Facts and figures reveal that even their high quality of living is unsuccessful in bringing elements of happiness and joy to them.

The people of France today are suffering from un air somber (gloom) syndrome instead of joie de vivre (joy of living), in which they were before enriched. There is no one from outside who could be blamed from their misery and distraught as revealed in a research by a French scholar, and going to be presented to the Royal Economic Society in London next month. The study declares French culture as the root cause of depression and sadness prevailing among its people and says that the culture teaches them so.

According to Paris School of Economics’ professor Claudia Senik, the culture is the biggest hindrance in the way of French to enjoy happy living in accordance to their material well being.

French are lucky to have an affluent life style, Senik says. It is a welfare state with free availability of amenities of life including healthcare and education. With a working week of 35-hour, it is a great source of attraction for foreigners who dream to get the French nationality.

Even with so many blessings, French appear solemn. According to a recent WIN-Gallup poll, they are least interested in life than the people of Afghanistan or Iraq.

Excluding Finland, France is the only old European country where people are more inclined towards suicide – World Health Organization states. After road accidents, suicide is the second major death cause in France among the 15-44 year age group, and the first one among 30-39 years age group.

“French Paradox” reflecting riches can’t bring happiness can be best described by “psychological belief being taught in schools or social gatherings etc, especially at teenage”, Senik remarks.

Her deep factual study over this life satisfaction issue ends up saying that on average French is less happy from his living than any of his European fellow. Senik’s critical analysis also reveals that the people of France residing outside the country are less joyous than their native fellows; however, foreign residents are enjoying much happier living than the natives. Those foreigners who are residing in the country since long are also not as happy as the new immigrants.

Senik believes that there is something wrong within the French people, which is adversely affecting the
French people’s living ideologies and making them undergo depressive tendencies.

In 1970′s, the same low level satisfaction issue was raised. The theory that language could be a major reason for all this go is discredited and discarded by Senik; on the ground that French-speakers in Canada or Switzerland are not suffering anything like this and are happy like others.

Senik is sure that the French educational system can play an active role in bringing a positive attitude change in the thinking patterns of people from childhood if French people are really sincere to get their happiness back. Senik suggests that happiness policies should be properly applied to cut down the over influence of cultural setups. Implementing this ideology through education will be the best idea.

However, Senik’s study has led to a turbulent debate over the blogging world where unavoidably her own country fellows are left with question marks after the work got published in the country’s official language. Majority of the French national found it as a further proof of their country’s downfall with one blogger commenting that he is much aware about various less enriched countries and their unhappy natives, but they don’t bother it at all, and the other one commented that in the majority of the underdeveloped countries, people are still living quite joyously. The habitual complaining attitude is indeed not an admired philosophy to live.

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The United Kingdom (UK) is a multi-ethnic society which welcomes all individuals from different countries. The UK is consisted of four countries including England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Each country has its distinctive customs, traditions, cultures, religious features and various ways of living.

Cultures, traditions and religious features of communities living in the United Kingdom have a great impact on the diversified people. The United Kingdom welcomes refuges and migrants from different countries, many of them permanently settled in the UK.

It also represents many languages. The mostly spoken languages are South Asian languages which are Punjabi followed by Bengali, Urdu and Gujarati. All these diverse features of languages and religious characteristics help you to easily settle in any area and city in this unique countery.

Those facts allow any individual to perform his religious activities freely without any restrictions. Followers of different religions living there have an easy access to their religious places. For Muslim individuals living in the United Kingdom, there are more than 1500 actual working Mosques that allow them to perform their religious traditions.

There are main four types of communities including the Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. They all  have their religious places to worship such as churches for Christians, Mosques for Muslims, Sikh Temples, Buddhists, synagogues and Hindu places of worships. They usually live in shape of communities in order to provide better and good religious teachings to their children.

Lets discuss the features of these communities in detail. According to a report conducted in the United Kingdom in 2011, Islam is the second largest religion in the UK after Christianity. The total Muslim population recently living in the different cities of the UK had reached about 2.7 million which make 4.8% of the total population. The majority of Muslim population is living in Wales and England. There are various Islamic organizations for the help of Muslims including the British Muslim Forum, Islamic Society of Britain, Muslim Association of Britain, World Islamic Mission and various others.

According to the census conducted in 2011, it is suggested that about 558340 Hindus are living in the different cities. Majorities of Hindus are living in England and Wales while least amount of Hindus is settle in Scotland. There are more than 300 Hindus temples and various organizations in the United Kingdom for the help and religious features of Hindus.

Buddhists also make a large part of the overall population. They are small in number but growing with time. According to the report, there are about 152,000 registered Buddhists, and about 336179 Sikh individuals are living in the United Kingdom.

All these individuals of different religion living in the United Kingdom make different communities.

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I am running a freelance company to provide development, designing, seo and writing services.

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The Holy book “Qur’an” is the main root of the Arabic culture owing to the Arab’s religious, social, and moral teaching. And to the reality that Qur’an is valid for every place and age, and can keep pace with the essentials and the new evolution of all centuries.

Sunnah is the second primal root of the Arab-Islamic culture. Just as, Muslims depend on Qur’an as it recalls their scientific, intellectual and civilization renascence, they also trust the Sunnah of their Prophet Muhammad. After they had recorded, compiled, and divided it into chapters, and later they had committed it in their technological efforts & their path of life.

The Arab-Islamic culture, which came originally from Qur’an and Sunnah, is a large-minded culture which prophesies coexistence, understanding and dialogue. Arabs are loyal, polite, and generous. Arabs have a full cultural heritage.  Only take a view at their contributions to literature, religion, philosophy, medicine, art, sciences and mathematics, and a few of which were created by non-Arabs inhabiting within the Islamic Kingdom.

