Arab Culture Research Articles

Maltese antiquarians of early-modern age and the cave church of Mellieha

This article aims at presenting some unpublished documents about historiographical research on Maltese Christian Middle Ages written by a Discalced Carmelite friar in the 17th century and recently discovered in the Archives of the Generalate of the Discalced Carmelites in Rome. This is the occasion to report some accounts of Maltese and European scholars regarding one of the most important Medieval sites of Malta (the Church of Our Lady of Mellieha) and to underline how scholars and missionaries of the 17th century related with the historical and archaeological affected by close contacts with Islam. The paper wants therefore to contribute on describing how scholars of the 17th century approached the multicultural and often turbulent aspects of the main Mediterranean areas and how they contributed in assessing the nascent study of Arabic language and culture in terms of historiographic structuring of Mediterranean identity.

Transnational audiovisual remakes: Suits in Arabic as a case study

Abstract This study compares and contrasts the English and adapted (remade) Arabic versions of the American series Suits 2011 in terms of cultural, religious, and ideological aspects. The researchers compiled a parallel comparable corpus extracted from both versions. Data analysis shows that there are several similarities and differences between the source and the target versions of Suits in terms of the cast, setting, opening and credits, daily life habits, morality, and social customs. The findings show that the Arabic version highly attends to the Muslim Arab cultural norms. Nevertheless, the Arabic version frequently contains unfamiliar and unacceptable behaviour to the Muslim Arab culture, such as smoking weed and trading drugs. In other words, there are some unexplained paradoxical changes made by the makers of the Arabic version, such as adding scenes to a few episodes similar to those that were deleted in previous episodes for cultural considerations. Due to the lack of consensus on what is and what is not suitable for the target Muslim Arab audience, this study recommends that media decision-makers in the Arab World compile a list of codes that can regulate the adaptations (remakes) of famous foreign shows into the Muslim Arab culture.

The Problem of Terminology and its Significance in Arabic Criticism

The controversy in the Arab arena has stirred up the world of Arab criticism causing Arab readers to live in constant turmoil due to the ongoing debate between heritage and modernity, particularly after advocates of modernity called for updating the Arab mind and severing ties with tradition, captivated by Western modernity. On the other hand, others have clung to Arab heritage, attempting to revive it and employ it in their intellectual and literary works. Amidst this intellectual conflict that dominated the field of contemporary Arab criticism, reality is experiencing a genuine crisis, manifested in the loss of the distinctiveness and intellectual identity of criticism. This was a result of the influx of Western cultural terms into Arab culture through the process of acculturation. However, this transition had a negative impact on the practice of criticism, as these imported terms carried significant conceptual baggage at all levels. Moreover, these imported terms remained in a state of flux and the Arab criticism continued to struggle between the absence of a unified terminological formula and the translation or adaptation of these terms from Western studies. This has had a negative effect on the effectiveness of procedural terminology and its active role in unifying and facilitating the circulation of information. What is the significance of terminology in the Arab critical arena? And how can it be regulated and unified? In this research paper, we will attempt, God willing, to examine the reality of Arab critical terminology and its challenges through the following elements: 1. The nature of critical terminology and its challenges. 2. The mechanisms used in formulating critical terminology. 3. The experiences of some Arab critics in the field of critical terminology. 4. Proposed solutions to address the problematic nature of critical terminology.

Formation of Cultural Heritage Through the Interaction Between Chinese and Arab Cultures from a Post-colonial Perspective: Taking Ma Jian as an Example

Abstract Ma Jian brought a major transformation that had not been experienced in the early period of Chinese-Arab relations, which not only benefited from his study in Egypt, but also originated from the wave of cultural revival in Egypt and other Arab countries in the “post-colonialism” era. Ma Jian was fruitful in his life. Two of his most prominent achievements are: first, he completed the translation of the Chinese version of the Koran. With traditional Chinese thoughts (Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism) as the root and classical Islamic thoughts as the guide, Ma Jian translated the Koran by integrating the identity characteristics of the Chinese nation with the spirit of Islam; second, he introduced Arabic into Chinese university education and compiled the first Arabic-Chinese dictionary. By establishing the Chinese-Arab cultural exchange base, Ma Jian effectively promoted the integration of the Chinese and Arab nations and multicultural exchanges and mutual learning and got rid of the “English hegemony”. At the same time, Ma Jian translated many ancient Chinese books into Arabic, which also laid the foundation for the establishment of “Sinology” in the Arab region.

