What is the money in the Arab Emirates? Where do Arabs live? Countries of the Arab world

Christians in North America are often confused by the relationship between the religion of Islam and the ethnic identity of Muslims. This confusion comes in two forms. The first concerns the relationship between the religious Muslim and Arab ethnic components. The second concerns the depth to which religious Muslim identity has penetrated the ethnic identities of all Muslim groups of people.

If Christians want to understand their Muslim neighbors (locally and globally), love them as Christ commanded, and effectively spread the Gospel to them, then we need to be aware of how they understand themselves.

"Arab" and "Muslim"

The concepts “Arab” and “Muslim” are not synonymous. Muslims are followers of the religion of Islam. Arabs are an ethnic-linguistic group of people, most of whom are Muslims in religion, but many who do not profess Islam. Their roots are in the Arabian Peninsula, but in the 7th and 8th centuries they burst into the world around them with impressive conquests that followed the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD. Over the course of 100 years, they moved west through North Africa and Spain, and reached the south of France. To the east, the Arabs conquered the Persian Empire and entered what is now Pakistan and Central Asia. They did this as followers of Islam, but also ethnically, linguistically and culturally as Arabs. From the beginning, these Muslim Arabs lived as a ruling minority throughout much of their empire. Most of the people they conquered spoke other languages ​​(such as Aramaic, Coptic, Berber and Persian) and practiced other religions (Christianity in the west and Zoroastrianism in the east).

After some time, however, they began dual processes Islamization and Arabization, which occurred in different regions differently, unevenly. Egypt, North Africa and the Aramaic-speaking Middle East became virtually entirely Arabic in language and Muslim in religion. In places like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt, significant minorities have clung to their historical Christian identities. Thus, today in each of these countries there are communities of people who are regarded ethnically and linguistically as Arabs, but are adherents of ancient Christian communities: the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, the Maronite Catholic Church in Lebanon, the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church in Palestine, the Eastern and Syriac Orthodox Churches in Syria, and the Chaldean Catholic and Assyrian Orthodox Churches in Iraq. These groups found themselves caught between two fires in the clashes that plagued these countries in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Chaoyue PAN – Coptic Good Friday Mass

The historical Christian population in the Middle East has declined sharply in the past few decades as Christians have been killed or forced to flee. For example, a large proportion of the population of Palestine was historically Christian in the early 20th century, but Israel does not separate them from Palestinian Muslims, and many have fled their homelands. Likewise, the Assyrian and Chaldean believers of Iraq fled en masse from Saddam Hussein's regime. But since the regime was overthrown, they have again become a target, now for various Islamic groups, and many have had to flee. A significant percentage of the Arab population in the United States belongs to one of the ancient Eastern churches (hence they are not Muslims), and the Patriarch of the Assyrian Orthodox Church currently lives in Chicago.

On the other hand, many other peoples under Islamic rule became Muslims but never became Arabs. In the Middle East itself, the Persians (Iranians), Kurds and Turks are, for the most part, Muslims. But they do not consider themselves Arabs and do not speak Arabic. Moreover, most of the world's Muslim population lives in countries where Arabic is not spoken: Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, among several others.

The majority of Muslims in the world are not linguistically or ethnically Arab.

Arab Center

And yet, the influence of Arabs on these non-Arab Muslims is enormous. The Koran was written in Arabic and only the Koran in the original language is regarded by true Muslims. The prayers that Muslims recite five times a day are recited in Arabic, and it does not matter whether the person praying understands this language or not. Hadith and all authoritative documents of Islamic law were written in Arabic. Muslims South-East Asia who do not know Arabic still give their children Arabic names. It is true that most of the communities living in the neighborhood of the Arab world (Turks, Persians, Kurds and Berbers) have something of a mixed love-hate feeling towards the Arabs, often expressing their superiority or hostility towards them. Until now, this influence is very strong, and the Muslim world is inextricably linked with the Arab world.

And here the second, widespread but erroneous idea plays a role. Residents of North America tend to regard religious identity as private and personal. It is true that we still think in stereotypes: Poles and Italians are typical Catholics, southern states The USA is Protestant. Jewish families will sometimes abandon children who convert to Christianity. However, in general, religion is seen as a matter of choice, and this issue is kept away from public opinion. A person can have no religious identity and still be an American. In much of the Muslim world, however, the exact opposite view is considered correct. Islam is part of their ethnic identity. To be Turkish, Persian or Malaysian or a member of another Muslim group of people is to be a Muslim. You can try to stop being a Turk or a Persian, but not a former Muslim, from an Islamic point of view. As a Muslim, you don't even have to follow all the rules of your religion exactly, but you cannot leave Islam.

To join another religion is to commit ethnic and cultural treason, and it is to cut yourself off from the ties to your family and community that form the basis of your identity. This is one of the greatest challenges facing Christians who share the gospel with Muslims. Islam does not divide religion, culture and politics into different spheres, but views them as an indivisible whole. For this reason, evangelism and ministry to Muslims is regarded as a political and cultural provocation, as well as a religious threat.

Our answer

What should Christians do with this knowledge?

(1) Do not mistake every Arab you meet for a Muslim. They may be, but they may also be members of one of the ancient Middle Eastern Christian churches.

(2) Do not mistake every Muslim you meet for an Arab. Most Muslims are not Arabs and they will appreciate that you know and understand the difference.

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(3) Understand that for many Muslims, Islam is a religion that they practice using a language they do not know. And their commitment to it is based more on ethnic identity, cultural practices and family ties than on theological understanding.