Arabians are a clearly specified cultural group, and Arabians are extremities of the Arabic Nation “Al-Umma Al-Arabia”.  Often Arabs will not state which country they are from, and if inquired, reply with “I am an Arab inhabitant”. The Arab inhabitants have been defrauded by the westerns; an extremely obvious example is the Israeli aggression on Palestine.

Foreigners feel that sometimes Arabians are difficult to realize, and the way they act is confusing; however, their actions are quite apprehensive – even predictable. It is crucial, though, to differentiate between individual traits and cultural patterns. Trying to simulate the Western culture will demoralize the Arabs society. Arabians are misconceived by the Westerners. Basically, most of people in the western countries are anti-Muslim and anti-Arab.

Social commitment is of great importance in the Arab culture. Family is among the most fundamental pillars of the Arab society.  While individuality, self reliance, and responsibility are tutored by American guardians to their children, family commitment is the greatest moral taught in Arab families. Unlike the intense individualism,  we find in North America where many individuals live for themselves, their single rights, and families going their own distant from relatives, Arab society stresses the greatness of the group. Arabic culture teaches that the benefits of the group are more significant than the benefits of one man.

Westerners tend to trust in the ability of the individual, the equivalence in personal  abilities, and the right of maintaining certain forms of privacy and control over what goes around in the world.  This belief has a solid reflection on what the Westerners believe about the Earth and how they act towards one another.

The Arabic culture is hugely different from the Western culture. Though Judaism and Christianity are religions based upon disclosures handed down by Almighty, the despotism in adhesion to the messages which were sent to the West for more than 1000 years ago has step by step evolved due to cultural pressures and a higher knowledge of the universe. However, the truth carried in those religious textbooks is right because they correspond with our perspective of reality without any contradiction.

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In the previous post, I began analyzing the Quran’s verse 14:31, in which we read: “Tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange, nor any friendships.” In order to proceed, let me recall what I’ve wrote… “According to Edward William Lane’s Arabic Lexicon, the primary signification of Arabic root بيع (bi’), that translates as exchange – and that’s nowadays used as meaning to sell, sale or being sold - is the exchanging, or exchange, of property; or the making an exchange with property. It may also be used in relation to someone that has gained the mastery over another. As for friendship, it is conveyed by root خل (khl), that also denotes habit, custom, social behaviour – as well as the filling with holes and vinegar.The two main features of vinegar is that it’s bitter, and is an astringent agent. A substance is said to be astringent roughly speaking when it tends to draw organic tissues together, an attribute whose name derives from Latin astringo, to draw close, to bind, to tighten. Interesting though it may seem, this same verb, when used metaphorically, meant to put under obligation, which is interesting indeed, since the sense of friendship in the Arabic root appears side by side with the notion of close connection, agreement in ideas, feelings, etc. But there’s coherence here – I mean, it is certainly not a coincidence to find vinegar and social behaviour side by side, because something similar happens with ثقف (thqf), a root that is the cradle of the Arabic word equivalent to English culture (ثقافة)… the same root that, when used in relation to vinegar, means very acid… Besides this, we find one other meaning that is becoming familiar: to have the mastery over.”
I wish to expatiate a bit more on astringency, the tendency some substances have of drawing tissues together, and that has in styptic one other name. This word derives from Latin stypsis, meaning the contracting power; itself a derivation from Greek stuys, contraction, astringency. Originally, the Latin verb contraho had this same sense, that is, to draw several things together, assemble, and generally used as a synonym for colligo, from where Portuguese got coligação, similar to English coallition. These two words are commonly used in relation to the alliance, or union, between political parties, but in a wider sense they both point to temporary alliances that have come into being for the fulfillment of a specific purpose. It is interesting to know that this notion is present in contraho as well. In fact, the verb was used figuratively in the language of business to denote to make a contract. As you’ve already noted, contract derives from this same verb we’ve been analyzing. By contract is meant not only an agreement but one that is enforceable by law, which ultimately means that if one of the parts fails to fulfill it, there’s compensations that ought to be made.
The word translated as spend is conveyed by the Arabic root نفق (nfq), that tells us about that which is easy to be sold – hence, something in much demand; and this is why it is used to describe a market as being brisk . One other meaning is tunnels, that is, artificial underground passages, or channels – a meaning that seems to have derived from the fact that the root denotes the holes excavated by rats.
In the previous post, I’ve suggested looking at custom as a channel collecting water and conveying them to a single place for a specific purpose. The market is one of the best known symbols of a place of assembly. There’s many words to name it, but I wish to focus on conciliabulum, Latin name for a place of assembly, a public place – especially a place for public traffic, hence marketplace. The word is akin to conciliatio, a connection, union; a sense that through figurative use came to denote the making friendly. As for the verbal form, concilio, it meant to bring several objects into a whole, to unite – as well as to purchase, acquire; and friendly. Not all these meanings, especially not the one dealing with traffic, managed to be preserved in English conciliate, that seems to have preferred to transform itself in a synonym of to pacify. In fact, the English word is generally used as meaning to appease, to try to reconquer friendship by pleasant behaviour – so, in general, it converges to the notion of overcoming the sense of distrust or animosity. But perhaps there’s some transaction here… As I’ve said in another place, nothing is capable of effacing the traces of its own origin, and so the word does maintain the image of the marketplace… In a very subtle way, our modern way of looking at conciliation preserves the idea of a transaction that’s being made.
Let us know see what رزق (rzq) will tell us. That’s the root being translated as provided, and its main meaning is means of subsistence in general. One other meaning is a thing from which one derives advantage, which seems to be logical, as means of subsistence embrace everything having to do with food, nourishment, whereby creatures are able to subsist. And as feeding is a sort of daily obligation, the root also denotes a daily allowance of food – that is, the fixed amount considered to be sufficient for the creature’s subsistence; in other words, a daily ration. Although we do not in general pay much attention to it so natural it seems to us, the fact is that feeding is a basic act that’s common to all living organisms. And despite the fact that we tend to see living organisms as creatures, or animals, the fact is that even the sun has its daily ration of food. The same way we need victuals to keep ourselves alive, the sun is dependent on the existence of hydrogen to keep its fusion into helium. Why am I talking about the sun? It is simply to stress the idea that everything in the universe is forced to have to have some sort of energy in order to be able to hope to be present when tomorrow arrives. But the word ration inspires me something else… as it derives from Latin ratio, from where we ourselves inherited reason, I think that when God exorths believers to spend of that which He has provided them with, He is also exhorting us to think – which takes us back to vinegar… When analyzing خل, in 14:31 – “Tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange, nor any friendships.” -  translated as friendship, we’ve seen that it alluded to the filling with holes, a meaning that is akin to something having interstices, breaks. According to the root, this fact seems to be in relation to that which is loose, unfirm, or defective, and that is why it denotes looseness, laxness. This seems to be in contradiction with vinegar being an astringent… but the point is that vinegar’s astringency is very limited, as it only works when applied externally. When in need to confine the bowels, for instance, vinegar is of no help at all, and so one will have to ingest an astringent medicine – and this is exactly what we find in عقل, a root that means both an astringent and the capacity of thinking and understanding – that is, reason.
[to be continued…]