Theoretical and Methodological Framework for Studying Video Games and Orientalism

AbstractThis article proposes a theoretical and methodological framework for studying orientalism and representation in video games, grounded in information science, communication studies, game studies, and cultural studies. Utilizing the approaches of critical transculturalism, game production studies, and a newly refined concept of gamevironments, the proposed framework understands video games as hybrid cultural artifacts existing within interconnected technical, socio‐cultural, political, economic, and religious spheres. It examines games on three levels: as computational systems encompassing procedural, narrative, and audiovisual layers; as designed by authors encoding worldviews and ideas; and as dynamically interpreted by players. Encompassing the contexts influencing design and reception, this framework enables nuanced analysis of how games perpetuate or challenge orientalist discourses. Methodologically, it integrates techniques from across disciplines to study games' components, creators, audiences, and wider environments. Using Arab and Iranian gaming cultures as an example, this article highlights applying the framework to local productions negotiating global media flows and political constraints. Overall, it aims to offer an expansive and multifaceted toolkit for researching orientalism, representation, and identity construction in video games.

Qatar 2022 World Cup Cultural Celebration: An Arabic Model of Cultural Diplomacy

the role of cultural diplomacy and sports culture in establishing the grounds for a mutual cultural dialogue among different societies. The study also aims to investigate the impact of diplomatic efforts promoting the Arabic and Qatari culture during a universal sport event that occurs in an Arab country for the first time in history. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. The data has been collected by interviews and questionnaires. Methods: The study employs descriptive and inferential approaches. The research data was analysed by using (SPSS). Results: Based on the research results, the researcher proposes conclusions regarding efficient and effective management of such a global sports event where most World countries meet. Results show that Qatar considers customs and values of different cultures and can counter anti-media campaign. Conclusions: The researcher recommends organizing more culture related-courses among Arab youth, providing support for local Arab institutions which sponsor sports, arts and entertainment activities and carrying out more research on social and psychological aspects of sport due to lack of literature on the theme.

A Translation and Analysis of ʾAbd al-Jabbār Ibn Ḥamdīs’ Poem No. 110: “Qaḍat al-Nafs”

In this paper, I undertake a complete translation of Ibn Ḥamdīs’ poem No.110 “Qaḍat al-Nafs” and provide a structural analysis in order to demonstrate that the poem in its entirety is structured through a succession of related metaphors that lends unity and organization to the speaker’s experience. Though Ibn Ḥamdīs is committed to the canon of classical Arabic poetry in the division of the poem into three canonical segments of the classical qasīda (physical decay and the loss of youth, the wine song and the nostalgic feelings for a lost homeland), I argue that these segments are not loosely structured but built upon a succession of related and resonating metaphors that lends unity and coherence to the speaker’s experience. The poem can also be read as an autobiographical document in which Ibn Ḥamdīs records his own tragedy as an exile and the tragedy of Muslim Sicily and Arabic culture. Having led a very active life in his youth, the persona is now old, frequenting taverns and indulging himself in merry making in an attempt to recapture youth. However, the speaker’s attempt is overwhelmed by the tragic awareness that his action is futile; youth cannot be regained. This realization is intensified by the feeling that Sicily, the speaker’s birthplace and the setting of his youth, is also lost forever. Regaining his “paradise” is as impossible as regaining his youth. Old age and the great sense of loss make him turn to God with a penitent attitude.