(4) Realize the price Muslims must pay to follow Jesus. Not only do they face a high likelihood of external persecution, they also face feelings of familial, cultural and ethnic betrayal from those closest to them, causing a dramatic upheaval in their understanding of their own identity. Jesus must be exalted as something in highest degree valuable, for the price that is worth paying for it.

Fate Arab women, their makeup. The most beautiful and famous women in the United Arab Emirates.

Recently, European women have been very attracted by the prospect of becoming a Muslim by marrying an Emirati. The fact is that the average income of men in this country significantly exceeds the income of Russians. Therefore, it is not surprising that many women strive to provide for themselves in this way.

The most interesting thing is that there are a lot of myths around the existence of Arab women. For example, that a representative of the fair sex should wear only a burqa. This is actually not true. On the streets of the Emirates you can meet many local women wearing jeans, tunics and open sandals. At the same time, the tradition of covering the head has been preserved. All women wear headscarves.

There are many myths about family law in the Emirates that a woman does not have the right to express her opinion. Actually this is wrong. Many universities are open to Arab women and many of them are doing well in their professions. Although, of course, family and children still come first. It is believed that the more children, the happier the family.

The strangest fact is that the bride does not choose her groom. In general, the family of the bride and groom agree among themselves. At the same time, it is profitable to give birth to girls, since the bride price can be several thousand dollars. That is, the bride has no say in choosing her husband. However, many couples now date before marriage, but only in the presence of family members. Therefore, if communication does not work out, then the wedding will not take place.

Regarding polygamy, in the United Arab Emirates it is allowed to have 4 wives. But now it is rather the privilege of sheikhs and oligarchs. Most Arab men are married to one woman. But if a wife catches her husband cheating, then it’s better to remain silent. Since her husband can kick her out of the house. At the same time, most likely, the woman will not marry again because of gossip.



How do Arab wives live in the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai?

After 40 years, Arab women lose their attractiveness, which cannot but upset their husbands. This is why some men find a younger second wife. But this does not mean at all that old wife will be thrown out. According to local laws, the husband must provide for all wives equally. If a woman feels that she is being discriminated against, she has the right to sue.



Many Russian women believe that Arab women are narrow-minded and uneducated. This is not true at all. These are well-mannered people who know how to present themselves. At the same time, many of them graduate from European universities and remain to work in Europe. Some of them return to their homeland, but settle down well in business. Many Arab women work as doctors, politicians and lawyers.

Nowadays the traditions in the United Arab Emirates have weakened a little, as many programs of a sexual nature are shown on TV. Experts predict that there will soon be a sexual revolution in the country. After all, there are now a decent number of homosexual couples in the Emirates who no longer want to hide their preferences. That is why attitudes towards women are also changing. Recently they have become more independent and independent.



How do Arab women dress, what do they wear?

It all depends on the country. The most liberal views can be considered in Lebanon, Tunisia and Kuwait. In these countries, women look like Europeans. They wear dresses, jeans and don't even cover their heads with a headscarf.

The Emirates have stricter views. Here the woman must wear a headscarf or hijab on her head. But in most cases, women wear the burqa and veil, not because of tradition, but for reasons of practicality. It's very hot and windy in the Emirates strong wind, raising sand. Therefore, completely closed clothing protects from the scorching sun and dust. To Dubai and big cities women prefer a black burqa, decorating it with stones and beads. The well-being of the family can be judged by the decoration of the veil. In the provinces they wear veils of different colors, including quite variegated ones.











How to buy clothes for Arab women in the Lamoda online store: catalog, price, photo

The well-known Aliexpress platform also sells clothes milking oriental women. It's quite attractive

The assortment is pleasing, as here you can find outfits for both young people and mature women.



How to buy clothes for Arab women in the Aliexpress online store: catalog, price, photo

What do Arab women swim in, what do they wear on the beach, what kind of swimsuits do they wear?

Now on many beaches in Arab countries oh there are women's days. It is on these days that only women with small children swim in the sea. But of course, on an ordinary day no one will forbid a woman to swim.

Of course, Arab women are prohibited from swimming in a bikini. They are forced to swim in a veil or burqa. But more recently, Burkini swimsuits have appeared, which in our country could be considered an independent outfit. These are pantaloons or leggings and a knee-length dress. The head must be covered with a scarf. This swimsuit resembles a diver's suit, only with a skirt. These swimsuits look quite stylish.



Swimsuit Burkini

Swimsuit Burkini

Swimsuit Burkini

In general, thanks to social networks such as Instagram, many women in our country became aware of the lives of women in Arab countries. Moreover, in some countries, such as Lebanon and Tunisia, young girls wear open clothes and swim on the beach in a bikini. Outwardly, Arab women are not much different from European women. They have expressive dark eyes and eyebrows. Body type depends on a woman’s genetics and her attitude towards her own figure. After all, in Arab countries no one forbids a woman to diet and exercise.



Nowadays, the view of Arab women's makeup has changed a little. Now you can often see ornate, subtle patterns on the wrists and feet of Arab women.

Makeup Features:

  • Regarding facial makeup, of course, the emphasis is on the eyes, since they are visible even from under the most closed clothing.
  • Eastern women prefer khol. This is a special mineral powder that is used as eyeliner.
  • Arab women apply makeup in the evening, just before their husband arrives. Late in the evening they wash the paint off their faces.
  • At the peak of popularity among Arab women are “smoky eye” makeup and a variety of eyeliner. Arab women use lipstick or lip gloss, but the main emphasis is on the eyes.










