Arab Identity Research Articles

Analisis Dialek Bahasa Arab Peranakan di Condet Jakarta Timur

This research examines the Peranakan Arabic dialect in Condet, East Jakarta, as a representation of cultural acculturation between Hadrami Arab society and local Indonesian culture. This dialect is the result of a unique blend of standard Arabic with elements of Indonesian and Javanese, reflecting a long history of migration and cultural interaction. This research aims to analyze linguistic characteristics, social roles, and challenges faced in maintaining this dialect. The research method used is descriptive-analytical with a qualitative approach. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews with native speakers, participant observation, and literature review. The research results show that this dialect has distinctive characteristics in the form of loan-word vocabulary, phonological changes, and intonation patterns that are influenced by the local language. This dialect not only functions as a means of communication, but also as a symbol of Peranakan Arab identity and solidarity in Condet. However, globalization and shifts in language use among the younger generation pose a threat to the sustainability of this dialect. Therefore, preservation efforts are needed through documentation and cultural education. This research contributes to linguistic studies, especially Arabic dialects in Indonesia, and is the basis for preserving the Peranakan Arab cultural heritage as part of Indonesia's cultural richness.

Teaching the Arabic Language between the Challenges of Globalization and the Enhancement of National Identity

The focus of this research is to examine the duality of language and identity within contemporary Arab culture, particularly in terms of their civilizational interrelation and their influence by emerging social and cultural phenomena. This analysis is situated within a global context where cultural boundaries between societies have become increasingly blurred. Although the history of the Arabic language demonstrates its effective dialogue with surrounding elements and its capacity to assimilate various scientific and intellectual activities over an extended period, including the Abbasid and Andalusian eras, observations indicate that contemporary Arabic is no longer capable of meeting the cognitive needs of its speakers. This is especially evident in its diminished role in scientific advancement and its reduced prevalence in everyday speech. Numerous indicators highlight this trend, such as the declining presence of Arabic in academic research, the widespread use of colloquial dialects, and their strong competition with Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) in fields like art and education. Considering that the Arabic language, like other languages, serves as a vessel for elements of Arab identity, there is no doubt that the decline of its presence in the domains of communication and scientific research has a direct impact on the formation of that identity. This situation urgently calls for careful management of our relationship with our language. In this regard, what we observe is the necessity to enhance the presence of Arabic in our daily and scientific lives. This is achievable by diversifying Arabic teaching methodologies for both native and non-native speakers to ensure that it keeps pace with all current and future scientific developments.

The impact of the visual design of public spaces In the Arabic city

A good design of public urban spaces considers all the visual and aesthetic determinants dedicated to its formation. In a design of public urban spaces in European cities, it is a studying perception of form in the townscape. In addition, most design focuses on the details of constituent elements to suit the overall consideration to aesthetic form. It has a lack of design study in the Arab cities, where all the considerations are not fully applied. The design neglects the study of the visual dimensions and the cultural identity of the Arab city. Therefore, this research is to fill the knowledge gaps and deficiencies about the formation of the urban spaces in Arab cities. The Methodology of this research is descriptive and analytic. It discusses the design determinants of visual and aesthetic composition of public spaces in the Arab cities. It is also a study on the determinants of visual reading of its components by analyzing their forms and their relationship with the surrounding elements (building masses, street furniture elements) and by using the space syntax assessment technique to identify the foundations and visual access to a graphic and aesthetic design reflecting the Arabic identity.

Al-Mutanabbi, the Renowned 10th-Century Arab Poet: Insights from Eastern and Western Scholars' Research