A Cognitive Approach to Metaphor Translation in Children’s Literary Discourse: The Case of Romeo and Juliet

Metaphor as a concept has traditionally been viewed as a literary device through which writers can hold readers’ interest. However, recent evidence suggests that metaphors can go well beyond their rhetorical function and can be examined from a cognitive standpoint. This study uses a cognitive approach to metaphor translation in children’s literary discourse, with a reference to Romeo and Juliet, and its translations into Arabic. Specifically, the study attempts to explore the ways in which metaphors are presented to the Arabic reader, taking into consideration the way English and Arabic cultures and languages conceptualize experiences and notions. The paper argues that the use of metaphors presents a challenge for Arab translators because the transfer from one language and culture to another one is hampered by linguistic and cultural differences; the difficulty of translating metaphor is also due to the differences that exist between children’s and adults’ understanding of metaphors. In this article, I describe an exploratory study that investigates the ways in which Moroccan elementary school children perceive metaphors. The results indicate that Moroccan elementary school children tend to misinterpret metaphors because they use different cultural references when attempting to interpret them. The findings also reveal hat comprehension of metaphors involves the transfer of knowledge from one conceptual domain to another, which depends largely on the cognitive development of the child.

ACCULTURATION ASPECTS STUDY ON BABAH ALUN DESARI MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE USING PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA

The research proposed in this proposal is to examine the architectural elements of the Babah Alun Mosque that apply various Chinese architectural elements to the architectural principles of mosques. The data to be collected is data in the form of literacy data and visual data. These data will then be used to help analyze the form of acculturation of Chinese and Arab culture within the very plural metropolitan city of Jakarta. With long-term goals, the expected results are to preserve culture and increase relations of tolerance among Indonesians within the framework of pluralism.

Коммуникативная функция ольфакторных образов в романах П. Зюскинда «Парфюмер» и Т. Салиха «Сезон миграции на Север»

The article deals with the comparison of olfactory images in Patrick Suskind’s novel Perfume and Tayeb Salih’s The Season of Migration to the North in the communication context of Arab and European cultures. The initial theoretical point, based on the existing developments in the field of literary studies and cultural studies, is the idea of olfactory images as an essential component of the poetics of a work of art. The role played by olfactory images in revealing the characters of the two heroes Jean-Baptiste Grenouille and Mustafa Said is considered. Both heroes share similarities: on the one hand, they have a gift, and on the other, they are alienated from society: they feel lonely, their position in the world is that of an outcast. However, for Grenouille, this alienation is due to his personal features, while Mustafa Said’s psychological problems are connected with the colonial past of his homeland, Sudan. With the help of fragrances, both heroes are trying to restore the destroyed communication links – to evoke love to themselves and assert themselves. The article examines the relationship between olfactory images and the image of the homeland of both heroes. In the novel Perfume, the olfactory image of Paris is represented exclusively in a repulsive way. In the novel The Season of migration to the North, smells, by contrast, return the hero to his childhood, help him achieve harmony with himself and with nature. Olfactory images play an important role in revealing the problem of the protagonist’s communication with women. Grenouille artificially creates a fragrance that causes erotic temptation in the people around him. Salih’s novel also shows the connection between olfactory images and the motives of seduction, however, Mustafa Said does not create artificial smells, but uses natural smells to arouse the interest of his potential victims. The article concludes that the communicative functions of olfactory images in both novels are similar, but their differences are determined by the specific features of Arab and European culture.

Laptop use and muscle activity in adult females: Ground sitting has lower muscular demand than using a chair.

