Middle Eastern Clothing and Customs Lesson #3

1. Describe “proper” attire for Americans (in public) 2. Describe “proper” attire for Americans (in home) 3. Is it different? 4. Why?

Which is not appropriate for school?

Why? How do you know? What if someone came in dressed like the girls in the bottom row? Is there a reason why this is considered inappropriate?

Women cover up for several reasons

Four schools of thought for women Cover Completely Cover head and body Cover head Dress modestly

Why do women cover at all? Do you think this is abusive? Is it unfair? Why do women have to cover up, but men don’t have to? Where does this custom come from?

Clothing in the Middle East Based on ancient customs & religion Women are to be respected and covered Both men and women should wear “loose” clothing Women should NEVER reveal their femininity FROM THE KORAN: (surah(surah 24:30–31) “…believing women should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments …except to their family…”

The covering of women Cover up feminism with a scarf called Hijab It is NOT Muslim, it’s cultural. The reason is for modesty – No man outside the family should ever see a woman’s femininity – If a man does, it’s an insult to the entire family Keeps men from fighting to protect women Many women see this as liberation Many “westerners” see it as a symbol for control over women. They see this as a form of slavery for women France even outlawed it…

Your opinion Do you think this is a sign of slavery of women? What if was a law that women must cover up, and men don’t, would it be an unjust law? Should the law NOT ALLOW for this style of dress? Should women be allowed to be covered in places where it’s considered not appropriate? Should we encourage the expression of culture? Or, should we, like France, see this as slavery and outlaw it? Should a Muslim woman in the military be allowed to wear this in place of normal military head covering?

women Cover up feminism (called ) Keeps men from fighting to protect women NiqabBurka Chador click

Men For comfort (cool in desert heat) Men hold hands with man friends (NEVER women) Gellabiya Keffiyeh

1. Describe “proper” eating customs for Americans (during holidays) 2. Describe “proper” eating customs for Americans (on a regular basis) 3. Holidays are “traditional”

Traditional Eating in Middle East With hands Right hand ONLY (or scoop with pita bread) Hospitality (always welcoming) On ground Do NOT show bottom of shoe

What Foods do you see?

Why is it proper to have only one spouse?

Why does PDA bother some people?

Social Norms Rare to see public drunkenness Rare to see PDA Rare to see or hear of crime VERY conservative Marriages seldom end in divorce Polygamy tolerated (4 wives in Islam) Turkish Coffee (very thick and lots of caffeine)

Changes in Iran

Iran – Rick Steves Describe Iran, according to this film