In Arab countries, it is customary to give women jewelry, not flowers. The more gold jewelry a woman has, the more beloved and wealthy she is considered. Men love to give gold jewelry to their women because they believe it is a sign of wealth. Previously women In general, they carried a lot of gold on themselves, in case their husband kicked them out of the house. But now everything has changed, since in the east marriage contracts are more common than here.

Arab women adore massive necklaces, wide bracelets and rings. In addition, they often wear gold even on their feet.









Among Arab women there are a lot of beauties who are famous throughout the world.

The most beautiful Arab women:

  • Sulaf Fawakherji (born July 27, 1977, Latakia, Syria) is a Syrian film and television actress, known for her bright eyes. She has played countless roles in Syrian soap operas. She was one of the torchbearers at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In May 2011, she appeared on Syrian television in defense of Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government.
  • Rosarita Tawil (b. 1988 Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese model, winner of the Miss Lebanon 2008 title, who represented Lebanon at the Miss World 2008 pageant. She participated in fashion shows of famous Lebanese designers and posed for the covers of fashionable Arab magazines.
  • Donia Hammed (born February 28, 1988) is the winner of the title “Miss Egypt Universe 2010”. She represented Egypt at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. She is a student at the Finance Academy and works part-time as a model.








In the east, most women do not accept diets at all, since it is believed that a woman’s body is capable of giving birth and bearing a healthy baby. It is a shame for a man if he has a thin wife, it means that he is poor and starves her, they have nothing to buy food for.

Sheikha Moza is considered one of the most influential women in the world. She is not only attractive and influential, but also fashionable. This is one of the first women in the east who began to wear dresses and trousers that fit her figure. They were created for her by designer Ulyana Sergienko. She is considered a “gray eminence” because of her influence on her husband. She is one of the three wives of the sheikh and received a higher education.







VIDEO: Arab women

Olga Bibikova

From the book "Arabs". Historical and ethnographic essays"

Trying to give a comprehensive portrait of a people is not an easy task. It becomes three times more complicated when the subject of study is the Arabs, whose history developed in a territory that had long been inhabited by various peoples. We can judge the existence of some of them only from archaeological data. Here in the Middle East, throughout long period States appeared and disappeared, and the main religions of the world arose here. Naturally, the dynamic history of the region had an impact on the historical appearance of the Arabs, their traditions and culture. Today, there are 19 states in the Middle East and North Africa where Arabs live. Ethnic processes in these countries are particularly complex and have not yet been completed.

Scientists discovered the first mentions of Arabs (or those who identify with them) in Assyrian and Babylonian chronicles. More specific instructions are found in the Bible. Precisely biblical historical legends reported appearance in the 14th century BC. in Transjordan, and then in Palestine, Aramean shepherd tribes from the southern Arabian oases. Initially, these tribes were designated as ‘ibri, that is, “beyond the river” or “crossed the river.” Scientists have found that we're talking about about the Euphrates and, consequently, the tribes that emerged from Arabia first moved north into Mesopotamia and then turned south. It is curious that it is the word “‘ibri” that is identified with the name Abraham (or the name of his legendary ancestor Eber), the biblical patriarch from whom Jews and Arabs descend. Naturally, the question of the reliability of this plot continues to cause controversy among ancient historians. Archaeologist L. Woolley, conducting excavations in the city of Ur, even made an attempt to find the house of Abraham. Let me remind you that biblical legends, written down no less than 12-15 unliterate generations, became a means of later ideological struggle. The likelihood that Abraham (even according to biblical data, twenty generations removed from the time of the recording of legends about him) is a historical person is close to zero.

Homeland of the Arabs

The Arabs call Arabia their homeland - Jazirat al-Arab, that is, “Island of the Arabs.” Indeed, from the west the Arabian Peninsula is washed by the waters of the Red Sea, from the south by the Gulf of Aden, from the east by the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. In the north lies the rugged Syrian Desert. Naturally, given such a geographical position, the ancient Arabs felt isolated, that is, “living on an island.”

When talking about the origins of the Arabs, we usually single out historical and ethnographic areas that have their own characteristics. The identification of these areas is based on the specifics of socio-economic, cultural and ethnic development. The Arabian historical and ethnographic region is considered the cradle of the Arab world, the borders of which do not coincide with the modern states of the Arabian Peninsula. This, for example, includes the eastern regions of Syria and Jordan. The second historical-ethnographic zone (or region) includes the territory of the rest of Syria, Jordan, as well as Lebanon and Palestine. Iraq is considered a separate historical and ethnographic zone. Egypt, Northern Sudan and Libya are united into one zone. And finally, the Maghreb-Mauritanian zone, which includes the Maghreb countries - Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, as well as Mauritania and Western Sahara. This division is by no means generally accepted, because border areas, as a rule, have features characteristic of both neighboring zones.

Economic activity

The agricultural culture of Arabia developed quite early, although only some parts of the peninsula were suitable for land use. These are primarily the territories in which the state of Yemen is now located, as well as some parts of the coast and oases. St. Petersburg orientalist O. Bolshakov believes that “in terms of the level of intensity of agriculture, Yemen can be placed on a par with such ancient civilizations as Mesopotamia and Egypt.” The physical and geographical conditions of Arabia predetermined the division of the population into two groups - settled farmers and nomadic pastoralists. There was no clear division of the inhabitants of Arabia into sedentary and nomadic, for there were various types of mixed economies, the relations between which were maintained not only through the exchange of goods, but also through family ties.