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In the previous articles, I’ve tried to show why custom seems to be such an important aspect of culture. An overview of all that’s been written shows that we may see custom as the practical side of culture, this meaning that it is directly connected with actions, ways of proceeding – or, in a word, with conduct; a general conduct followed by the majority of the members of any given human culture. In general, conduct is synonym with behavior, that is, the peculiar shape assumed by an individual, or group’s actions. The sense we tend to attribute to conduct  originates in Latin verb conduco, a verb which is interesting to observe as it will allow us to perceive the peculiar nature of conduct from one very different perspective.
As a synonym of behaviour, conduct is a word that may be used in relation to both individual and group actions. Anyway, from its very origin, the Latin verb from where it derives, conduco, meant to lead, collect, assemble together, with a special focus on the intensity of this assembling, so much so that it also meant to unite. This verb owes its existence to being a contraction with one other verb: duco, to conduct, bring forward. When used with the words road or way, it alluded to their leading, or guiding, to some place. Let us now try to assimilate these notions into our modern way of looking at conduct.
The idea that most interests me is the one having to do with conduct as a being guided along a road that seems to lead to a place where something collects. To say it in other words,  we’re invited to look at custom as being a channel, a conduit collecting water and driving it to one specific place. When looked at this way, custom seems to be much less of a personal option than of a common acquiescence to follow a way that has been previously prepared, and that serves as a means for conveying something. Please keep this verb in mind: to convey. Would you say that behavior has anything to do with transporting? If the answer is no, then think twice. The verb to transport derives from porto, meaning to bear, convey or carry along – which is also the source of comportamento, the Portuguese equivalent of English comport, meaning to bear oneself in a specific way.
Custom may then be seen as a way commonly used – a sort of thoroughfare – to convey some kind of merchandise. We still do not know what’s being conveyed, but we now know that individual behavior, as well as group behavior, is lead through that common road, which means that, in general, custom is just another way of naming a conduct to which individuals are drawn together. This kind of behavior is not the same that arises from an individual’s own decision; quite the opposite: this is the behavior following previously established roads – a channel collecting water that is not flowing freely; a conduit that will lead that water to a place where it will fulfill a purpose. If we accept this new face of custom, then we’ll have to see it as a procedure – in other words, as a series of of established forms or methods that are conducted in a specific way to achieve one specific result.

I do not wish to focus on what the result may be; but I do wish to emphasize that when one follows a procedure, that is, one is surrendering the possession of something that one owed. This is not a personal opinion. This is a fact that can be witnessed in the Latin word from where procedure derives. No doubt that procedo points to a going forwards, to an advancing – but, according to cedo, the verb from where procedo was generated, the direction of that motion – that is, the advancing -  was gained at the expenses of the yielding, giving preference, submitting to something, someone, that is superior. In English, as well as in Portuguese, the verb to cede is sometimes used as a synonym of to give up, surrender. So it seems that custom is founded on a rather puzzling scheme: the individual’s transference of a possession to the group – which is nothing more than an alienation. If I define alienation as a turning away, estrangment, you’ll probably think that I’m rendering things a bit obscure, as you not only do not see any relation between custom and estrangement – but, what’s more, they seem to be the opposite of each other… This apparent obscurity will vanish as soon as I tell you that I’m using the word alienation in its original meaning, as conveyed by Latin alienatio: the transferring of something owned to the possession of another so as to make it his legal property. We find something similar in cedo, as this was the verb used in relation to a debtor that handed over his property instead of payment. Perhaps the transference enunciated by alienatio had something to do with this, as the word was also embeded with the sense of a desertion, aversion, as well as, in relation to the mind, loss of reason. Anyway, this discomfort that shows in the word was somehow mitigated in its verbal form, alieno, that kept the idea of making something the property of another, while adding the notion of the transference of property through sale, and so nowadays, its Portuguese derivative, alienar, means to transfer to other’s possession through sale, exchange, donation, etc…  Anyway, as nothing, and no one, is capable of effacing the traces of its own origin, alienar keeps on meaning to hallucinate, grow mad as well.
We read in the Qu’ran: “Tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange, nor any friendships. (14:31). According to Edward William Lane’s Arabic Lexicon, the primary signification of Arabic root بيع (bi’), that translates as exchange – and that’s nowadays used as meaning to sell, sale or being sold - is the exchanging, or exchange, of property; or the making an exchange with property. It may also be used in relation to someone that has gained the mastery over another.
As for friendship, it is conveyed by root خل (khl), that also denotes habit, custom, social behaviour – as well as the filling with holes and vinegar. The two main features of vinegar is that it’s bitter, and is an astringent agent. A substance is said to be astringent roughly speaking when it tends to draw organic tissues together, an attribute whose name derives from Latin astringo, to draw close, to bind, to tighten. Though it may seem strange, this same verb, when used metaphorically, meant to put under obligation, which is interesting indeed, since the sense of friendship in the Arabic root appears side by side with the notion of close connection, agreement in ideas, feelings, etc. But probably there’s coherence here – I mean, it is perhaps not a coincidence to find vinegar and social behaviour side by side, because something similar happens with ثقف (thqf), a root that is the cradle of the Arabic word equivalent to English culture (ثقافة)… the same root that, when used in relation to vinegar, means very acid… Besides this, we find one other meaning that is becoming familiar: to have the mastery over.
[to be continued]

