Arab Culture
Understanding the Arab mind and cultural mentality is a contentious issue and one that has been debated from a number of points-of-view. Many modern scholars and researchers claim that much of the analysis of Arab culture is biased towards a Eurocentric and Western perspective. Critics claim that generalized statements of the constitution and characteristics of the Arab mind are often denigrating and racist in their views of the differences in cultural norms. The subject is fraught with political and social sensitivity and many critics compare modern analyses of Arab culture to colonial discourse of Africa in the past, where the "other " or the different culture is seen as essentially inferior. This is even the case, claim some critics, when the analysis of Arab culture is seemingly well intentioned.
The difficulty in understanding another culture without bias and prejudice is one of the central aspects and problematics in research and international relationships mentioned by modern scholars. This is a particularly important aspect when it comes to the Middle East and the present state of political and cultural sensitivity that exists in the world. Scholars also refer to the many culturally biased views of the Arab culture which has in fact exacerbated hostilities and diplomatic problems in the Middle East. An example of one extreme is given by the well respected Middle Eastern expert and Professor of History at the University of Michigan, Juan Cole. The following extract from his commentary shows an obviously biased and denigrating view of the Arab culture.
The Arab mentality is made of 'a sense of being a victim', 'pathological anti-Semitism', and 'a tendency to live in a world of illusions', said Prof. Rafi Israeli, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Hebrew University, on the witness stand Wednesday, adding that the Arabs neglect sanitation in their communities. "Most of the Arab villages are dirtier, physically - it's a fact."
(Cole, J. 2004)
Perceptions and views like these are obviously damaging to cultural and social relationships. They can also be seen as provocative and may in fact motivate and increase hostilities and tension, as well as acts of terrorism. Of course bias and misrepresentation and interpretation also exist for the Arab side in many cases. The following extract is an example of a biased view of Israel. "I was taught that the Jews were evil; Israel was the devil, and the only time we will have peace in the Middle East is when we kill all the Jews or drive them into the sea ... " (Nyquist, J.R.)
The point being made in this paper is that all assumptions and generalization about any culture and particularly about the Arab culture in these politically sensitive times are dangerous in that they suggest a difference and an otherness which is the essence and root of perceived bias and discrimination.
2. The Arab Mind by Rapheal Patai
The above comments are particularly applicable to the well -- known work on Arab culture by Raphael Patai, entitled Arab Mind. The book has been seen in some quarters as one of the definitive works on the subject, but has also been harshly criticized as being biased and overly generalized from the point-of-view of other sectors of the academic and research community.
The introduction to the book was written by Colonel Norvell DeAtkine, director of Middle East Studies at the JFK Special Warfare Centre and School at Fort Bragg, who specializes in terrorism and urban warfare. He outlines the laudable intentions of the book as follows:
To begin a process of understanding the seemingly irrational hatred that motivated the World Trade Center attackers, one must understand the social and cultural environment in which they lived and the modal personality traits that make them susceptible to engaging in terrorist actions. This book does a great deal to further than understanding. In fact it is essential reading. (Atkine, N.B. 2004 p.49)
Raphael Patai's seminal work, The Arab Mind, was published in 1973. The work discusses the upbringing of a young Arab boy and girl. It also covers areas such as the Arab concern with honor and courage, as well as what the book refers to as patterns of extreme behavior within the culture. Central to the discussion in the book is the analysis and attempt to understand the hostile attitude towards the West, which is described as being "ambivalent." There is also a large section which has been devoted to sexual mores and norms in the society. Another section deals with language and linguistic issues from a Western viewpoint. Arab nationalism and Western influences are also explored in the work.
Patais' work has had various criteria receptions. When...
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