In the last quarter of the 2nd millennium BC. The pastoralists of the Syrian Desert acquired a domesticated dromedary camel (dromedary). The number of camels was still small, but this already allowed some of the tribes to switch to a truly nomadic life. This circumstance forced pastoralists to lead a more mobile lifestyle and carry out many kilometers of journeys to remote areas, for example, from Syria to Mesopotamia, directly through the desert.

First state formations

Several states arose on the territory of modern Yemen, which in the 4th century AD. were united by one of them - the Himyarite kingdom. The South Arabian society of antiquity is characterized by the same features that are inherent in other societies of the Ancient East: the slave system arose here, on which the wealth of the ruling class was based. The state carried out the construction and repair of large irrigation systems, without which it was impossible to develop agriculture. The population of the cities was mainly represented by artisans who skillfully produced high-quality products, including agricultural implements, weapons, household utensils, leather goods, fabrics, and jewelry from sea shells. In Yemen, gold was mined and aromatic resins were collected, including frankincense and myrrh. Later, the interest of Christians in this product constantly stimulated transit trade, due to which the exchange of goods between the Arabian Arabs and the population of the Christian regions of the Middle East expanded.

With the conquest of the Himyarite kingdom at the end of the 6th century by Sasanian Iran, horses appeared in Arabia. It was during this period that the state fell into decline, which affected primarily the urban population.

As for the nomads, such collisions affected them to a lesser extent. The life of nomads was determined by a tribal structure, where there were dominant and subordinate tribes. Within the tribe, relationships were regulated depending on the degree of kinship. The material existence of the tribe depended exclusively on the harvest in the oases, where there were cultivated plots of land and wells, as well as on the offspring of the herds. The main factor influencing the patriarchal life of the nomads, in addition to attacks by unfriendly tribes, were natural disasters - drought, epidemics and earthquakes, which are mentioned in Arab legends.

Nomads of central and northern Arabia for a long time They were engaged in breeding sheep, cattle and camels. It is characteristic that the nomadic world of Arabia was surrounded by economically more developed areas, so there is no need to talk about the cultural isolation of Arabia. In particular, this is evidenced by excavation data. For example, in the construction of dams and reservoirs, the inhabitants of southern Arabia used cement mortar, which was invented in Syria around 1200 BC. The presence of connections that existed between the inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast and southern Arabia as early as the 10th century BC is confirmed by the story of the trip of the ruler of Saba (“Queen of Sheba”) to King Solomon.

Advancement of Semites from Arabia

Around the 3rd millennium BC. Arabian Semites began to settle in Mesopotamia and Syria. Already from the middle of the 1st millennium BC. Intensive movement of Arabs began outside the Jazirat al-Arab. However, those Arabian tribes that appeared in Mesopotamia in the 3rd-2nd millennia BC were soon assimilated by the Akkadians living there. Later, in the 13th century BC, a new advance of Semitic tribes who spoke Aramaic dialects began. Already in the 7th-6th centuries BC. Aramaic becomes the spoken language of Syria, displacing Akkadian.

As we have already noted, there are quite detailed archaeological data, as well as historical legends, about the advancement of pastoral tribes moving from the Trans-Jordanian steppes. However, they were recorded 400-500 years later. It is generally accepted that the biblical narratives of the patriarchs are a reflection of Semitic nomadic tales that are based on traditionally learned genealogies. Naturally, the legends about real events interspersed with folklore legends, which reflects the ideological atmosphere of the time when ancient legends were recorded. Thus, the legend of the sacrifice of Abraham has its own version in the Bible and, somewhat different from it, in the Koran. However, the common origin of both peoples - Israelis and Arabs - can be traced both in language, religious traditions, and customs.

By the beginning of the new era, significant numbers of Arabs moved to Mesopotamia and settled in southern Palestine and the Sinai Peninsula. Some tribes even managed to create state entities. Thus, the Nabataeans founded their kingdom on the border of Arabia and Palestine, which lasted until the 2nd century AD. The Lakhmid state arose along the lower reaches of the Euphrates, but its rulers were forced to recognize vassalage to the Persian Sassanids. The Arabs who settled Syria, Transjordan and southern Palestine united in the 6th century under the rule of representatives of the Ghassanid tribe. They also had to recognize themselves as vassals of the stronger Byzantium. It is characteristic that both the Lakhmid state (in 602) and the Ghassanid state (in 582) were destroyed by their own overlords, who feared the strengthening and growing independence of their vassals. However, the presence of Arab tribes in the Syrian-Palestinian region was a factor that subsequently helped mitigate a new, more massive Arab invasion. Then they began to penetrate into Egypt. Thus, the city of Koptos in Upper Egypt was half populated by Arabs even before the Muslim conquest.

Naturally, the newcomers quickly became accustomed to local customs. Caravan trade allowed them to maintain connections with related tribes and clans within the Arabian Peninsula, which gradually contributed to the rapprochement of urban and nomadic cultures.

Prerequisites for the unification of the Arabs

In the tribes living on the borders of Palestine, Syria and Mesopotamia, the process of decomposition of primitive communal relations developed faster than among the population of the interior regions of Arabia. In the 5th-7th centuries there was underdevelopment internal organization tribes, which, combined with the remnants of maternal counting and polyandry, indicated that, due to the specifics of the nomadic economy, the decomposition of the tribal system in Central and Northern Arabia developed more slowly than in the neighboring regions of Western Asia.