This study offers a comparative analysis of Eastern and Western scholarship on Al-Mutanabbi, the renowned 10th-century Arab poet, whose work has profoundly impacted Arabic literature and beyond. By examining key themes such as linguistic style, cultural identity, heroism, and individualism, the research highlights differences in how Eastern and Western scholars interpret his legacy. Eastern scholarship emphasizes Al-Mutanabbi’s mastery of the Arabic language, his deep cultural significance, and his philosophical exploration of Arab ideals, celebrating him as a symbol of Arab identity. Western scholars, on the other hand, often frame his work within the global literary tradition, focusing on universal themes of self-reflection and existential struggle, which position him as a bridge between Eastern and Western literature. This cross-cultural dialogue underscores the poet's dual role as both a representative of Arab heritage and a timeless voice for universal human concerns. The study concludes with suggestions for future research, including exploring Al-Mutanabbi's themes of fate and mortality, cross-cultural influences, and the effects of translation on his work's interpretation. Such research would further establish Al-Mutanabbi’s relevance in world literature and deepen the appreciation of Arabic poetry’s contributions to global literary heritage.

Globalization and the Borrowing of “Weekend” from English into Arabic

This study was driven by the observed prevalence of the English word “weekend” among Arab speakers, whether in informal written or spoken communication. It aimed to examine the current status of this foreign word and determine if it is ready to be integrated into the Arabic lexicon. The study relied on a linguistic corpus including contexts containing the Arabized version of “weekend”- “?????” on the popular social media X-platform. This data was supplemented by a questionnaire distributed to 316 Arabs and a comprehensive survey of the status of English as the dominant language in the era of globalization. The analysis revealed an intriguing linguistic phenomenon. The data showed that the word “weekend” is linguistically prepared for integration into the Arabic vocabulary system. However, this integration is still being resisted, as most Arabs expressed their disagreement with the word officially joining their lexicon. While they acknowledged their widespread use of the word and its convenience compared to the native equivalent, they insist on maintaining the Arabic phrase "????? ????? ???????" /'ij?zat nih?yat al-'usb??/. The study concludes that the potential entry of “weekend” into Arabic depends on the conflict between globalization and the increasing acceptance of the word on the one hand, and the rejection by the majority to preserve the Arab identity. Any future societal trends towards accepting this word will pave the way for its integration, as it is already linguistically prepared.

The Arab Ethnic Identity Politics in Indonesia: A Female Representation in Fatat Qarut and Fatimah

The Arab Ethnic Identity Politics in Indonesia: A Female Representation in Fatat Qarut and Fatimah

Identity development of Arab drama therapists: The role of ethnic boundary work

Previous studies have suggested that creative arts therapists who work in conservative societies must adapt their Western therapeutic ideologies to collectivist and traditional norms. Less is known about how these creative arts therapists construct and maintain their professional identity in diverse sociocultural contexts. Building on the literature that emphasizes the role of ethnic boundary work in professional identity processes, we examined how Arab drama therapists maintain, challenge, and negotiate ethnic boundaries in the process of professional identity construction.Participants were 38 Israeli-Arab drama therapists (36 female) working in Israeli-Arab schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (27 participants) and playback theater groups (12 participants). Thematic analysis revealed three different forms of ethnic boundary work: "Distinguishing Arab identity from drama therapy", "Drama therapy as an act of challenging ethnic and gender boundaries", and "Negotiating ethnic boundaries within the context of drama therapy".The current study emphasizes the sociocultural context of boundary work by illustrating how Israeli-Arab drama therapists define their professional identity across ethnic, gender, and political tensions. We conclude with implications for research and practice.

Within and Outside the Black-Maghrebi Binary

Abstract What does it mean to be both Black and Tunisian, Black and Maghrebi, when the two identities are defined as different from each other, and in opposition with each other, in both North Africa and its diaspora? This article is an annotated conversation with Dr. Maha Abdelhamid, a Tunisian Black activist and scholar who has been crucial to the creation of the Black movement in Tunisia and Tunisian diaspora. This conversation examines the construction and negotiation of Tunisian-Black and Maghrebi-Black identities through Abdelhamid’s experiences of living in and working against racism in both Tunisia and France. It details Abdelhamid’s trajectory in becoming conscious of her Black and African identities, her complex relationship with her Arab identity, her role in building the Black movement in Tunisia after the 2011 revolution, and her arrival in France and experiences of exclusion in both Maghrebi diasporic as well as Black feminist civil society organizations. The interview points to the possible essentialization of Maghrebi and Black as separate identities not only in socio-political discourses that racialize and marginalize these groups, but also among groups challenging Islamophobia or anti-Blackness, leaving those with overlapping identities and racializing experiences outside their scope.

