Islamic Cultures

21 Apr '16

The Culture of Turkey

Publicado por Nosheen Z en Turkey Culture

Turkey Cultural Overview

Turkey is a secular, constitutional republic established in 1923, following the fall of Ottoman Empire after World War I. In spite of its close relations with the east, Turkey exhibits a great degree of western influence. 6 percent of the world’s Muslim population lives in Turkey. Though 99 percent of Turkish population is Islamic, the constitution has proclaimed Turkey as a secular state. The people are given complete freedom to choose their religious beliefs. However, Islam exerts a great influence over the culture and life at Turkey. A moderate sort of Sunni Islam remains the unofficial religion of the state. The state appoints Imams to oversee the activities of mosques and Koran schools.

Turkish Languages

The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.

Islamic Clothing of Turkey

Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.

Turkish Foods

A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.

Turkish Location

The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.

Turkish Languages

The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.

Islamic Clothing of Turkey

Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.

Turkish Foods

A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.

Turkish Location

The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.

21 Apr '16

The Culture of Oman

Publicado por Nosheen Z en Oman Culture

Oman Cultural Overview

Oman is the easternmost of the Arab countries. The majority of its people are Arabs with sizable minorities of Baloch and Swahili communities, besides foreign workers. The culture of Oman is deeply rooted in Islam. In the seventh century AD, Abdullah ibn Ibadh founded a unique form of Islam called Ibadhism. This has a large following in Oman apart from a good number of Shia and Sunni Muslims. Omanis are highly tolerant towards all forms of Islam as well as other religions. Omanis strictly observe Islam especially during Ramadan. According to the tenets of Islam, religious endowments and taxes like awqaf and zakat are collected from the public and used for charity and religious purposes.

Arabic Language

Arabic is the official language of the land, predominantly used for communication. However, one can also see many people speaking Bathari, Baloochi or Swahili because of their tribal and historical links with other regions. The government has adopted English as the second language. Almost all signs in the country are written both in Arabic and English.

Islamic Clothing of Oman

The national dress of Omani men is called dishdasha, a simple collarless gown to the length of the ankle with long sleeves. Mostly, the color of this costume is white, though one might see other variations too. Furakha is a tassel sewn into the neckline of this dress and dipped in perfume. A plain piece of cloth is worn from waist below the dishdasha covering the body. Omanis also wear different types of headdresses like muzzar. Omanis take great pride in wearing a special form of dagger called Khanjar, which is supported on waistbands or belts. Once worn for self-defense, khanjar has now become a symbol of fashion and prestige. Some men carry an ornamental stick called assa. Most Omani men wear sandals on their feet.

The costume of Omani women is colorful and ornate and reflects regional variations. The main component of a woman’s costume is an outfit worn over the trousers called sirwal and the headdress called lihaf. The elaborate embroidery on women costumes can take up to two months to complete. Omani women wear elaborate gold and silver jewelry around the head, neck, wrists, ankles, fingers and toes. Most women wear sandals or western type fashion shoes. Many women paint their hands and feet with henna, especially before weddings, holidays and festivals.

Omani Foods

Cuisines of Oman represent a great variety. They are highly delicious and unique from other Arab countries. Kahwa is a bitter drink like coffee flavored with cardamom. This is often served with Lokhemat, a deep-fried ball of flour and yeast spiced with dry fruits and nuts. Cooked rice, meat, fish and bread are the main ingredients of most Omani dishes like maqbous and aursia. Other Omani specials are buttermilk drinks, salads and soups. Shuva is a popular festive meal requiring an elaborate preparation, often by the whole village community. To make this, a whole cow is roasted up for two days in a special oven placed in a pit dug in the ground. The meat becomes extremely tender and is then spiced elaborately.

Omani Social Life

With a great amount of oil revenue, Oman has modernized itself with a sound infra structure, roads, communication systems, hospitals and places of tourist attraction. Women are increasingly participating in national activities. However, western influences are quite restricted in the nation as an attempt to safeguard the interests of religion and tradition.

21 Apr '16

The Culture of United Arab Emirates

Publicado por Nosheen Z en United Arab Emirates Culture

United Arab Emirates Culture Overview

The national lifestyle of UAE is strictly conditioned by strong affiliation to Islamic tradition. However, the country is highly tolerant towards expatriates who are given a great degree of religious freedom. The government spares no efforts to safeguard the religious and traditional interests of the country. In the country, one hears the regular prayer calls five times a day and sees all the people sincerely observe the religion.

Nearly all citizens of UAE are Muslims and Islam is the official religion of the land. Around 85 percent of the citizens are Sunnis while the rest belong to the Shi’a sect. Arab Emirs are the natives of UAE, each of their tribes dominating an Emirate. Non-native Asians constitute about half of the population of UAE. Among the foreign population, over 55 percent are Muslims, 25 percent are Hindus and around 10 percent are Christians.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE housing 40 percent of the country’s population. However, Dubai is the largest city of UAE and the center of trade and financial activities. Since 1960s, the population of UAE has multiplied greatly due to the influx of oil workers from other counties. A great portion of the population enjoys a highly comfortable life in air-conditioned houses, apartments or villas, while a small rural population lives in moderate traditional houses.

United Arab Emirates Languages

The official language of UAE is Arabic. Also, one sees English, Hindi, Urdu and Persian widely spoken in the country. The dressing style of UAE reflects a blend of modern and traditional influences. Most of the Emirs wear dishdasha, a white, loose-fitting garment suitable to hot weather. Most women wear the long abaya, a long black robe completely covering their normal clothes. The older women wear a facemask called burka, while the younger, educated women are increasingly abandoning it.

United Arab Emirates Foods

Countries like Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia and Afghanistan have influenced the culinary tradition of UAE. The most popular dish of the country is called shawarma, which is a hot sandwich with lamb or chicken served in pita bread with vegetables. Suiting the hot weather, one sees a variety of juices from mango, pineapple, banana, or mixed cocktail extensively consumed throughout the country.

United Arab Emirates Islamic Clothing / Muslim Clothing

UAE's Clothing follows the traditional Islamic Clothing and Muslim Clothing attire worn in other Arab countries that includes the abaya, jilbab, hijab, etc.

United Arab Emirates Sports

The most popular national sports are falconry, camel racing and soccer.

United Arab Emirates National Social Life

Though there are disparities in the standard of life, poverty is hardly found in UAE. Within a short span of around fifty years, the towns and cities of the country have equipped themselves with all modern facilities comparable with the best of any advanced nation. Though the religion of Islam and the heritage of traditional society form the basis of a stable and conservative social structure, one sees a predominantly tolerant and cosmopolitan atmosphere in UAE. This fact is attested by the religious freedom given to the expatriates and the social freedom given to young women of the country to expose themselves to the advancements of education and science.