Assignment 1

Comparing Arab culture to American culture

1st value: Modesty- Muslim women are famous for their headscarves and long dresses. Muslim women wear the hijab to maintain modesty and privacy from unrelated males. Western society views the hijab as oppresive. How we dress and cover is different compared to American/western culture where they are more free in their clothing choice and revealing or tighter clothing is a trend. 

Comparing Arab culture to the religion of Islam

2nd value: Reputation-  Arab culture values honor and reputation, so does American, but Islam cares about rights and justice. The arab culture focuses alot on what people think about you, its alot more sexist, Arab culture idolizes virginity as purity, sometimes excluding girls from marriages white Islam values a womens faith. Because of Islam we can drive, go to school, working, and living our life. Islam is the gift here that gives us power. 

3rd value: Interest- In islam interest is forbidden because, a muslim is not allowed to benefit from lending money or recieving money from someone.This means that earning interest is not allowed- whether you are an individual or bank. Western economy is heavily based on interest in business, making the richer poorer and poorer. 

4th value: Liquor- Liquor in Islam is prohibited because its harmful to mankind, he prohibits men from praying while they are drunk, and forbid the muslims from dealing with intoxicants in any way. After drinking alcohol, the mind is not steady. The mind becomes blurry and a person cannot think clearly. This may cause the person to commit other sins without realizing it. Liquor in the western world is accessible and very normal.

Modesty for women in Islam is such a strong and important characteristic that is an extremely important religious covering that Muslim women wears to cover her head and neck, or head neck and the rest of her body, sometimes covering everything. One of the common head coverings we are familiar with are Hijabs. Many non-muslim individuals have questioned or judged these types of head coverings and view it as a negative meaning.  Boris Johnson, who is UK’s Prime Minister, criticized and made a statement that made him look Islamophobic back in 2018, he made the comment, “look like letter boxes” and comparing them to “bank robbers” (BBC News).  This statement caused him to be removed from the Conservative party back then and he was forced to apologize for his remarks.  But their value to hold their modesty and their religious beliefs to choose to wear however they choose, is a strong value Muslim woman hold dear.

Fasting is a religious sacrifice that Muslims practice during Ramadan, they fast during the day and break the fast at sunset.  Ramadan starts with the new moon on the 9th month of the year, following the lunar calendar, which is 28 days.  For Christians, fasting happens during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter.  Many abstain from eating foods of their choosing to emulate the time Christ spent during the Judean Desert.  For Muslims, they fast daily fast is more about purification and penitence.  Ramadan is a time for atonement and charity, being one of the 5 pillars of Islam, a time to share one’s bounty with those less privileged (LA Times).

Jinn was an important topic for us to read about in this section, that I felt we needed to cover, since its importance is mentioned in verses of the Quran.  An article posted March 23, 2020 by Iran in Depth, informs of Iran’s Supreme Leader making claims of the enemy “Coronavirus”, he states, “We have jinn and human enemies that help each other.  The Intelligence services and many countries work together against us”.  He recounts Islamic history and enemies of the prophet who gather to conspire, and that the greatest most evil enemy of the Islamic Republic, is the great Satan known as America.  The supernatural creatures mentioned in the Quran are what he is referring to, that the concept exists. 

Salat or prayer, one of the five pillars of Islam is practiced very meticulous and with such pride.  Practiced before sunrise, around noon, late afternoon, after sunset, and in the late evening.  The preparation consists of ritual cleansing before praying, prayers start facing the direction toward their sacred structure of worship. During salat, Muslims recite prayers and complete movements in a series of cycles called rak’a.  It is a ritual conducted with reverence and respect (Posture of a prayer).  Muslim is the only religion that prays five times a day.