In-between group membership within intergroup conflicts: The case of Druze in Israel.

In-between groups encompass individuals who simultaneously belong to social categories that are often seen as mutually exclusive in addition to maintaining their distinct group identity. The current paper sheds light on how members of in-between groups manage their relations within intergroup conflicts. Three studies were conducted among the Druze minority in Israel, a group that is ethnically Arab and shares the Arab identity with the Arab-Palestinian minority in Israel and simultaneously identifies as Israeli. In Study 1 (N = 300), we found that identification as Druze was positively associated with the identification as Arab and Israeli. In Study 2, we examined Druze's endorsement of conflict narratives compared to Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian citizens (N = 271). While the latter participants endorsed their ingroup narrative more than the outgroup narrative, Druze participants endorsed both narratives equally. In Study 3, we tested Druze's solidarity with the Palestinian minority against the 2018 Nation-State Law. We found that overall, Druze participants (N = 568) endorsed more inclusive amendments that benefited the Druze and Palestinians than exclusive amendments that benefited the Druze only. In all studies, we tested the role of identification with the rival groups. We discuss these findings and suggest possible underlying mechanisms.

Unveiling the Invisible: Challenges Faced by Arab Women International Medical Graduates in U.S. Academia.

The Arab experience is understudied because until 2024 Arabs were categorized as White on the U.S. Census, leading to diminished documentation of their personal experiences. There is also little understanding of the Arab experience and its intersectionality with gender, being an international medical graduate (IMG), and working in academia. The authors studied the experience of Arab women IMGs working in the U.S. academic system. This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyze in-depth interview data from 20 first-generation U.S. immigrant Arab women who were IMGs. Interpretative phenomenologicalanalysis involved data familiarization, immersion, and coding. Codes were grouped into potential themes on the participants' experience. The authors explored connections between the themes and engaged in reflexive practice through memo writing and team meetings. The study was performed from November 2022-May 2023. The experiences of the 20 first-generation U.S. immigrant Arab women IMGs were as diverse as the Arab identity itself but congruent with some documented IMG experiences. Political turmoil, desire for new opportunities, and career goals were all reasons that led them to emigrate, but cultural differences, isolation from their home countries, and missing family were central to their experiences. Muslim women wearing the hijab or those with heavy accents faced more microaggressions and xenophobia in academic clinical settings. Those in environments that embraced their differences and supported them described less discrimination. They all felt, nonetheless, that they benefited from training in the United States. However, they noted room for improving cultural humility in residencies and the need for a more inclusive workplace. This study highlights the visible and invisible challenges that affect Arab women IMGs' experience in the United States. Program directors and department leaders should try to learn about the backgrounds of IMGs and current geopolitical events that might affect IMGs and extend support.

Shi‘a, Tribalism and the Iraqi state: the ethno-religious dimension

ABSTRACT This essay delves into the intricate interplay between Shi‘a Islam, tribalism, and the Iraqi regime during the 1990s, with a specific focus on the influential figure of Muḥammad Ṣādiq al-Ṣadr. Al-Ṣadr epitomized a compelling case of second-tier scholars who successfully engaged segments of society overlooked by the clerical leadership, recognizing the multifaceted composition of Shi‘a society, with its urban poor, tribal roots, and growing intelligentsia. His Fiqh al-ʿAshāʾir, harmonized Islamic principles with tribal customs, facilitating dialogue with this traditional element, deeply entrenched within Iraqi society. Ṣādiq al-Ṣadr believed that the tribes and their leadership, with their growing alienation from the state, were ready to return to Islam, seeking spiritual comfort and a sense of belonging. While tribalism as a sub-national construct has the potential to undermine the unity of a nation or a larger supra-national entity, in Iraq, tribalism also encompassed a shared Arab ethnic identity, offering a prospect for bridging divides between the Sunni and Shi‘i population. Nevertheless, for Saddam Hussein, tribalism was a tool instrumental in consolidating his power. Consequently, Ṣādiq al-Ṣadr’s endeavour to influence tribal behaviour and inculcate an ethno-religious notion of tribalism presented a direct challenge to Saddam’s autocratic rule and his manipulation of state ideology.