With progressing technology in the portable computing field, laptops are now integral for work, home and social settings. Different working postures adopted by laptop users impose different loads on the relevant muscles, which can be associated with musculoskeletal discomfort in the various body regions. Some Arabic and Asian cultures adopted postures are not well investigated, particularly for the 20-30 years age-group. This study compared muscle activity in the cervical spine, arm, and wrist among different laptop workstation setups. In this cross-sectional study, 23 healthy female university students (age = 24.2±2.28 years, range 20-26 years) performed a standardized 10 minute typing task in four different laptop workstation setups: DESK, SOFA, GROUND sitting with back support, and laptop table (LAP-Tab). Differences between electromyography (EMG) muscle activity recorded in the trapezius (TR), cervical extensors (CE), deltoid (DEL), and wrist extensors (WE) were determined using one-way repeated ANOVA measures with a post-hoc Bonferroni test. Significantly higher muscle activity was observed respectively in the workstations of DESK > LAP-Tab > SOFA > GROUND. Significant differences were found between WE muscle activity and the three other muscle groups (p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between workstations and muscle activity (F(9,264) = 3.81, p < 0.001, = 0.11), where the WE and DEL muscles showed respectively higher and lower muscle activity in all setups. Muscles showed variable activity in different workstations such that the GROUND workstation provided the minimum load, while the DESK workstation showed the maximum load on the measured muscle groups. These findings require further investigation in different cultural and gender specific groups.

Perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness within multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia: The role of Islamic and Wasta values

AbstractThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) presents a promising yet volatile environment for international business. US‐centric models dominate management/leadership studies in the Arab Gulf Region, while emic, indigenous, and context‐specific studies remain scarce. To rectify this epistemic injustice, we have conducted a qualitative Type 3 (emic‐as‐emic) indigenous ‘critical incident' study of managerial behavior exhibited by expat and local managers within MNCs operating in Saudi Arabia. This has led to an emergent KSA‐related two‐factor taxonomy comprised of 15 behavioral dimensions (BDs) that differentiate effective managers from ineffective managers, as perceived by their Saudi colleague managers and staff. The positive (effective), and most of the negative (ineffective) BDs are endorsed by Islamic and tribal Wasta values, thus lending support to literature on culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories, while simultaneously calling for increased attention toward proximal cultural factors rather than distal national cultural dimensions. Comparing our findings against those of an equivalent study in the United Arab Emirates reveals significant similarities and interesting differences, thus challenging the notion of a homogenous ‘Arab culture'. The derived taxonomy offers an insightful, contextually relevant, and richly described understanding of specific types of managerial behavior that managers within MNCs in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps in other Arab Gulf desert countries, should strive to emulate or conversely avoid if they are to be perceived effective by their respective superiors, peers, and subordinates. After discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our findings, we outline the limitations of the study and suggest several directions for future research.

Investigating the Impact of L2 Attainment on L1 Attrition: The Case of Saudi Children Studying in International Schools in Saudi Arabia

Despite the significant body of research in linguistics, there has been limited exploration of the attrition or retention of the first language in a homeland after a person ceases to use or learn it. However, this phenomenon has become apparent in the Saudi community, particularly in the younger generation who are losing their mother tongue (L1) despite living in their homeland. To address this issue, the present study focuses on L1 attrition and examines lexical disfluency in the oral production of Arabic among 36 Saudi children living in Saudi Arabia. They are L1 Arabic speakers who learned English as their second language L2 while studying in international schools from grade one to six. The study compares the level of their Arabic proficiency to that of other Saudi children studying in national schools. The latter group speaks Arabic as their L1 and English as a foreign language. The aim of the study is to identify the extent to which exposure to English as L2 affects the oral production of Arabic among L1 Arabic speakers. This study is significant because the loss of L1 can result in the erosion of cultural identity and the weakening of social ties within a community (Genesee, 2008). The study provides insights into the factors that contribute to L1 attrition. This can inform efforts to preserve Arabic language and culture in Saudi Arabia, particularly among younger generations who are at risk of losing their L1. The results showed high level of attrition in the attritor group.

A Glimpse into Egyptian/Syrian Elite Book Culture During the Seventh/Thirteenth Century: Booklist T-S Misc. 24.28 from the Cairo Geniza Corpus

Abstract This article discusses the fragment of an Arabic-script book list with a Cairo Geniza provenance that includes 33 identifiable titles. On the basis of the list’s provenance, its organization, and its content, we argue that it was part of a larger Cairene library catalogue dating to the seventh/thirteenth century. All titles in this catalogue refer to Arabic poetry ranging from pre-Islamic jāhilīʾ poets to poets living in the first half of the seventh/thirteenth century. A comparison with the poetry section of the Damascene Ashrafīya Library from the same period shows a distinct overlap in terms of titles and textual format. We thus suggest that this Cairene catalogue should not primarily be seen as witness of a “Jewish” library but rather as part of Egyptian/Syrian Arabic elite book culture that cut across religious communities. While it is likely that this shared book culture went beyond Egypt and Syria and encompassed wider regions in North Africa and West Asia, further comparative material is needed to substantiate this assumption.