From time to time, related tribes united into alliances. Sometimes there was a fragmentation of tribes or their absorption by strong tribes. Over time, it became obvious that larger entities were more viable. It was in tribal unions or tribal confederations that the prerequisites for the emergence of a class society began to take shape. The process of its formation was accompanied by the creation of primitive state formations. Even in the 2nd-6th centuries, large tribal unions began to take shape (Mazhij, Kinda, Maad, etc.), but none of them could become the core of a single pan-Arab state. The prerequisite for the political unification of Arabia was the desire of the tribal elite to secure the right to land, livestock and income from the caravan trade. An additional factor was the need to unite efforts to resist external expansion. As we have already indicated, at the turn of the 6th-7th centuries the Persians captured Yemen and liquidated the Lakhmid state, which was in vassal dependence. As a result, in the south and north, Arabia was under threat of absorption by the Persian power. Naturally, the situation had a negative impact on Arabian trade. Merchants of a number of Arabian cities suffered significant material damage. The only way out of this situation could be the unification of related tribes.

The center of the unification of the Arabs became the Hijaz region, located in the west of the Arabian Peninsula. This area has long been famous for its relatively developed agriculture, crafts, and most importantly, trade. The local cities - Mecca, Yathrib (later Medina), Taif - had strong contacts with the surrounding tribes of nomads who visited them, exchanging their goods for the products of urban artisans.

However, the unification of the Arabian tribes was hampered by the religious situation. The ancient Arabs were pagans. Each tribe revered its patron god, although some of them can be considered pan-Arab - Allah, al-Uzza, al-Lat. Even in the first centuries, Christianity was known in Arabia. Moreover, in Yemen, these two religions have practically replaced pagan cults. On the eve of the Persian conquest, the Jewish Yemenites fought with the Christian Yemenites, while the Jews focused on Sasanian Persia (which later facilitated the conquest of the Himyarite kingdom by the Persians), and the Christians focused on Byzantium. Under these conditions, a form of Arabian monotheism arose, which (especially in early stage) to a significant extent, but in a unique way, reflected some of the postulates of Christianity. Its adherents, the Hanifs, became bearers of the idea of ​​a single god. In turn, this form of monotheism paved the way for the emergence of Islam.

The religious views of the Arabs of the pre-Islamic period represented a conglomeration of various beliefs, among which there were female and male deities; the veneration of stones, springs, trees, various spirits, jinn and shaitans, who were intermediaries between people and gods, was also common. Naturally, the absence of clear dogmatic ideas opened up wide opportunities for the ideas of more developed religions to penetrate into this amorphous worldview and contributed to religious and philosophical reflections.

By that time, writing began to become increasingly widespread, which subsequently played a huge role in the formation of medieval Arab culture, and at the stage of the birth of Islam contributed to the accumulation and transmission of information. The need for this was colossal, as evidenced by the practice of oral memorization and reproduction of ancient genealogies, historical chronicles, and poetic narratives, common among the Arabs.

As the St. Petersburg scientist A. Khalidov noted, “most likely, the language emerged as a result of long-term development based on the selection of different dialectal forms and their artistic interpretation.” In the end, it was the use of the same language of poetry that became one of the most important factors contributing to the formation of the Arab community. Naturally, the process of mastering the Arabic language did not occur simultaneously. This process took place most quickly in those areas where the inhabitants spoke related languages ​​of the Semitic group. In other areas, this process took several centuries, but a number of peoples, finding themselves under the rule of the Arab Caliphate, managed to maintain their linguistic independence.

Ethnic history of the Arabs

As we have already noted, Arabs are the original inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula. Lack of historical data on any major foreign invasions in historical time indicates a relatively homogeneous origin of the indigenous inhabitants of the region. The ethnonym “Arab” itself is probably not a self-name. Most likely, this term was used by the inhabitants of Mesopotamia and Western Asia, calling people from Arabia this way. Subsequently, when the Arabian tribes began to unite under the rule of Muhammad and his successors, it was this term that was assigned to those who became part of the tribes united by his preaching. Thus, we are talking about a group of related tribes who shared not only their habitat, religious beliefs, but above all their language (koine), which distinguished them from those who spoke Aramaic, Greek or Hebrew. On the basis of this language, oral (poetic) literature developed already in the 4th-5th centuries. In general, the Arabs are part of a group of Semitic peoples whose name is associated with the name of the biblical character Shem, one of the sons of Noah (Genesis 10).

The ethnogenesis of the inhabitants of modern Arab states has been poorly studied. The turbulent history of almost every Arab state is replete with facts of invasions and adaptations of various tribes and peoples. We can say that the ethnogenesis of the Syrian does not coincide with the ethnogenesis of the Egyptian or Moroccan. But we can talk about the basic substrates, which in ancient times became the basis for the formation of modern Arab peoples.

Anthropologists distinguish different anthropological types within the Arab community. This suggests that in the process of settlement the Arabs absorbed and Arabized smaller or disappearing groups. Thus, while the Mediterranean anthropological type is most widespread, the Armenoid type is present in Iraq and eastern Arabia, and the Ethiopian anthropological type is present in southern Arabia. Naturally, in border areas one can always detect the anthropological influence of a neighboring ethnic group.

To a large extent, the formation of the pan-Arab ethnic group was facilitated by the spread of Islam. It should be noted that these two processes - Arabization and Islamization - did not develop synchronously. As a rule, Islamization was ahead of the process of Arabization (assimilation) of the conquered population. The fact is that for a number of peoples, the adoption of Islam meant recognition of the patronage of the Arabs. In addition, converts became members of the ummah (community), which eased the tax burden. We can say that it was Islam that became the common denominator for the peoples who later made up the population of the Arab Caliphate.

