One of the hardest perspectives to gain about the Middle East is
that of someone who was born, raised, and still lives there. The Middle East is
split up into different regions and I will take focus on the Arabian Peninsula
throughout my blog.
The Peninsula is home to a variety of Arab tribes and is
the birthplace of Islam. Its geographic location places it in contact with
trade routes connecting East Africa, Central Asia, and East Asia to Europe. These
different people, their culture and their products have made contact with the
Arabian Peninsula. Additionally, it is important to note that this
interaction is hundreds of years old and a blending of cultures developed. This
differentiates the Arabian Peninsula from the rest of the Middle East and even
more so from Pennsylvania.
Overarching all other differences between the Arabian Peninsula
and Pennsylvania is religion. Islam defines the Middle East while Christianity
defines my state. Government, work schedules, colloquial language,
food, and kinship relations are just some examples of how Islam has penetrated
into the daily lives of those living there. Although there is a presence of
Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Jews on the peninsula, Islam remains the
state religion of the countries there.
Adding to religious differences is tribal identity. Last names
and the reputation of those names are much more significant than in
Pennsylvania. Tribal affiliation groups hundreds and even thousands of people
together. The power these tribes can produce when united has threatened
governments in previous history while also being used as a way to unite people
under a national leader. There are many
people in Pennsylvania with similar names coming from German and English roots
but do not mean enough to even strike up the idea of a
common identity.
Within Middle Eastern culture exists kinship norms that are
completely different from those found in Pennsylvania. Gender Spheres strictly
segregate Males and Females in everyday life in the Middle East. They are so
significant that intermingling with non related people of the opposite sex can
lead to a tainted reputation and severe social sanctions that can
reflect on the whole tribe.
More general differences exist between Pennsylvania and the
Arabian Peninsula. Geography and climate are the most obvious. The United
States is separated from the rest of the world thanks to the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans. Americans, including Pennsylvanians, do not get the ease of
traveling to a different country let alone a different continent as easily as
those living in the Arabian Peninsula. The cultural exchange found in the
Arabian Peninsula does not happen in the US as a result of our distance from
the other continents. Geographic location is the reason for climate differences
as well. The Middle East and especially on the Peninsula is very dry and marked
by deserts that get little rainfall. Resources taken for granted in Pennsylvania,
such as water, are considered security risks for countries in the Middle East.
Pennsylvania is known for its agriculture due to the wet climate that is
responsible for large amounts of arable land. However, Pennsylvania is
landlocked. Since the Arabian Peninsula is rich in hydrocarbons and has a very
large coastline, the climate and geography have been the reason for industries
such as fishing, oil, natural gas, and ocean commerce to grow.
Now to find a common ground on which to move off into a more understanding
between Middle Easterners and myself seems very difficult. Apart from reading
books on the Middle East and taking a few classes in college I have found out
through traveling and meeting new people in college and abroad that tolerance
and respect are key to any form of understanding.
Being genuine and tolerant to show someone from the Middle East that you respect
them is a simple way that can lead to a long lasting relationship. Friendship
is the perfect way to overcome the differences I discussed above. Friends will
be willing to teach you and will want to learn from you as well. The exposure
to new ideas, religion, and language present new things to learn. Another
way to overcome these barriers is to use the benefits of globalization.
American media is everywhere and it is in demand. Saudi Arabians can watch the
same cartoons and shows that Americans watch. It is not unusual to hear Eminem,
Akon, and other artists from the American Top 40 being played in Oman or the
UAE.
To fully gain a new perspective as well as to share one’s own is
to put a face to the differences. Educating oneself is critical but actually
meeting and talking to someone from the Middle East will instantly make the
learning more relevant.