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Every one of us is born in a peculiar environment, which makes us a part of the content filling the enormous vessel called culture. Like any other container, this vessel has its own shape, allowing it to differ from all other vessels. Anyway, they have something in common: each one has its own place in the planet, and if one tool existed to measure this, we could attribute it a latitude and a longitude – that is, specific numbers that would allow it to be identified, and found, in one single spot of ground in Planet Earth. But although lacking coordinates, these vessels are, in fact, like countries, with their own borders marking  the limits within which a specific identity has managed to settle itself throughout the centuries. And as no container was made to be left empty, so these vessels have their own content – a content that, as is usually the case, adopts the container’s shape. The content is regularly emptied, at the same time that it is filled regularly: everyday people die and everyday babies are born to keep the vessel alive. Like any vessel, culture embraces every single creature that is born in every single spot in the planet, no creature being allowed to be left out of this tightly closed system. Human creatures are the ones that need to be taken care of longer before they actually start to live on their own. During that period, they are in general part of the vessel’s content, and after that period, some manage to leave the vessel; and the fact that they’re at the outside allows them to more clearly identify some of the characteristic features of the vessel’s shape – and this is when questions arise; or, to say it in a better way, that is when questions are made possible to arise.

The detachment from one’s own culture is essential to being able to question it. This detachment is dependent on the existence of something that I think is of great importance: humbleness. Are ourselves, as individuals, immune to error? Are ourselves, as individuals, capable of analyzing and qualifying our own conduct, thoughts, and  so on? If no individual is immune to error, then no human aggregate whatsoever is immune to error, then no culture is perfect, then every culture is susceptible of being questioned.
As far as my cultural background is concerned, one of the things I question is the logic behind some automated behaviors that I find in Portugal. The Portuguese cultural background, to which all Portuguese are exposed – the vessel, that is -  is closely interconnected with Christian religion since the early beginnings of Portuguese history, which means that it’s entangled with the country’s own identity. And this explains why the Christian religion is still part of Portuguese culture in the 21st century – and when I say that “Christian religion is part of Portuguese culture” I want to emphasize that it permeates several aspects of peoples’ lives, aspects that because of being deemed as part of, lead to some common, unquestioned automated behaviors. Nowadays, priests are worried because church attendance is declining, but this does not seem to be an indicator that Christian religion set of ritualized formalities is being abandoned. In fact, although not considering themselves believers, young people still like to get married in churches, and when they have children, most of them are still baptized. So, basically, despite being inspired by Christian religion these behaviors don’t have anything to do with religious belief.  Maybe what I’ve just described is not happening only in Portugal; perhaps it’s present in every culture, in one way or another.

In the first paragraph, I’ve used the large vessel as a metaphor to help me share with you my perspective on culture, but I’ll now put the metaphor apart to try an define the noun culture as the term used to denote distinct manners of doing things that allows for distinction between social groups, large or small. So, if culture is a means of creating – thus distinguishing – social groups, does this mean that culture separates? And if individuals are part of strictly limited geographical groups, does this mean that culture unites?
[to be continued]

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It is not possible to dissociate culture from custom. The noun custom may be roughly defined as a common practice followed by members of a regional group. But this definition is insufficient as it does not include one of its most important traits: the fact that being an usual practice is what allowed custom to be an established convention. As I think that many benefits will come from our being able of analyzing five specific words that are present in the previous sentences, I’ll now invite you to join me in the dissection of the following concepts: dissociated, custom, usual, practice, and convention.

