Did you know?

Turkish Coffee, qahwah

Did you know that the first coffee shop was opened in by an Ottoman Ibrahim Pecevi in Istanbul in the year 1555. There were many storing involving the introduction of coffee in Istanbul in the late 1500’s, however, there were no records of them.  The coffeehouses spread into Mecca (city in Saudi Arabia), Damascus (city in Syria), and Cairo (city in Egypt). When these coffee shops first opened, they were used as places from political gatherings where people would criticize the government in all freedom. The people would also play checkers and chess. Sometime people would be talking in small groups and sometimes there talking in one entire group with a preacher or storyteller. Coffee shops, also known as Café, were adopted by English-speaking countries in the late 1900’s. Europeans were introduced to the coffee bean through Turkey, whom got it from the Arabs. Arabs called the coffee qahwa, which was later used in Turkey. Nowadays, coffee shops are mostly populated with men. Men gather there to drink coffee, tea, and other drinks. Men go there to relax, see some friends, hear the news, watch football (soccer) games, watch TV, and play board games. Hookah, also known as shisha, is also served as well. 

Sources:

Turkish coffee. (2013, April 30). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_coffee

Middle Eastern Music

This is a video from the Palestinian Culture Night hosted by the organization SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) at UT Dallas. This video shows a form of Middle Eastern music using the instrument called Tablah, which is a one-headed hand drum. I apologize for the text on the video, it was trial version of a converter. Enjoy!

Woman In The Middle East

Middle Eastern women are mistaken to be oppressed in the view of the western world. In defense to the outsider’s views it does seem that way with the way that the women dress, but when you look closely and spend time with Middle Easterners you will realize and see how women are not only respected but also adored by her family. A woman is seen as a jewel in the eyes of the men in the family. In the Middle East 92% of the women there are Muslims. Islam came to the Arab world in the year 610 AD which is more than 1400 years ago. Islam was the first religion in history to give women her rights that was achieved 1300 years before the western world passed any women's rights laws. A Muslim Arab woman’s duties are not just a house wife that cooks and cleans; she is encouraged to be educated and to be in the work force if she wishes. There is no Islamic law that prohibits women from working, but she needs to make sure she has fulfilled and managed her duties as a wife/mother. Also if a woman works, she is not obliged to spend a penny on her family; that is the responsibility of her husband, everything she earns is for her. The women are financially secure from engagement to marriage and also after divorce from her husband. Islam is not only a religion, it is also a way of life that Muslims follow, and because of this I personally believe that the reason why Arab culture and Islamic teachings are mixed together in the Middle Eastern world today.

sources:

Islam's Women Jewels of Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/women_in_islam.php

An Americans Point Of View

For my second interview I decided to interview an American to hear about his opinion of the Middle Eastern culture. What he has to say is pretty interesting so keep reading.

Q: So Nicholas, What was your first encounter with an Arab?

A: My first encounter was when I was in middle school in health class, his name was Muawiyah he was an ESL student and I was assigned to help him with his studies. 

Q: What was your first impression of that person?

A: He was very shy and very courteous.

Q: What misconceptions did u have about Arabs?

A: I thought that the language was gibberish, I thought they were from a desert place and not from a modern place. I also thought of them as angry people.

Q: Did learning more about the Arab culture change those misconceptions?
A: Due to the fact that I married an Arab-American, I would say it changed a lot. over time I realized every language means something.  Arabic uses a lot more phonological abilities, it makes use of more sounds than English so I realized that its a language not just weird sounds.  I also learned that there is this really rich culture of manners and etiquette that is advanced which is very accommodating to guests like when you go to an Arab's house, you feel very welcome and taken care of. 

Q: If there was an Arab country you would like to visit, which would it be and why?

A: Jerusalem, because of the rich religious history.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of the Middle Eastern culture?

A: The treatment of guests and visitors and the close net families. 

My Condolances To The Victims Of The Boston Marathon

This blog post is going to be a little different. Because of the recent incident that took place last week at the Boston marathon, I feel the need as an Arab American Muslim to show my sympathies to the families of those who were lost and injured. No one in this world deserves to go through such hardship and sorrow. Those who carry out terror attacks in the name of Islam are not who they think they are and do not represent the teachings of Islam.

