Unit 3: Citizenship - Arab and Islamic Culture

Unit 3: Citizenship - Arab and Islamic Culture

Concept of Culture

- Culture includes all the moral, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional, traits that distinguish one society from another.

- Forms of culture include: art, literature and the lifestyle of the society.

Sources of culture

• Inherited social values including ethics, symbols, morals, sayings, customs and traditions.

• Intellectual which includes science, philosophy, doctrines and theories.

• Artistic creativity which includes literature, music and drawings.

Factors affecting the development of Arab-Islamic culture (1)

The Arab-Islamic culture is one of the richest and most important cultures in the world. The culture is rooted in wisdom, proverbs, speeches and Arab-Islamic sayings.

The factors that influenced the Arab-Islamic culture are:

- Islam:

Islam has a deep influence on the Arab-Islamic culture because Islam is deeply rooted in individuals, families and societies. It leads to the creation of goals and missions of the individual.

The Holy Quran is considered the main source of the Arab-Islamic culture due to its teachings and relevance in all times and places.

Factors affecting the development of Arab-Islamic culture (2)

- Arabic Language:

Arabic is the language of Islam, the Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's teachings). It is the basic means of communication, thought and expression. The Arabic language passes down experiences and cultures from forefathers to their descendants.

Factors affecting the development of Arab-Islamic culture (3)

- Customs and Traditions:

Islamic social values inherited from customs and traditions play a significant role in the development of Arab-Islamic society and culture.

* Religious occasions celebrated by Muslims:

- Eid al Fitr: Muslims celebrate it after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and the first of the month of Shawaal.

- Eid Al Adha: Muslims celebrate it on the 10th of the month of Thul-Hijjah. It is the day of great pilgrimage (Hajj) and comes after the Day of Arafat.

Factors affecting the development of Arab-Islamic culture (4)

- Cultural Openness:

One of the main factors that influenced the development of the Arab-Islamic culture was the acceptance of eastern and western cultures while preserving its own deep roots.

Therefore, the Arab-Islamic culture became rich in content without any contradiction to the important basics of Islam.

Activities

Now, try to summarise what culture is from what you have just seen.

"Culture is...... "

"Some of the main sources of culture are....... and..... "

Multiple Select

Select the true statements below:

• Inherited social values play a significant role in the formation of society's culture.

• The Arab-Islamic culture is one of the richest and most important cultures in the world.

• Islamic culture did not gain any benefits from the surrounding cultures in the east and the west.

• Muslims celebrate both Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha.

Multiple Choice

............ is considered the main source of the Arab-Islamic culture.

• The Islamic religion

• Cultural openness

• Art creativity

• The Holy Quran

Multiple Choice

............ is the basic means of communication through which experiences and cultures from forefathers are passed down to their descendants.

• Culture

• Arabic language

• Customs and traditions

• Social values