The verb to dissociate means to break or cause to break the association between two or more things. It derives from Latin dissocio, meaning to separate from fellowship, to disunite. The verb was formed with socio, to join together, to do in common, to share a thing with another; kindred with socius, partner, comrade, companion. This is from where English got associate as well as society.
The noun custom is defined as a common, usual practice followed by members of a regional group. The English word has its origin in Latin consuetudo, that besides meaning a being accustomed to a use, usage, customary manner, also denoted companionship, familiarity.
The adjective usual is applied to that which is expected or familiar as its occurrence is frequent and regular, which also pointing to what is in accordance with ordinary practice or procedure. The English word derives from Latin usus, meaning the employment of anything; experience, discipline and skill acquired by practice; and custom. Besides this, what’s really interesting in usus is that, through the idea of the advantage derived from that which is done repeatedly thus allowing for the emergence of experience and skill, the word saw its meaning being transferred to that of utility, benefit, profit, advantage.
The noun practice not only points to the act of doing something but also to an usual, customary action or way of proceeding, clearly implying repetition.
The last word of the list is convention. I’ve used this word to denote the commonly accepted procedure or practice within a group. In other words, I see a convention as something that a group has decided to accept – hence having been established not because of an inherent logic, but because of general agreement within the group. If taking a look at the original Latin word conventio, we find it meaning a meeting; and agreement or compact. This word is akin with verb convenio, to come, meet together, metaphorically used to denote the agreeing with in wishes, decisions, etc, thus becoming synonym with to harmonize. Besides this, the verb is also the origin of modern convenience, that is, usefulness, advantageous to one’s purposes, needs, etc – all meanings that point out to that which is appropriate, that is, suitable for a particular person, group, place or condition, or for achieving a particular end.
Now that dissection is concluded – in other words, now that the separation of some of the component parts of the sentences have been achieved, I’ll try to assemble it all over again.

Through custom, culture strengthens the sense of companionship between the elements of the group. Custom is the practice that through repetition by its elements comes to be usual. This sharing of an usual practice develops familiarity between individuals helping in the cohesion of the group. Besides this, the fact that the practice becomes usual as also to do with the fact that the doing it regularly ensures benefits to both individuals and the group. The possibility that individuals have of deriving advantages from an usual, common practice amidst a group, lies at the very heart of the legitimacy assigned to culture and custom as a whole.

Seen from the outside, culture is the result of a bond that has drawn individuals together. But it’s better to take a closer look at the inside, in order to understand the true nature of that bond. Our material words derives its existence from the subsistence of several kinds of forces that are able to draw distinct parts together. Nothing exists as a whole; everything is the result of a composition of parts brought together by means of forces that are immune to control. Water is probably the most incredible composition on earth: a molecule made of atoms of oxygen and hydrogen, two gases united by means of chemical bonds that give origin to a liquid whose elasticity defies all imagination. Water is seldom defined as the source of life – and I’m mentioning it because, like everything else in our known universe, water derives its existence from the existence of a means of bonding distinct, separated parts. And just as everything in the universe, in order to be able to establish themselves, human institutions are as well dependent on the existence of forces capable of uniting individuals. I use the term force as defined by physics, that is, the external influence that when acted on any object compels it to change state, velocity, direction or form. Without an external influence, individuals could be described as being inert. Once again, I’m following the language of physics that describes inertia as a property of matter defining the tendency of a body to maintain its sate of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. So, basically, custom is the external force acting upon individuals, driving them to establish a bond based on a specific practice through which all, in one way or another, expect to achieve a particular end.

[to be continued]

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This nation’s life style is purely conditioned through sturdy affiliation to Islamic custom. Islam is the official religion and strict measures are taken so that people follow it. However, minorities have freedom to follow their religion and beliefs without any compression. The UAE Government ensures that everyone is allowed to follow their religion without any external pressure. An appropriate understanding level between the people is established which is the best thing about it.

Almost all the citizens of UAE are Muslims. Majority of the Muslims belong to sunni sect while other belong to the shia sect. There is a strong hold of tribes and people follow the rules and regulations set by the head of the tribe.
The capital of UAE is Abu Dhabi where over 42% of the people reside. However, the largest city is Dubai which is the main source of attraction due to trade activities. This city has developed and is considered as one of the highly developed cities in the world. Lately the population here has doubled due to the people coming from other countries in search of jobs. People living here enjoy air conditioned apartments as the weather gets blazing hot. This throws light on the standard of living provided by the government to ensure people are provided with their basic needs.
United Arab Emirates Languages
The official language of the country is Arabic but one can find some other languages spoken here as well. English, Urdu, Hindi and Farsi are also broadly spoken in the country. You will find a lot of variation in the dressing of the people. Men mostly wear western dresses however there are people who still follow their  traditional clothing only. You will see women wearing hijab or burkah that cover their whole body.
United Arab Emirates Foods
You will find the taste of other countries in the food here. People living in UAE are fond of eating and they like the local cuisine a lot. The use of juices is very common in the country due to its hot weather. Meat is liked by majority of the people which is often served with rice and special kind of sauce.
United Arab Emirates Clothing
Here, people follow the dress code proposed by Islam. You will find women covering their whole body with hijab, abbayah or burkah. This country has developed a lot and it is close to Islam and its teachings.
United Arab Emirates Sports
Falconry, camel race and soccer are the most favorite games of the people living here. Special tournaments are arranged for these games.
Life Style
People here are very close to their traditions and Islam. Though a lot of progress has been made in the recent years but still you will find women abide by their traditional dress code. This country is a source of attraction for the people who are in search of jobs or are looking for a vacation.

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As a Muslim, we always claim that we fully understand what is expected from us by our religion and its rules and regulations. However, it is quite unfortunate that we most of the time do not even know what is allowed and disallowed in our religion. This is also the reason of our not understanding what the religion wants us to practice and why. So, it is our utmost duty to get a better understanding about the religion and understand how this would contribute to the rewarding promised to us by the almighty Allah.

If we want to keep things pretty simple and also limit the discussion to the point, we need to know the basics about our religion and Muslim culture. This article intends to the blessings and rahmat promised to us by Allah in this coming month of Ramadan and also the virtue of a special act in this month named as Itikaf. This special religious act is of special virtue and is needed to be performed while residing inside a Mosque by a group of people.

