21st Century Reviewer

Arabic Tradition
Literature

By most definitions, "Arab countries"

are 22 countries whose citizens'
primary language is Arabic. As of mid 2002, is located in one of two general
global regions: Africa, particularly in
the north, or Asia's Arabian Peninsula.
Collectively, these regions are
commonly referred to as the Arab
world, Arab nations, Arab states, or
the Arab homeland.

These 22 countries in the Middle

East and North Africa are:
Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros
Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco,
Mauritania, Oman, Palestine,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,
Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United
Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

CLOTHING OF
ARAB MEN
‫ مالبس‬- Malabis
• THOBE (DISHDASHA /KANDOURAH ) - a
long robe worn by men, usually in color white,
but may also be found in other colors,
especially in winter.
• KEFFIYEH OR SHEMAGH - the traditional
square cotton scarf, which they put in their
head.
• AGAL - strong cord holding the keffiyeh or
shemagh in place.
• ABAYAS - a loose-fitting dress comfortable
outfit worn above the main outfit
• HIJAB - a headscarf worn over the head by
Muslim women. Usually, they are worn around
the head covering the neck and the chest as
well.
• KAFTANS - long and fluid in design made
to cover most of your body
CLOTHING OF ARAB WOMEN
• TUNICS - usually knee-length and always
worn with matching trousers.
• NIQABS - a veil that cannot just cover the
face but can also cover hair, neck, and
shoulders
• KHIMAR - headband type apparel to cover
the head, but today, khimar can be as long as
your elbows covering your head, hair, neck,
shoulders, and chest
Did you know? ‫أمور تافهة‬
*Arab is not a race
*Honour is important
*Not all Arabs are Muslims
*Relationships first, business second
*Arab love bling
*Body language has meaning
*Tea and coffee are key
*Time is not of the essence
ARABIC CUSTOM AND TRADITION

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Arab culture and the Islamic faith are
deeply intertwined. While Islam is the
predominant religion, other religious
groups are accepted and treated with
respect.
PIETY ( ‫تقوى‬taqwaa) - according to Islam, it is the most
admirable characteristic someone can
have
Mosque ‫ مسجد‬masjid -considered not only a place of prayer but rather the center of all Islamic life; the
vehicle by which Muslims engage in the affairs of the world, both as individuals and as communities.
SOME OF THE RULES
INCLUDE:
- never walking in front of someone praying
- prohibition of picture or video of people in the mosque
- prohibition of men wearing shorts & women wearing sleeveless
Family is Important ‫ األسرة‬al'usra – Children are considered as “jewels” and that men and women, as
well as male and female children have different and distinct roles.
Arabic Tradition
- It is not polite to say “No”. The term “As God wills it” is a nicer way to say “No.”
- It is always best to say “Yes.” Keep in mind that a “Yes” can also mean “Maybe.”
YES ‫نعم‬naeam
NO ‫رقم‬raqm
Arab Thinking
- Arabs are more likely to have
subjective perceptions.
- To protect loss of face, an Arab will
rarely admit to a mistake.
- Fatalism based on religious beliefs is
common.
- Honor is more important than facts.
- Arabs believe in persons, not in
institutions.
- Emotions connote a sincere concern
for the outcome of the decision.
GREETING GESTURES
- Handshakes are common greetings and farewells.
- Long handshakes, grasped elbows, and walking hand in hand by two males is common place in
the Arab world.
- Hugging only occurs between close friends.
- Contact between members of the opposite sex in public is considered out of bounds
- Only use the right hand to eat, touch and present gifts.
HOSPITALITY VISITS
 Hospitality, friendliness, and generosity to strangers is an expression of sacred duties.
 When sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of or sitting up higher than others.
 Don’t lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets.
 Double meanings are common in conversations.
 Do not talk loudly.
 The meal is usually at the conclusion to an event.
 Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on one’s plate.
 Take off your shoes at the entrance and leave them there before going in.
Arabic Language
ARABIC
- the national language–mother tongue–of North Africa and all the Arab countries of the Middle East.
- has twenty-eight letters (additional letters have been added to serve the needs of non-Arabic
languages that use the Arabic script, such as those of Iran and Pakistan), and each of the letters may
have up to four different forms.
- Unlike other alphabets, Arabic alphabets are written from right to left.
- KUFIC is defined as a highly angular form of the Arabic alphabet originally used in early copies of the
Qur'an.
- NASKHĪ script is a cursive style developed from the earliest everyday business scripts.
Arabic Literature – Arabic literature is the prose and poetry written in the Arabic language by authors.
Adab, the Arabic word for literature, derives from the word "etiquette," and it connotes culture,
refinement, and politeness.
- The Pioneer Of Modern Arabic Literature Aleppine writer, Qustaki al-Himsi, (1858–1941) is
credited with having founded modern Arabic literary criticism, with one of his works, The
researcher's source in the science of criticism.
Naguib Mahfouz (Najīb Maḥfūẓ) – father of Arabic Literature
- a well-known Egyptian novelist, won the Nobel Prize in 1988 for Arabic literature; works are
considered to be a revolution in the world of literary works.
Classics of Arabic Literature
- The Life and Works of Jahiz by Charles Pellat & Jahiz
- The Meadows of Gold. by Masudi
- The Arabian Nights or Tales of 1001 Nights
- The Muqaddimah. by Ibn Khaldun
Theme ‫ سمة‬sima – The first significant Arabic literature was produced during the Medieval Golden Age
of lyricpoetry, from the 4th to the 7th century. The poems are strongly personal qasida, or odes, often
very short, with some longer than 100 lines. They treat the life of the tribe and themes of love, fighting,
courage, and the chase.
Quran - Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam; believed to be a revelation from God;
organized in 114 chapters, which consist of verses.
HISTORY
 Emerged in the 5th century with only fragments of the written language appearing before then.
 widely regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language
Most Famous Arabic Literature
The Prophet Mohammad - disseminated the Koran in a piecemeal and gradual manner from AD610 to
632, the year in which he passed away. The evidence indicates that he recited the text and scribes wrote
down what they heard.

Importance
Arabic literature courses also seek to introduce new vocabulary and literary styles that students can use
in daily communication, giving them access to the enormous depth of the Arabic language – from the
roots of Classical Arabic all the way to the Modern Standard Arabic used across the world today.