“To kill one innocent man or woman is to kill all of humanity; to save one human is to save all of humanity.” (Quran 5:32)

The verse above is from the Quran, the holy book of Muslims. It shows that the taking of one innocent life is not taken lightly and that every life is sacred. Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance and is the religion of the greatest civilizations where all religions were given freedom to coexist peacefully. Any justifications that these criminal have to cause such terror to innocent lives are invalid. Their corruptive thoughts and actions cause much more harm and corruption and never provide a solution.

There’s a joke that goes around in the Arab community that when the news breaks with incidents similar to this, it is the most time we cross our fingers and pray to god, praying that the suspect isn’t Arab or Muslim. The bombers don’t realize that they don’t only harm their victims but they also harm people of their own race and belief; causing them to undergo stereotypes, discrimination, and racism.

When I heard the news my heart broke for those innocent lives that were taken or changed because of such acts of cruelty. My deep sorrow and condolences go to the victims of the Boston marathon and for all the sufferers of violence around the world.

Religion In The Middle East

         The Middle East has three main religions; Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Islam has the largest percentage of population in the Middle East. It is divided into numerous sects; the most popular are Shi'a Islam and Sunni Islam. Islam is grounded on a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion which is based on the holy text (Qur'an) and the teachings and normative example (Sunnah) of Muhammad, the last prophet sent to them by god. Islam is made up of five pillars which are Shahadah (witnessing there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammad is his prophet), Salah (praying five times a day), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). An advocate of Islam is called a Muslim. 

          Muslims make up 91.8% of the Middle Eastern population making Christians and people of Jewish belief a minority at 3.7% and 1.7%. Below is a circle graph showing the percentages of people that follow each of the religions in Middle East.

Sources:

The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. (2013). Middle east religions. Retrieved from http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/religionsMEmap.html

An Arab-American In The U.S

Today there is an estimate of 3.7 million Middle Easterners living in the United states. A number of these Arab-Americans are 2nd or 3rd generations who have lived here all their lives. Today I decided to interview an Arab-American about herself and her life in the U.S.

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I am a mix of Jordanian, Syrian, Kurdish, and Turkish.


Q: How long have you lived in the U.S?
A: I was born and raised here. I have lived here all my life; I am 28 years of age.

Q: What religion do you follow?
A: Islam.

Q: So you wear your Hijab (head scarf) when you go out?
A: Yes I definitely do all the time because my religion tells me to wear it for multiple reasons that are a benefit to me.

Q: Can you tell me what those reasons are?
A: Well, first of all its a protection  for me from society to make people judge me for who I am and not for my physical appearance. Second, it teaches me to be modest. Third, it makes me focus on more important things than just my looks, but don't get me wrong I do take care of my appearance but in a very modest fashion.


Q; What reactions do you get when you interact with the public here in America?
A: Well, in the past there wasn't much diversity so people reacted differently towards us covered Muslims.  They would stare, whisper to one another, sometimes say hateful things like "go back to you country" or "take that rag off your head", but now in the present time with more diversity in America,  I feel that people have changed and have become more open minded. There are still some "ignorant" people, but I don't give them much attention at all, I mean its a free country isn't it? That is what I like about America it is built upon different people from different origins who came here to find freedom.

Q: Do you ever wish to have been raised in the Middle East instead of America?
A: Actually I am going to give this question a yes and a no. No, because I am grateful to be raised in such a great country and to be given a lot of opportunities and freedom to choose who and what I want to become. Yes, because I always wished that I was more fluent in my Arabic language. Honestly, I also felt that I fit in  more in the Middle East just due to the fact that I am a covered woman, and in the Middle East it is dominantly a Muslim country.


http://www.journalism.org/analysis_report/arabamerican_population_growth

Brief Middle-Eastern History

The history of the Middle East is a rich history that consists of religion, culture, knowledge and conflicts. It once contained one of the world’s largest and longest-lasting empires, known as the Ottoman Empire. Though this history is discredited, it was also the center of the science, math, art, technology, and inventions.

So let's begin...

• 4000-300 BC: The Middle Eastern history started In Egypt, which was first conquered by the Persian Empire (presently known as Iran). The Persian Empire was defeated by Alexander the Great of Macedonia, who conquered all of the Middle East. Later on the romans took over all of the Middle East except for Persia.

•  570-632 AD: Mohammad (peace be upon him) received the revelation of the Islamic religion and lead an Arab-Islamic empire that spreads over the Middle East.
  
  
• 661-750: The Umayyad Dynasty gains control over the Arab-Islamic Empire and greatly expands its territories. The empire spreads westward throughout North Africa, north into Spain, and eastward to the borders of India and China.