By the name of Mosque you should already get an idea about the holiness and sacredness of the task. However, there is some common conclusion that usually the people doing Itikaf can have a greater way of doing their religious activities and prayers with greater impact. Which is in fact quite true as the person who is doing Itikaf in the holy month of fasting or Ramadan, is eligible to offer salat for the people attending the salat prayers at mosques and therefore can achieve an amazing reward that increases the virtue of salat for him by 27 times. Since he is away from any earthly matter for a few days, it is even possible for him to do the whole praying act with complete devotion and full peace of mind.

Again, the people who are not doing Itikaf and staying at home can obviously do all the religious acts and prayers that a person doing Itikaf can do. However he cannot definitely join the peaceful congregation like him and might always be rushing towards the mosque for saying prayer. Therefore, the expected consistency and devotion towards salat will be missing in him.

Therefore, Itikaf is absolutely necessary in the holy month of Ramadan as it makes it really easy for a person to concentrate fully on the prayers and employ the required devotion for Allah. The person doing Itikaf is called a Mutakif and he can solely devote himself to the almightly Allah as he breaks all the ties from the outside world and can induslge completely in saying prayers and worshipping the holy creator.

Allah has announced special rahmat and blessing for the Mutakif who are doing this sacrifice only for the sake of their love towards Allah and Islam. May Allah bless them all.

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Arab Culture is one of the most ancient cultures currently existing in the world. The Arab countries situated in North Africa to Western Asia are the ones where this culture is practiced. The art, food, literature, language, architecture, spirituality and philosophy of the Arab world are representative of the rich Arab culture. This old culture is a reformed version of the most civilized group pf human beings originating in Iraq, the land where agricultural activities were first introduced.

Language:

Arabic language is the sixth language spoken in the Arab countries and although the same language is spoken all over, the dialects of the language vary throughout the countries. Since all the Islamic documents and the holy book Quran is written in this language, this language is also widely practiced all over the Muslim world. This language is a part of the cultural heritage in these countries and also the Muslim world.

Arabic Literature:

Arab literature is a polite, gentle form of written expressions by the Arab people. The trend of the current Arab literature basically emerged in the 6th century and before that, not a lot of written literature can be found in the Arab land. The holy book of Al Quran from the 7th century has the greatest effect on all over Arabic literature and also Arab culture. One of the most popular literature piece from Arab literature is ‘1001 Arab Nights’ that had proclaimed world fame in the later years. There are many famous poets and novelists in Arab literature who are well known in the history of world literature because of their writing strength and grasp of imaginative creativity.

Another famous piece of Arabic literature is Mu’allaqat (المعلقات) which is basically the name of a series of seven qasisda (poem in Arabic language)that was written before the Islamic reign. The word Mu’allaqat refers basically to hanging poems and this name was given as they were hung in the wall of Mecca’s Kaaba sharif, the well regarded place for the Muslim and many other religions in the Arab world.

Currently, the cultural form is Arab lands is greatly impacted by Islam and the culture of Arab basically represents the culture of the whole Muslim world. The lifestyles defined by the Holy Quran and other regulations set by Islam governs the cultural formation and the lifestyles of the Arab people across the Arab countries. Since alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam and also the forms of entertainment that includes of revelation of women, these practices are not allowed in contemporary Arab culture. Although Arabian women are allowed to study and educate themselves, in many Arab countries where Islam is strictly followed Women are not free to move without the allowed male companions. In the recent years, many Arab countries, especially Qatar and United Arab Emirates being the communication point between the West, East and also the Arab countries, the culture have taken a diverse direction. However, Islam is still a core to all Arab culture enhancing polite yet firm attitude towards the Arabian life style.

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If you want to Learn Islamic Culture, you ought to know about the term of Islamic Culture and its peculiarities first.  Culture is known in Arabic Language “SAQAFAT’ that is derived from the word “SAQAF” that mean sagaciousness or rationalism in real to train or to educate or to overcome any of the deficiency.

Different Philosophers define it in different ways. Ragib Ali Beroti expresses that culture is the complete and proper way of correction, which appear in human being on a climax. T.S Eliot describes that culture is the name of literary sophistication that relates to any specific person who enjoys pinnacle. Bishop Wilson concluded that culture is the name of struggle had for sagaciousness and the will of Allah. Matthew Arnold defines that culture is name of climax had in any of the techniques that is achieved by untiring effort of the earth dwellers.

To Learn Islamic Culture, you must understand where it starts from. It starts from the life span, education and training of the Holy prophet (PUBUH) who spent the whole life to reform the people and their mode of lives and brought humanity to the climax that is the real reflection of Islamic Culture.  The circle of Islamic Culture is limited up to the Holy Qur’an. The human being remains indifferent because of the Holy Quran, his style, manner, his company, sittings and leading the way of life totally is well mannered. When keeping himself saved from non-sacred and violent things he shows his good manners here starts the Islamic Culture.

Belief in Oneness keeps a fundamental place in Islamic culture; means Kalima Tayyab is considered the start of Islamic Culture, by recitation of the same Kalima the human being become the member of the Islamic Society and culture. This is the reflection of a culture when one accepts the Oneness and acts upon all the commandments of Islam with its genuine right and is shown in different from other races by being pious.

After the belief in the Oneness of Allah, the most important point is Risalat (Apostle Hood). Every Muslim should follow all the saying and doings of Holy prophet as Allah has said in the Holy Quran that “Indeed you are the statue of morality”. It is to ponder over when the Holy prophet is the statue on the Morality right from there the Islamic Culture starts. When the concept of doomsday comes in the minds of the Muslim he determines himself not to commit such type of Sins, cruelty, or any other bad thing that may cause other Muslims troublesome and that is the actual requirement of Islamic Culture that strengthen the Muslim to have good deeds.