However, the process of Arabization was carried out slowly. It is worth recalling that during the reign of Caliph Umar (632-644), Arabs made up only a quarter of the caliphate's population. It is characteristic that the process of Arabization of its population occurred differently in the Middle East and North Africa. The autochthonous population of the Middle East was mainly Semitic (Arameans, Phoenicians), so Arabization and Islamization took place more calmly here. This was also facilitated by aggressive campaigns, thanks to which cities and large settlements developed.

Most of the population of North Africa (for example, Egypt, where indigenous people- Copts, as well as Libyan and Berber tribes) belonged to the Hamitic group. Therefore, here the process of gradual assimilation of the local population by the Arab conquerors represented the displacement of local dialects by the Arabic language. At the same time, Arab culture also conquered the territory.

The situation developed completely differently in those countries where there were few Arabs. The further to the east, the less the influence of the Arabic language was felt, which did not interfere with the process of Islamization. However, here Islam acquired features characteristic exclusively of this area. In this context, it is interesting to compare elements of ethnic culture, especially since, despite the unifying Muslim influence, almost every region manifests its own cultural substrate.

As an example, let us give the Iranian interpretation of the image of Ali, one of the main characters of early Islam. Here the image of Ali acquired features characteristic of ancient Persian cultural heroes and features of earlier deities. Ignatius Goldzier noted that in Persia “the attributes of the thunder god are associated with Ali.” In Iran, the local cultural substrate turned out to be so powerful that Arabization was not successful there. One gets the impression that Islam was forced to submit to the local cultural traditions, thanks to which its Shiite branch arose, competing with the original and main Sunni one. Nevertheless, attempts to transfer Shiism to the West (for example, during the reign of the Abbasids, who came to power relying on the Shiites) failed, although various Shiite communities still exist in a number of countries.

Almost the entire history of the Arab Caliphate indicates that the process of Arabization was carried out naturally, because the rulers did not set themselves the task of total Arabization of the population. This was due to economic policy carried out by the caliphs and governors of the provinces. Economic privileges established for converts gave advantages to converts and made Islam attractive to this part of the population.

It should be noted that from the very beginning, the Muslim administration did not interfere with the process of adaptation of the traditions of the conquered peoples. This was primarily due to the fact that the process of formation of the Arab state occurred simultaneously with the transition of former nomads to a sedentary lifestyle. Yesterday's Bedouins were introduced to agriculture, and subsequently to city life. This circumstance had an impact on the formation of the Muslim worldview, as well as on the nature of religious ideology. At the same time, this predetermined the long and controversial process of formation of the Arab nation.

An important (but little studied) factor was the transition of some Christians, mainly residents of the Mediterranean coast of Europe, to Islam. F. Braudel cites economic conditions and overpopulation as the reason for the mass conversion to Islam European territories. “A sign of the overpopulation of Mediterranean Europe from the end of the 15th century was the repeated persecution of Jews... this is also evidenced by the numerous transitions from Christianity to the Islamic faith, which were of a demographically balancing nature.” In the 16th century, the process of voluntary conversion to Islam accelerated: “Christians in large numbers are flocking to Islam, which attracts them with the prospect of moving up and earning money, and their services are actually paid.” Moreover, Islam attracts Europeans with its tolerance towards people of other faiths. Here is what the French researcher Fernand Braudel wrote about this: “The Turks opened their doors, and the Christians locked theirs, perhaps acting unconsciously. Christian intolerance, a child of overpopulation, repels rather than attracts new adherents. All those whom Christians expel from their possessions - Jews in 1492, Moriscos in the 16th century and in 1609-1614 - join the crowd of voluntary defectors to the side of Islam in search of work and places." Thus, cross-cultural contact between Islam and Christianity, European peoples and Arabs has a long history, with periods of ups and downs.

Naturally, Islamization was accompanied by unification religious life, and also had an impact on the formation of stereotypes social life, as well as on the system of family and social relations, ethics, law, etc. of all faiths living in the Muslim world.

Being under power Ottoman Empire, and subsequently under the yoke of the colonial rule of European powers, the population of Arab countries felt themselves to be a single community. It was in the last quarter of the 19th century that slogans of pan-Arab unity became relevant, in the wake of which public organizations were created that rocked the colonial regime. Trying to strengthen its power, the colonial administration sought to rely on the local Christian population, attracting its representatives to the government apparatus. Subsequently, this circumstance became the reason for the emergence of mistrust between the Christian and Muslim populations, and also provoked a number of conflicts.

By the middle of the 20th century, the process of becoming politically independent states began, in which the main place was occupied by the national elite, representing the interests of the most powerful tribal clans. Naturally, at this stage, representatives of the most educated ethnic groups and clans received an advantage, regardless of their relative weight. ethnic group in this society.

Thus, the Arabs, the Arabic language, Arab culture and Arab statehood played a significant role in the formation of the common area that we today conventionally call the “Arab world.” This world arose and was formed during the aggressive campaigns of the Arabs and under the influence of Islam back in the Middle Ages. Over the subsequent time, in the space from Iran to the Atlantic Ocean, the basic principles and norms of existence, forms of relationships and hierarchies took shape and developed. cultural values, which arose under the influence of the Muslim religion and closely related Arab cultural traditions.

Typically, Muslims paid tithe as a tax, while the non-Muslim population paid kharaj, the amount of which ranged from one to two thirds of the harvest. In addition, Muslims were exempted from paying the jizya, the poll tax. In trade, Muslims paid a duty of 2.5% and non-Muslims 5%.