• 759-1258: The Abassid Dynasty, the second major one of the Arab-Islamic empire, gains control and moves the capital to Baghdad, however declines in the control of the Abassids over their far-reaching empire allows the Seljuks, a Turkish people, to gain control over much of Asia Minor and the Persian Empire to break free.

• 1453: The Ottoman Empire gains control over Constantinople and renames Istanbul. Earlier Turkish success grew into the Ottoman Empire which will continue to expand until it controls nearly all of the Middle East except for Iran.

• 19th century: The Muslim empires of the Middle East decline in power. The Ottoman Empire loses territory and influence to Russia and Austria.

• 1914-1918: The Ottoman Empire sides with Germany during World War I. The resulting loss causes the empire to be broken up. Much of its territory is divided between France and Britain.

• 1917: The Balfour Declaration by the British clearly expresses support for a Jewish state in Palestine, known as Israel.

• 1922-1990: Slowly, the divided Ottoman Empire regions began to gain independence, which created the following countries we see today; Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Yemen.

•  1967: Many wars were taken place, including the six-day war between Israel and Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria.

•  2003: Iraq was invaded by the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland.

• 2011-Present Day: Palestine is continued to be occupied by Israel, with constant conflict with neighboring countries. The people of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya revolted against their tyrant leaders and received their freedom from their tyrant rule. Syria also revolted against their leader, however, caused a civil war which continues till today. 

Sources:

Michael. (08, 1996 19). History Of The Middle East. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CEAQFjAB&url=http://library.thinkquest.org/3526/facts/timeline.html&ei=jsiBUee5OIWr4AOLyICYCA&usg=AFQjCNHRXTrw6Ncdp0BoFuiZGzIdT8lWoA&sig2=dhucqbIbEwNlI04CEakWMg

Recipe for Oozy

Food is a very important aspect of the Middle Eastern culture. To Arabs, food is their happiness; it's the solution to everything. Any gathering must include their delicious cuisine.  For my first topic, I thought of sharing a recipe of one of my favorite dishes. Oozy is basically rice, vegetables, and ground meat rapped in a pastry sheet and is usually served with plain yogurt and/or meditation salad.

Ingredients:
2 cups of rice
1 pound of frozen green peas
1 pound of cut carrots
11/2 pound of ground meat
1 packet of Apollo Fillo pastry sheets
Salt and pepper
1 stick of butter or canola oil
1/4 cup almonds

Directions:
1. Brown the ground meat in a pan and add salt and pepper to taste
2. Sauté the carrots and peas with 1/4 stick of butter then combine with ground meat
3. Cook white rice
4. Fry the sliced almond with 1 tbsp canola oil; keep stirring until they brown
5. Melt the rest of the butter. With a pastry brush, grease a 1/2 cup bowl with the butter
6. To mold the oozy in a round shape, place a pastry sheet in the greased 1/2 cup bowl
7. Fill the bowl up with first the almonds then the peas and carrots mixture then the rice .
8. Then fold in the edges of the pastry sheet to close the oozy up.
9. Take the oozy out of the bowl and place it on a baking sheet
10. Finally, broil oozy until it browns

About This Blog

The Middle Eastern (Arab) culture at this time is very misguided and misinterpreted mainly because the public doesn’t know much about it. With this blog, I hope to change this present issue through posting about basically every aspect of this culture to give the reader a better idea of what the Middle Eastern culture is really about.

As a Middle Eastern woman, I was a little disappointed to find that there weren’t many blogs written by middle easterners about their culture. What I mainly found were blogs giving information about Middle Eastern politics, language, and religion. Although those are very significant sectors of a culture, what I have in mind is a blog written in the point of view of a middle easterner that also discusses daily experiences which allow the audience to see this culture through a middle easterner’s eyes. All that is seen in the news is war, blood, and chaos. We need a new perspective, how do these people celebrate their joys, endure their sadness and interact in a daily basis. No article reading or TV watching will give us the same incite as first-hand experience.

Be it from our extravagant weddings to our delicious homemade cooking to our silly superstitions you will see every angle of the Middle Eastern culture through a 12 post blog. What better way to learn about the Middle Eastern culture than through an Arab. I live and breathe my culture every day and I cherish and find a pride in it. A culture cannot be fully understood from reading a dried text book it is a much richer and more meaningful experience to learn about it from someone who lives it. So sit back relax and enjoy my reading my blog.