haugbolle, 2010). The dance found its inception back in the early 1990s before the segmentation of the Middle East took place. The Middle East was segmented through the colonization process. The colonies were either the French or the British. The Middle East was a single peaceful land that had a common Dabke art. The Dabke art was widely used in celebrations, joyful events, at the weddings, at the graduation, and also in birthdays. Therefore, Dabke was well known to be a tradition that was shared. Meaning the tradition was not owned by anybody and it originated in the Middle East intended for everyone to celebrate.
“Hey there” John looked over his shoulder at the smiling face of his new coworker. John greeted him as hallway smiled back not wanting to talk since he had woken up at 5:00am that morning. He quickly dashed over to his office and switched on his computer. He thought about the nine years of intensive study that he had to go through. The loud ringing of his pager interrupted his thoughts. He answered a few nurses difficult questions about what medicines to prescribe what to do with a few difficult patients. He placed his phone down a little nervous wondering if he had just killed someone by prescribing the wrong medicine. He grabbed his clipboard, jacket and stethoscope and went to go meet his first patient. “Mrs. Anderson, how are
Culture is a very significant attribute of human experience determining to a large extend the way people relate with others within their environment. According to Mahfouz (2011), culture is also important not just for managing the way understand and relate with each other but also as a form of identification giving people a sense of belonging and identity. The human race is highly cultured with many different people preferring to lead their lives based on traditions defined within their cultures and in order to understand human behavior and relationship, it is important to ensure that this issue is well understood and appreciated. This brief paper discusses the effect that culture has on how people relate with each other and how different cultures provide different avenues of expression that make life easier or harder for those that relate with them. I will use my personal experience of my Arabic culture to provide insights about the issues that culture influences in human relations.
It seems Muslims in America have been misunderstood for their unique culture and religion. Recent events around the world have painted Muslims to be something they are far from. Before dating my boyfriend I knew nothing of the Islamic religion and culture and after spending time with him and his family I have learned a lot about the religion and culture. I learned that despite the media controversy about Muslims they are kind, respectful, and God fearing individuals. The more I learn about the culture and religion the more I see that even though they may seem far different from one another the two do share some of the same qualities and norms. However there are many differences between the two and have caused unnecessary boundaries and even
James Joyce’s short story Araby delves into the life of a young adolescent who lives on North Richmond Street in Dublin, Ireland. Narrated in the boys’ perspective, he recounts memories of playing with friends and of the priest who died in the house before his family moved in. With unrestrained enthusiasm, the boy expresses a confused infatuation with the sister of his friend Mangan. She constantly roams his thoughts and fantasies although he only ever catches glimpses of her. One evening she speaks to him, confiding that she is unable to visit Araby, a bazaar. Stunned by the sudden conversation, the boy promises he will go and bring her back a small memento. In anticipation, the boy launches into a period of restless waiting and distraction
The region of the Middle East and its inhabitants have always been a wonder to the Europeans, dating back to the years before the advent of Islam and the years following the Arab conquest. Today, the Islamic world spreads from the corners of the Philippines to the far edges of Spain and Central Africa. Various cultures have adopted the Islamic faith, and this blending of many different cultures has strengthened the universal Islamic culture. The religion of Islam has provided a new meaning to the lives of many people around the world. In the Islamic world, the religion defines and enriches culture and as a result the culture gives meaning to the individual. Islam is not only a religion, it is in its own way a culture. It may be this very
In Araby, by James Joyce, the story is told by a young boy who has his heart on a girl. The boy’s name is never mentioned in the story and neither is the girls’. Since the narrator is the young boy, his name is never mentioned. In the story, the girl is only mentioned as Mangan’s sister. The point of view, plot, and setting all help make up this story. The narrator in this story is the young boy and he tells the story through his point of view.
Muslim culture generally reflects the traditions and customs of Muslims that they adopt for a perfect and respectable life in the society according to the lessons of Quran. Muslim culture is a giant combination of diverse cultures, That’s because Muslims live in various countries all over the world. Most of the practices are common faiths and guidance for all Muslims no matter what country or even content they reside in.. These basic faiths and belives are based on the teachings of Islam. The Muslim culture is a subject of debate for many people who lives in different parts of the world and belong to diverse communities. Muslim culture represents the unification of brotherhood where all Muslims are bound to
Arab is not a race, but is a group of individuals that are united by their culture and history (ADC, 2014). There are many different variations commonly based on a particular individual’s country of origin such as Arab Americans. Other variations are based on their social class, the level of their education, if they live urbanely or rurally, or the time they have spent in the United States (Lipson & Dubble, 2007). Most Arabs also practice Islamic religion and are Muslim. When working with an Arab or Muslim client, nurses should ask what the client wishes to be referred to so as not to offend them in any way (Lipson & Dubble, 2007).
What is your view on the Islamic religion and culture? Did you know they are the fastest growing religion in the world today, with eighty-percent now developing outside the Arab world(Belt, Don) Today’s generation does not show much interest or knowledge of their own religion; let alone the Islamic people. Most people only expose themselves to information that matches their own opinions and beliefs. Instead of learning and exploring new things about the world they stick to what they know because it is easier and comfortable for them. The Islamic people live in different culture, have different beliefs, and live in a part of the globe that has turmoil in the world surrounding the Middle East and the Islamic faith; however it is