Machine Discriminating: Automated Speech Recognition Biases in Refugee Interviews

This study scrutinizes Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) software, a powerful instrument to expedite the translation process, and their unintended bias against Arabic speakers, particularly refugees. We propose that pre-existing biases in ASR training data reflect societal prejudices, leading to orientalist and Islamophobic misrepresentations. We used four ASR tools to transcribe interviews with Arabic-speaking refugee women, employing ideological textual analysis to detect biases. Our findings indicate that ASR algorithms may inadvertently associate Arabic speakers with conflict, war, religion, and narrow down Arab identities to Islam-centric representations. Acknowledging these biases is essential for fostering a more equitable and culturally sensitive technological environment.

Druzification from below: The case of Arameans in the north Israel

AbstractThis article sheds new light on the Aramean movement in northern Israel, drawing from studies on nationalism, racialisation, ethnic conflict and minority mobilisation. In 2014, Israel allowed members of several churches to identify as Aramean. The pivotal role in the Aramean minority's distancing of itself from the Arab identity was played by the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association (ICAA). Specifying and partially adapting Yusri Hazran's concept of ‘Druzification’, meaning the Israelis' conscious policy of minoritising indigenous populations and encouraging their conscription to the army, the term ‘Druzification from below’ is proposed to stress the bottom‐up character of the Aramean movement in the north of the country as well as the agency of Middle Eastern Christians. My general standpoint is that ‘Druzification from below’ can be perceived as an adaptive strategy—a survival response to structural political conditions and urbicidal practices of the ethnocratic state and adaptation to external threats.

The Representation Of Arabian Identity Through Cultural Terms In Arabic Proverbs

One form of language that contains cultural elements is proverbs which in Arabic are called amtsal. This study aims to discover the identity of the Arabians which is represented in cultural terms in the amtsal. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, while data collection is done by reading and writing. The results show two things; the first, Arabic proverbs contain a number of cultural terms, which consist of three types, namely ecology, socio-culture, and artifacts. The second result shows the Arabic identity as seen from the amtsal, with a total of seven identities, namely the custom of war, fondness of traveling, low rainfall, palm trees and the fruit, gold, value time, and honoring science.

An Imaginary Byzantium in Early Islam: Byzantium as Viewed through the Sīra Literature

This article examines the emergence of new representations of Byzantium in early Arabic literature, with a focus on the Sīra, the biography of the Prophet Muḥammad. This historical investigation leads to a dual conclusions that the Arab perception of Byzantium not only forged an “imaginary Byzantium” but also marked the emergence of Arab self-consciousness. This process significantly influenced the Arab historical and cultural narratives, framing them within the context of the Arabic identity that emerged in late antiquity. Nevertheless, this relationship between the early Islamic community and Byzantium does little to confirm accurate knowledge about Byzantium, rendering the emerging representations as not truly reflective of “reality”, but rather presenting us with an “imaginary Byzantium”. This applies whether related to events in the 1st/7th century or the transition from oral to written texts during the 2nd/8th and 3rd/9th centuries. Furthermore, these representations reveal more about the creators of this imaginary than the other itself, shedding light on the motives of early Muslim writers who used the Sīra as a vehicle for these imaginaries. Ultimately, the article identifies, through the textual analysis and historical contextualization of Sīra, two narrative layers therein that are related to the imaginary Byzantium. The first layer reflected a pervasive fear of Byzantium, while the second layer represented an attitude of challenge and rivalry.