Braudel F. The Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip I.M., 2003. Part 2, p. 88.

Braudel F. The Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II. M., 2003. Part 2, p. 641.

How great religions began. History of the spiritual culture of mankind Gaer Joseph

Arab religion

Arab religion

Like all peoples of antiquity, the Arabs worshiped the forces of nature - the sun, and the stars, and the spirits of the sun and stars. They also worshiped the memory of their ancestors - Abraham and Ismail. And in Mecca, next to the Holy Temple, they installed idols, which they also worshiped.

They had three hundred and sixty idols, one for each day of the year. (The Arabs had 360 days in a year.) The most important idol was Habal, depicted in the form of a man and made of red agate, one of his hands was of gold.

Above all the gods of nature, spirits and idols stood the most important god - Allah Ta'ala, and he was also revered by the Arabs. Recognizing Allah Taala as the highest deity, they nevertheless paid more attention to the stars and idols.

There were many clans and tribes in the Arabian Peninsula at that time, and each tribe had its own idols and beliefs. Tribes often fought fiercely among themselves and ridiculed each other's faith, although they were aware of their commonality thanks to common ancestors.

Due to its geographical location The Arabian Peninsula has never been oppressed by the great powers of the East and West. The ambitions of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome never particularly affected the land of Arabia. These states of the distant past, which organized campaigns of conquest, did not bring either their knowledge or civilization to Arabia.

Arabia was left alone with its ignorance, brutal tribal wars, confusion of religious beliefs in Sacred Stones, Sacred Palms and Sacred Mountains.

From time to time, rumors spread throughout the country that a mountain, a pile of stones or a grove had been found that had healing powers or brought good luck. Faith in the power of these sacred places was so great that another Arab could travel hundreds of miles through the treacherous desert to a newly discovered place that travelers declared sacred.

All Arabs firmly believed in the sanctity of Mecca, which contained the Kaaba and the well of Ismail.

Arabia was known as the Land of Frankincense, and Mecca was the site of trade. During their pilgrimage trips to the Holy Temple, the Arabs brought with them incense, spices and incense, which they sold or exchanged in the markets of Mecca. This is how they combined religion with business.

Naturally, wealthy merchants in Mecca profited from the flow of pilgrims whose goods they bought. And they encouraged them to come to their city more often, claiming that the very trip to Mecca would bring them good luck.

Over time, merchants in Mecca claimed Ismail's well as their private property and began selling its water to believers. But however ignorant the Arabs were, they doubted the sanctity of water sold as a commodity.

"If in the water Zemzem there is no holiness,” some pilgrims said, “how much holiness is there in these idols and statues?”

"Very little!" - many thought, although they were silent.

And they gradually lost faith in the power of the water from the source Zemzem, the holiness of the Kaaba and the divine nature of idols.

And when their faith in holy things began to dry up, the Arabs embarked on gambling, drunkenness and predictions of the future.

If they had been a highly developed people in those days, they could have engaged in science and invention. But they were ignorant. And nothing fires the hearts of ignorant people more than the hope of finding out what will happen to them in the future, which seems to be something mysterious, but if you manage to discover this secret, you can look into it and see the whole future. The Arabs tried to unravel this secret by observing the stars, looking for signs in the air, dissecting birds and mice, walking in circles or drawing lots.

Drawing lots led to gambling.

Gambling led to various shameful activities.

Many Jews who came to Arabia after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans preached to them their teaching - Judaism. Later, Christian missionaries came here to spread the Good News of Jesus among the Arabs.

But the Arabs did not listen to either one or the other.

They were only interested in trade, horsemanship, poetic competitions and the pleasures they derived from wine and gambling.

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A people is a group of people united by certain characteristics; there are more than 300 of them on Earth. There are numerous ones, for example the Chinese, and there are also small ones, for example, the Ginukh people, whose representation does not even reach 450 people.

The Arab people are the second largest group of people in the world, approximately 400 million people. They inhabit the states of the Middle East and North Africa, but recently they have also been actively emigrating to Europe due to wars and political conflicts. So what kind of people are they, what is their history, and are there countries where Arabs live?

Where did the Arab people come from?

The predecessors of the Arabs are the wild tribes of Africa and the Middle East. In general, the first mentions of them were found in various Babylonian writings. More specific instructions are found in the Bible. It is in it that in the 14th century BC. e. in Transjordan, and then in Palestine, the first pastoral tribes from the Arabian oases appeared. Of course, this is a rather controversial version, but in any case, scientists agree that it was in Arabia that this people originated, and from there the history of the Arabs began.

The vast majority of Arabs are Muslim (90%), and the remainder are Christian. In the 7th century, a previously unknown merchant Muhammad began to preach a new religion. After several years, the prophet created a community, and later a state - the Caliphate. This country began to rapidly expand its borders, and literally a hundred years later it stretched from Spain through North Africa and southwest Asia to the borders of India. Due to the fact that the Caliphate had a huge territory, it actively spread in the lands under its control. official language, due to which the local population transitioned to the culture and customs of the Arabs.

The widespread spread of Islam allowed the Caliphates to establish close contact with Christians, Jews, etc., which contributed to the formation of one of the greatest civilizations in the world. During its existence, many great works of art were created, and there was a rapid rise in science, including astronomy, medicine, geography and mathematics. But in the 10th century, the fall of the Caliphate (the state of the Arabs) began due to wars with the Mongols and Turks.

By the 16th century, Turkish subjects had conquered the entire Arab world, and this continued until the 19th century, when the British and French already dominated North Africa. It was only after World War II that the entire people, except the Palestinians, gained independence. They received freedom only towards the end of the 20th century.

