GENDER RELATIONS IN ARAB-SPEAKING WORLD

Connections 9.3

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

How are men and women treated in Arab-speaking cultures related to Islam?

How are women trying to modernize in Arab speaking cultures?

What are cultural dimensions of the Arab culture?

ACTIVATING

Islamic Values – Poetry Activity Group 1 = Adawiyya Group 2 = Rumi Group 3 = iqbal Group 4 = Arabi Group 5 = Ozak Group 6 = Seder Group 7 = al Horoun Group 8 = al Shafi Classic Poems http://www.islamicedfoundation.com/material.htm What values does your poem seem to be espousing? As a class we will create a master list on chart paper of the values

described by your poems.

CONNECTING

How much Arabic do you speak? How much Arabic do you speak

worksheet Make sure to underline any words you

think may have an Arabic connection Once you receive the answer sheet,

answer the two questions. Are you surprised that English speaking

cultures use Arabic words?

CONNECTING

Islamic dress code Anyone traveling to an Arab country will

notice the different dress code. In this activity, you will learn about the dress code for men and women.

The class will be divided into 4 groups, each group will research the topic of the Islamic dress code using the resources provided and prepare a two page paper explaining the types of dress of Muslim men and women.

CONTINUED

The paper at a minimum should include the following points: 1) the religious basis of the dress code 2) the dress code for men explaining the names and types of dress 3) the dress code for women explaining the names and types of dress 4) how do the dress codes change in different countries 5) one drawing or photograph of each of the types of men’s and women’s dress Website resources: Muslim clothing facts http://www.ehow.com/about_6666879_muslim-clothing.html Women’s Traditional Clothing in Muslim Countries http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20100201/157739754.html Dress Codes http://www.netplaces.com/understanding -islam/islamic

-law-in-daily-life/dress-codes.htm The Islamic Dress Code http://www.almasjid.com/content/islamic_dress_code

CONNECTIONS

Women’s Rights Jigsaw Activity Video Saudi Woman Campaigns for Right to Drive http://youtu.be/gke1CYaKVOY group 1 = education Group 2 = work Group 3 = marriage Group 4 = divorce Group 5 = politics/suffrage (make a copy of websites and articles)

Franks: Women’s Rights in the Arab World

Sabra: Women’s Rights in the Arab World: Equality, not just Before the Law

Macleod: What’s Holding Back Arab Women?

Out of the Shadows, into the World Now is the Time Nelson: In a Land of a Few Rights,

Saudi Women Fight to Vote

CONNECTIONS

Power Distance, Individualism/Collectivism, and Masculinity/Femininity

Review each dimension…. Cultural Dimensions in Arabic Countries

Activity Sheet Hofstede Centre (Chose a country from the

“select a country” drop down menu. For Libya, chose the “Arab World”)

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

SUMMARIZING

Listen to the following NPR broadcast and answer the questions below:

What Will Uprisings Mean for Women in the Arab World?

http://npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=134131357

What are some of the advances in Women’s rights that people hope to see as a result of the Arab Spring?

What happens in the event of a divorce in the Arab world?

What dot the family laws include? How can women’s rights be developed?