Translation of Poetry: A Study of Translatability of Pragmatic and Cultural Elements

Poetry is a genre that states more in a few words because much of it is cultural content that is assumed to be comprehended by the reader(s). This very characteristic of poetry of being rooted in cultural ethos makes its translation complex and even "untranslatable." Imr-ul-Qais’s Muallaqa is an Arabic classic which has been a symbol of the shared Arab identity, values, and magnanimity. In addition to its unsurpassed poetic brilliance, it is an epitome of the culture of the pre-Islamic Arab world. There are many translations of this masterpiece into English, though each is unique in terms of interpretations, liberties, and constraints. This study examines three prominent translations of Imr-ul-Qais's Muallaqa by Arberry, Johnson, and Mumayiz with reference to Venuti's (1995) dichotomy of domestication and foreignization. The aim is to identify translators’ strategies in tackling the translational challenges, as well as the implications thereof, in order to bridge the linguistic and cultural divide as well as if and what is the nature of the loss of meaning in the process. Results showed that Arberry aims for a poetic rendition in blank verse, focusing on semantic and syntactic fidelity rather than rhyme and meter. Johnson employed transposition and modulation, resulting in a more prosaic translation that lacks the Arabic ethos. Both translators leaned towards domestication, prioritizing English comprehension over retaining the original sentiment. Mumayiz, a native speaker of Arabic, provides a more rhythmic translation, with greater effort to provide English readers with insights into the original text, hence leant more on foreignization than domesticaion.

Constitutional Arab Identity Referring To National Unity: The Cases of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan

This article focuses on how Arab identity is used to indicate membership in a supra-state Arab union in the Constitutions drafted in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan When the constitutionalism movements are examined, it is seen that political identity is directly or indirectly brought to the fore to establish the bond of citizenship. In most constitutions prepared in Arab countries, Arab identity was used to emphasise belonging to a supra-state structure. This study, limited to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, reveals how this belonging is emphasised in the constitutions and constitutional documents drafted in the region. The expressions used in the constitutions, such as the Arab States, the people are a part of the Arab nation and easy citizenship to the peoples of other Arab countries, have been examined in detail. The relevant articles in the constitutions prepared in the three countries of the Levant Region were examined in connection with the theory of citizenship in the Islamic legal literature and the history of Arab nationalism.

British Photographic Propaganda in World War II

The study of an Arabic newspaper published by the British during World War II shows how photographs played an important role in the propaganda campaign to gain Arab support in the Middle East. While the newspaper purported to cover the war, in actuality, the content contained mostly cultural photographs that contributed to the Allies’ implementation of psychological warfare, particularly emphasizing Arab identity, lifestyle in England, development in the Arab World, and the solid Arab–Allies relationship. The results of this study demonstrate how photographs played an important role in the propaganda machine, which, in this case, was intended to positively impress Arabs and Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula and turn them against the Axis.

“There's a lot of conflict between your queer identity and also your Muslim or Arab identity;” A qualitative exploration of the intersectional minority stressors of U.S.-born Arab sexual minority cisgender men

“There's a lot of conflict between your queer identity and also your Muslim or Arab identity;” A qualitative exploration of the intersectional minority stressors of U.S.-born Arab sexual minority cisgender men

Nursing Research in Arab Countries: Current Status, Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Twenty-two Arab countries comprise the League of Arab States. While united in Arab identity, diversities among these countries exist at many levels. Conducting and publishing research in the Arabic speaking countries is an essential pillar for improving the status of the nursing profession. The purpose of this study is to assess the current status, trends, challenges, and opportunities of nursing research in Arab countries. An integrative review was conducted using (1) Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Database Journals Directory (IMEMR), (2) the Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals Database (IASJD), (3) Ulrichsweb (UW), (4) The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research/Middle Eastern Journals (GFMER), (5) the Nursing Journal Directory (NJD), (6) the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and (7) Google Scholar. Journals and articles that met inclusion criteria were accessed, retrieved, reviewed, and subjected to content analysis by three authors, two of which were fluent in English, French, and Arabic languages. A third author fluent in all three languages confirmed the findings. Nursing research in Arabic-speaking countries has evolved over the past decades but is still lacking compared to global nursing research. Moreover, it was found to be largely situated within academic institutions and linked to tenure and promotion requirements. Nursing journals in Arabic-speaking countries do not adequately represent that overall region and are limited in access.