Validation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a Moroccan sample with substance use disorder

BackgroundTranscultural validation studies of depression scales are rare in Morocco. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is commonly one of the most common and frequently used screening instruments for depressive symptoms, but the scale has not, up to date, been validated in dialect of Arabic in Moroccan contexts. Given the importance of assessing and preventing depressive symptoms in our Moroccan context, this study aims to validate the CES-D, translated, and adapted to the dialect of Arabic and Moroccan culture, in a sample with substance use disorder.MethodsThe data were analyzed in two successive phases. First, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess the factor structure in the pilot sample (N = 140). Then, this structure was confirmed in the validation sample (N = 205) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).ResultsExploratory factor analysis extracted three factors different from the four factors in the original version. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structure of three factors. The fit indices level showed acceptable to good performance of the measurement model. The instrument showed sufficient reliability and convergent validity, as demonstrated by acceptable values of composite reliability (CR = 0.89–0.93) and average variance extracted (AVE = 0.64–0.66), respectively. The square roots of AVE were higher than factor-factor pairs correlations, and the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio (HTMT) of correlations values was less than 0.85, indicating acceptable discriminant validity.ConclusionsOverall reliability and both convergent and discriminant validity tests indicated that the Moroccan dialectal Arabic version of the CES-D had a good performance and may serve as a valid tool for measuring the severity of depression in people with substance use disorder.

From Medieval Sacred Art to Modern Photography

Abstract In this study of image-making, it is argued that from the Middle Ages to the Modern period in Lebanon, coexistence between Christians and Muslims, who maintained contact alternately as a minority or dominant culture, was defined by fundamental ideas about sacred art, namely, the embodiment and depiction of the divine. The central premise holds that in Christianity paintings of a religious character are of importance because they reaffirm belief in the doctrine of incarnation, and thus Christ’s humanity. In Islam, by comparison, such art is idolatrous and deserving of censure. The opposite is asserted: God is invisible, and, therefore, paintings of the divine are impermissible. However, denunciation by Islamic scholars was not absolute; there was no disapproval if imagery did not violate Qur’anic proscription against idol-worship. A more nuanced discussion of the Arab literature demonstrates not only Muslim disavowal and episodes of iconoclasm, but also fascination with and commentary on Christian art. Such views informed Christian-Muslim debate over the value and validity of image-making in Modern-era Lebanon, which was further aroused by European developments in the science of optics, based partly on the works of Arab scientists. The advent of photography offered new ways of seeing the world, and discussion among Lebanese Muslim scholars focused on the efficacy and malevolence of optical technology in Arab society and culture. Outright condemnation of image-making was tempered by views condoning certain artistic practices.

The impact of cultural healthcare practices on Children's health in the United Arab Emirates: a qualitative study of traditional remedies and implications.