In the eyes of Islam human being has got three degrees; Supreme in Creature, Prostrated by Malaik and the representative of Allah. That reward makes him to prostrate and bow down before Allah and become pious one as Allah has said the nearest amongst you is who is more pious.

Culture means sagaciousness and rationalism and correction of the deeds, when you compare that these all things are found in Islam to greater extent therefore the Islamic Culture is qualitative in characteristics.

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Now a question that Islamic culture is inherently intolerable is a topic of intense polemics in the western world, it needs still further inquiry and deeper deliberation into the Islamic history, prevailing Islamic culture of the past and the first Islamic society. In fact, Islamic history, since the death of the Holy Prophet [PBUH], received heavy blows when hypocrites who wanted to have their tribe dominant came into power through political maneuvering devoid of morality and Islamic values.

The values laid down by the holy Prophet [PBUH] demands that head must be an elected one but superior to others not only in courage, bravery, tolerance but also in knowledge and intellect. This went wrong shortly after the death of the Messenger of God. A dark night of dictatorial regime set on the Arabic world that spread beyond its borders up to present day Spain and even crept into India after that. Though Islamic culture thrived, but Islamic morality suffered. It is also necessary to see that Arabic culture must be separated from the Islamic culture which have several commonalities between them. For example Arabs were naturally brave, eloquent and hospitable. Islam also laid emphasis on the same qualities. Arabic culture was enshrined in tolerance as the Jews and Christians used to visit Mecca and Medina, though now they are forbidden.

The Holy Prophet [PBUH] first came into direct social contact with the Jews when the Muslims won the status of a dominant force in Medina after winning their first war. However, when Muhammad [PBUH] signed the Charter of Medina with the Jews, specifying that both communities would have full freedom to exercise their religious ritual, but would help each other in danger, it got clear that the Islamic culture being brought by the Holy Prophet [PBUH] was not only tolerant in nature, but also ensured full religious freedom. Every individual of both the communities have full religious freedom to act likewise.

There is also an instance that once Christians came to meet the holy Prophet [PBUH] and thy stayed in the mosque, the major center of the Muslim activities in Medina. They were treated with honor and respect. As far as the present day persecution of the other minorities in Islamic countries is concerned, it is neither compatible with the Islamic values nor with the Islamic culture. Just take the example of India 200 years ago, where a minatory of Muslims ruled India for four hundred years and that too very successfully. There were sometime communal rites but they were almost insignificant.

Moreover, Islam itself has stressed upon the Islamic government to respect and ensure rights of the other communities similarly as it is done for the Muslim citizens. To bar the members of other communities from taking part in their religious rituals or to stop them from taking part in the social activities or to ostracize them altogether has never been an Islamic practice, nor has it been propagated by any leading Muslim scholar. We can simply say that it could be the work of some local clerics having no knowledge of Islamic values nor teachings; otherwise, Islam has nothing to do with it. Even the holy Koran specifies the killing of an individual as the killing of entire humanity and this “individual” has not been associated with any religion. Hence this senseless killing of any minority community member in any Muslim state could be the handiwork of some outfits, not of the Islamic culture or teaching and Islam deserves better appreciate than condemnation that is often unleashed by some western scholars and writers alike.

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Looking to learn the Muslim culture? If yes, you have reached to a right place. Here, we are going to explore this topic in detail. Islam has revolutionized all the aspects of life. The word culture refers to the development and cultivation of mind. Islamic culture is very much distinguished from others. This is because the objective of other cultures is to cultivate and develop the minds of small population such as citizens of one country or continent however, the purpose and objective of Islamic culture is to cultivate and develop the minds of the entire human race, and this is how the Islamic culture is different from other cultures.

The Islamic culture is originated from the Holy Qur’an as well as the Sunnah of Holy Prophet P.B.U.H. Those trying to understand and learn the Muslim culture will find it unique and different from others in many ways.

Islamic culture is incomparable in terms of its scope as it is the only culture which is universal irrespective of race, gender, color, ethnicity and geographic location. The main purpose of Islamic culture is to develop the human minds socially, spiritually as well as economically. The life of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H and his companions is an adequate proof that the Islamic culture possesses all the qualities required for success.

Now let us have a quick look over some distinctive features of Islamic culture. It would be immensely beneficial for those looking to learn Muslim culture. The main and most obvious distinction in Islamic culture is the eating difference. Muslims eat only Halal food that is food, which is not prohibited by Islamic scriptures. Similarly, there is no space for traditional music in Islamic culture; Muslims are allowed only to hear the recitation of the Holy Quran as well as nasheed without any musical instruments. Similarly, Muslims are instructed to take special care of their clothes, Muslims are allowed to take only modes clothes. Islam is strictly against immodesty and immodest clothes.

Another thing that needs to be understood properly by those looking to learn Muslim culture is the aspect of traditions and customs. There are numerous misconceptions regarding this issue. Islam only prohibits following the customs and traditions of non-Muslims such as Jews, Christian, and Hindu etc. Islam does not prohibit the local or national traditions at all for instance the celebration of national day or any other domestic event is perfectly permissible in Islam. However, Islam do prohibit the celebrations of Chrisms or New Year night as one is the religious day of Christian and the other one involve a lot of obscenity. This was a brief account of Islamic culture; hopefully it would be immensely beneficial for those looking to learn Muslim culture.

