subject: What People Need To Know About Islamic Culture [print this page] What People Need To Know About Islamic Culture
People need to study Islamic culture without being prejudiced one way or another in order to get a full view of what is going on in both Western societies as well as societies across the globe. Arab culture is vastly different and should not be lumped into that of Islam as not all Arabs are Muslims. There are various religions practiced in the Arab world, including Christianity. However, the number of nations in the Arab world that tolerate other religions is dwindling with many allies of the west falling into the hands of extreme Islamic factions.
Islamic culture can easily be confused with Arab culture because it is in the Arab world where Islam began The country that is most dominated by Islam is Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca and Medina, two of the holiest cities in Islam and where many Muslims make a pilgrimage at least once in their lives as stated in the Koran. However, an increasing number of people, even those in Western cultures, are turning towards Islam and converting to this religion. In addition, many of those who lived in the Middle East are now moving to other nations and spreading their theology.
Arab culture was always based on tribal rule. Tribes were often nomadic and ruled within their own tribes, practicing Islam as they saw fit. In some countries, the culture allows for four wives for each man, with an unlimited number of concubines. In other nations, despite being Islamic, the more westernized version of marriage with just husband and wife is the rule. In Western countries, where there are often laws preventing bigamy, men tend to take only one wife.
Despite what is often said to the contrary, Islamic culture is not very cordial to women. They are considered to be second class citizens with few rights. In many Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, children are given to the man in the case of divorce. It can be very difficult for a woman to divorce her husband in many of the Islamic countries, although surprisingly easy for a man to divorce his wife. In countries like Saudi Arabia, women are not permitted to vote, drive a car or even go out by themselves. They cannot leave the country without the permission of a man, be it their husband, father or even brother.
The Arab culture has changed dramatically in recent years. Oil money has made Saudi Arabia a very wealthy nation instead of a nation of nomadic people, although there are still tribes and nomads in this vast land. There are an increasing number of nations that are not only embracing Islam as their religion, but also enacting laws that dictate behavior as they are presented in the Koran.
In addition, Muslim populations are growing in Western countries as well with many Muslims demanding that Muslim culture be espoused in schools as well as in their communities. Those countries that have seen a drastic change in numbers of Muslims in their nation have been the most effected by the culture and how it relates to their every day life.