This qualitative study investigates the impact of cultural practices on children's health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by examining the use of traditional remedies and home treatments by mothers. Twenty-five participants, all mothers who had employed traditional treatments or home remedies for their children during periods of illness, were included in the study. The participants represented a diverse range of educational backgrounds, from school diploma holders to university degree graduates, with ages spanning from 20 to 50 years. Hailing from different Arabic countries and cultural subgroups, the majority of participating mothers were from the UAE. Through in-depth interviews, three major themes emerged from the participants' experiences. Firstly, a strong connection between culture, religion, and healthcare practices was evident. Many mothers opted for cultural remedies as their first line of defense against illnesses due to the practices' strong foundations in their cultural heritage. Herbal remedies, Quranic healing, and other traditional methods were perceived to be both effective and spiritually comforting, reinforcing participants' sense of cultural identity. Secondly, participants highlighted unintended consequences of relying solely on traditional treatments. Some instances were reported where the use of ineffective remedies resulted in delays in seeking appropriate medical care for their children, potentially compromising their health. Additionally, certain misconceptions regarding the safety and efficacy of traditional remedies were identified, emphasizing the need for evidence-based healthcare education. This qualitative study sheds light on the intricate interplay between culture, traditional remedies, and children's health in the UAE. The incorporation of diverse participants from various Arabic countries and cultural subgroups enriches the study's applicability to broader Arabic cultures. By recognizing the significance of cultural healthcare practices and striking a balance with evidence-based care, healthcare providers can create a more inclusive and effective healthcare environment for children in the UAE. Future research should explore diverse samples and develop targeted interventions to further advance cultural awareness and understanding in healthcare practices.

Art Voicing Peaceful Protest: Hip-Hop and Rap in the American and Arabic Cultures

For centuries, poems and songs have been utilized to criticize oppressive and violent regimes, eliciting emotions and aiding the public in coping with hegemony. Rap and hip-hop, blending poetry and music, have emerged as powerful tools for combating oppression and marginalization. Despite the misconception that loud, aggressive music may incite violence, recent research disproves this notion. This study employs Sigmund and Anna Freud's psychoanalytic theory, focusing on defense mechanisms and free association, to analyze data. The study reveals that poets and artists across cultures, including Arabic culture, have employed rap and hip-hop as a means of cultural resistance, fostering a collective identity among young individuals to enhance their understanding of themselves and their culture. The study argues that rap and hip-hop serve as peaceful tools of resistance and function as a therapeutic outlet for managing anger, contrary to claims by some critical theorists that they stimulate violence in society.

Understanding Iraqi society: Reading Ali Al‐Wardi (1913–1995)

AbstractThe present article addresses Al‐Wardi's efforts to study Iraqi society and the foundations he set out to understand Arab society. Al‐Wardi is one of the pioneers of secular intellectuals in Iraq and one of the greatest social thinkers in the Arab world. Al‐Wardi's sociology is a kind of non‐Marxist conflict sociology whose roots can be found in the works of Ibn Khaldun. By reacting to the main issues of his society and conducting research and writing books about them, as a public sociologist, Al‐Wardi provoked many debates and controversies among people and intellectuals. He shows how the foundations of Bedouin culture continue and take on new forms in the modern urban and rural society of Iraq. He considers Bedouin culture to be the foundation of Arab culture. Political repression and censorship in the Baathist regime of Iraq prevented Al‐Wardi from continuing teaching and research and unable to establish a school of thought in Iraq. This issue is considered in the present article under the title of Tragedy of Discontinuity in Middle East sociology. Al‐Wardi's ultimate goal was to develop sociology at the national level and help create an Arab Sociology, which seems to have remained an idea and its future and feasibility cannot be judged.

The (In)effectiveness of Conspiracy Theories in the Arab World

ABSTRACT 1 This article explores the spread of conspiracy theories in the Arab world, specifically in the Arabic speaking countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), through a state-security prism. It downplays the common assumption that Arab culture is more prone than others to accepting conspiracy theories and instead establishes a link between the level of Arab states’ roles in policing information and the (in)effectiveness of conspiracy theories. The article argues that, through a top-down dissemination of information, Arab states have played a key role in spreading conspiracy theories to advance their agenda. Inversely, they have also successfully muted conspiracy theories that did not serve their agenda. To illustrate the salient role of Arab states in either spreading and/or muting conspiracies, this article explores three cases. The first case examines the success of Arab states in spreading conspiracy narratives centered on Israel as part of their response to their defeats in the 1948 and 1967 wars. The second case examines the success of some Arab states in muting COVID-19 conspiracy theories, focusing on regimes assessed by Freedom House as “not free” on Internet freedom. The third case focuses on Arab states assessed by Freedom House as “partly free” and shows that they fared just as poorly as their Western counterparts in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.