We will look later at where Arabs live today, but for now it’s worth focusing on linguistic and cultural characteristics of this people.

Language and culture

Arabic, the official language of all countries in which this group of people lives, belongs to the Afroasiatic family. About 250 million people speak it, and another 50 million people use it as a second language. The writing is based on the Arabic alphabet, which has changed slightly over its history. long history. The language was constantly transformed. Arabic is now written from right to left and has no capital letters.

Along with the development of the people, culture also developed. It reached its peak during the Caliphate period. It is noteworthy that the Arabs based their culture on the basis of Roman, Egyptian, Chinese and others, and in general these people took a big step in the development of universal civilization. Studying the language and heritage will help you understand who the Arabs are and what their values ​​are.

Science and literature

Arab science developed on the basis of ancient Greek, mostly in military affairs, since vast territories could not be captured and defended only with the help of human resources. At the same time, various schools were opened. Scientific centers also emerge due to the development of natural sciences. Great success have been achieved in historical and geographical areas of research. Mathematics, medicine and astronomy received a big leap in development in the Caliphate.

Main literary work Arab world is the Koran. It is written in prose and serves as the basis of the religion of Islam. However, even before the appearance of this religious book, great written masterpieces were created. Mostly Arabs composed poetry. The themes varied, such as self-praise, love and depiction of nature. In the Caliphate, such world works were written that are popular to this day, these are: “A Thousand and One Nights”, “Maqamat”, “The Message of Forgiveness” and “The Book of Misers”.

Arabic architecture

Many pieces of art were created by the Arabs. On initial stage The influence of Roman and Byzantine traditions was felt, but over time their architecture takes on its own unique look. By the 10th century, a unique type of columnar mosque was created with a rectangular courtyard in the center, surrounded by numerous halls and galleries with graceful arcades. This type includes the Amir Mosque in Cairo, where Arabs have lived for many hundreds of years.

From the 12th century, various letter and floral patterns began to gain popularity, which were used to decorate buildings both outside and inside. From the 13th century domes appeared. In the 15th century, the basis for the decoration of buildings was the Moorish style, an example of this direction is the Alhambra Castle in Granada. After the Turks conquered the Arab Caliphate, the architecture acquired Byzantine features, which affected the Mohammed Mosque in Cairo.

The status of women and religion in the Arab world

It is impossible to answer the question: who are the Arabs without studying the position of women in their world. Up until the mid-20th century, girls were at the lowest level in society. They did not have the right to vote, one might say, they were not considered people, but what is interesting is that the attitude towards mothers was always respectful. Now, especially in major cities, attitudes towards women have changed. Now they can attend schools, higher education educational establishments and even occupy high political and government positions. Polygamy, which is permitted in Islam, is not rapidly disappearing. It is rare now to meet a man who has more than two wives.

As for religion, of course, mostly Arabs profess Islam, about 90 percent. Also a small part are adherents of Christianity, most of them Protestants and a small part of Orthodox Christians. In ancient times, this people, like most ancient tribes, worshiped the stars, the sun and the sky. They revered and paid tribute to the most famous and influential ancestors. Only in the 7th century, when Muhammad began to preach, did the Arabs actively begin to convert to Islam, and are now generally considered Muslims.

Countries of the Arab world

There are quite a large number of states in the world where Arab people live. Countries in which the overwhelming majority of the population are of this nationality can be considered their original ones. For them, their place of residence is mostly in Asian countries. The largest Arab representation is in the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Tunisia. Of course, Arabs still live in Africa and European countries.

Arab emigration

Throughout history, this nationality has moved throughout the world, much of it associated with the great civilization of the Caliphate. Now there is a much more active emigration of Arabs from Africa and the Middle East to Europe and America due to the unstable and threatening situation that has arisen as a result of military and political conflicts. Currently, Arab immigrants are common in the following territories: France, USA, Germany, Italy, Austria, etc. About 10 thousand immigrants currently live in Russia, this is one of the smallest representations.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a famous, influential and successful Arab state. This is a country in the Middle East, which is divided, in turn, into 7 emirates. The UAE is one of the most modern, advanced and rich countries in the world and is considered a leading oil exporter. It is thanks to this natural reserve, The Emirates is developing so quickly. Only in the 1970s did the country gain independence, and for this a short time reached great heights. The most famous cities The UAE is Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country, and Dubai.

Tourism in Dubai

Now the United Arab Emirates attracts tourists from all over the world, but, of course, the center of attraction is Dubai.

This city has everything: any vacationer can satisfy their desires, even ski lovers will find a place here. The best beaches, shops and entertainment centers. The most famous object not only in Dubai, but throughout the UAE, is the Burj Khalifa. This is the tallest building in the world, reaching a height of 830 meters. Inside this massive structure are retail spaces, offices, apartments, hotels and much more.

The largest water park in the world is also located in Dubai. Thousands of different specimens of animals and fish live here. Entering the aquarium, you are immersed in the world of a fairy tale, you feel like an inhabitant of the sea world.

In this city, everything is always the largest and biggest. The largest and most beautiful artificial archipelago “Mir” is located here. The outlines of the island copy the contours of our planet. The views from the top are magnificent, so it's worth taking a helicopter tour.

Thus, the Arab world is a fascinating history, culture and modern way of life. Everyone should get acquainted with the peculiarities of this people, go to the states where Arabs live for recreation and entertainment, because this is an amazing and unique phenomenon on planet Earth.

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