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It's back to school for hundreds of Kirklees bobbies as they take a lesson in Islamic culture. Around 300 frontline officers will take part in 'myth-busting' training designed to help them better understand the Muslim communities they serve.

Acting Chief Insp Adrian Waugh said: "We want to make sure that our officers have a full understanding of the diverse communities they serve on a daily basis. Our aim is always to treat everyone fairly and by taking part in the training, it gives our officers the knowledge and awareness to deal with people professionally and courteously while dealing with different religions and cultures."

Kirklees Faith Network has designed a 90 minute cultural awareness programme for the police at no cost to the force after the success of an similar scheme in 2009. That scheme earned commendations from the then divisional commander, Chief Supt John Robins.

Faith network volunteer Waseem Riaz said: "These sessions are not designed to propagate the Islamic faith. They're designed to give a basic introduction into the Muslim culture for staff engaging with different sections of the community. It's myth-busting work."

Dewsbury Reporter, 29 May 2012

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Egypt’s Culture 

The culture of Egypt like its history shows diversity and influence of many foreign countries. Having history of 5000 years, Egypt ‘s vast and rich culture constitutes an important element in the life of the country, which reflects the different colorful shades of history and of the earliest civilizations.

From language to literature and from arts to music and dance, the value of cultural diversity cannot be underestimated. The ancient Egyptian language belongs to the family of Afro-Asiatic languages and was among the first written languages known by the hieroglyphic signs inscribed on the monuments and papyrus sheets.

The present Arabic language is the gift of Arabs to the Egypt during their invasion in 7th century. Of the many Arabic varieties, Egyptian Arabic is the second most widely spoken dialect throughout the Arabic speaking world. Beside of the official language, there are other languages also that are spoken by the minority ethnic groups.

The oldest Egyptian literature in Egypt’s culture is known as the Pyramid Texts. Broadly literature of Egypt is divided into two parts: religious literature and secular literature. Religious literature is all about the various hymns dedicated to gods and its mortuary texts. Whereas Secular literature includes the wisdom texts i.e. forms of philosophical instruction. In Egypt history Middle Kingdom period was considered as the golden age of Egyptian literature.

One major change in the literature of Egypt’s culture  occurred during the Greco-Roman period. It was the period when certain Egyptian literature masterpieces were translated into other languages and Greco-Roman literature fused with the native writing style. One example of this fusion is the Rosetta Stone-a masterpiece of Egyptian Literature. The great city of Alexandria became the main center of literature culture of Egypt.

The wall paintings of the Pharaohs era were the earliest examples of art form developed in  Egypt’s culture.However they lacked linear perspective. Modern and contemporary Egyptian art is much better in perspective manner on world art scene. Similarly Egyptian music is a mixture of Egyptian, Arabic, African and Western influences. Before 7th century AD, harps and flutes are the two indigenous instruments of music in Egypt. But a wave of change occurred after the arrival of Arabs that brought with them the Percussion and Vocal music. Egyptian Pop music is now a part of Egypt culture while the folk music is also popular but is played only during the wedding ceremony or festivities.

Beside of the art and literature section, there is one more section of  Egypt’s culture that is different from the formers but win hearts by its flavor and taste i.e. Cuisine. Egyptian Cuisine shares many dishes with the neighboring countries but yet it tastes totally different. Mashed fave beans are considered as the national dish of the Egypt. Breads are the major part of main courses. Kebab and Kofta, usually of lamb meat, chops & minced meat are the other popular dishes.

The Egypt’s culture has thousands of years of recorded history. Ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilizations. For millennia, Egypt maintained a strikingly complex and stable culture that influenced later cultures of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. After the Pharaonic era, Egypt itself came under the influence of Hellenism, for a time Christianity, and later, Islamic culture. Today, many aspects of Egypt’s ancient culture exist in interaction with newer elements, including the influence of modern Western culture.

Egypt the country of ancient civilization and pyramids is among one of the main attractions of this world. The land of ancient wonders stimulates thousands of travelers each year to explore this country.

Travel information to Egypt mainly consists of information related to history, geography, religion, culture and tourist attractions. Egypt travel guide give the respective information about the country necessary before heading to Egypt.

Located in the northeastern part of African continent, Egypt is bordered by Israel in northeast, by Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the east and by Sudan in the south. Libya resides in west of the Egypt. Dominated by Nile River and Eastern and Western deserts, Egypt has total area of 1,001.450 km sq, populated by around 79 million people.

Divided into 27 governorates, Egypt’s official name is Arab Republic of Egypt and the capital city is Cairo. Cairo is not only the capital of this second most populous country of African continent but also the major destination of Egypt. Other popular destinations include Alexandria, Giza, Aswan, Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh and many more.

But it is the history of Egypt that makes it most attractive and interested to explore. Egypt well known for its history, is home of one of the ancient civilizations of this world and also contain one of the seven wonders of the world-the Pyramids. Apart from these two gems the  Egypt’s culture also features ancient temples, monuments and world famous ancient cities.

Like history and geography, religion of Egypt also show diversity and plays central role in demographically division of Egypt. About 85% of the total populations of Egypt are the adherents of Islam. Among the others remaining Christianity is the main religion. Beside of the religion, Egyptians are the largest ethnic group residing in Egypt along with other minorities including Bedouin Arab, Berber speaking Siwis, ancient Nubian communities and many others.

 Egypt’s culture  is the ultimate result of historical diversity of this country. From music to arts and from literature to festivals all represent the true spirit of foreign influence along with the native effect. From the fertile Nile river valley to the Great Sand Sea and from the temple of Karnak to temple of Hathor and from the Sinai Mountain to the Tiran island Egypt present the perfect picture of sightseeing scattered all over the country

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