Culture- swedish and arabic
... -Easter The resurrection of Christ, but also, it is an pagan festival. It is celebrated by giving each other Easter eggs, and having decorations with Easter bunnies. “Mid Summer” Johannes the baptizer was born. But more obvious, it is the longest day of the year. It is a tradition celebrated by covering and decorating a tall wooden dross in leaves, branches and lots of flowers. The people sing and dance around the cross. In comparison, the Arabic culture has some of the following traditions: -Ramadan Occurs on the ninth month of the Muslim year. Muslims must fast during daylight hours, meaning they must eat before sunrise and after sunset. -Eid There are two kinds if Eid; 1) Eid-al-Fitr, which is the last day of Ramadan and therefore celebrated with day of fast breaking. 2) Eid-al-Adh’haa, which is celebrated on the last month of the Muslim year and it is the Festival of Sacrifice. Marriage When it comes to marriage, the two cultures differ completely. In Sweden, a woman may marry whoever she wishes to marry without getting permission by anyone, such as her father or brother. She will get married in a church wearing a long, white dress, and the priest will hold the ceremony. Both the bride and groom’s relatives and friends may be present in the ceremony is taking place. However, in the Arabic culture, the man who wishes to marry a girl must consent with the girl’s father first to ask him for his daughter’s hand in marriage. If he agrees, he may ask the girl to marry him, and contracts will be written. On the other side, there is one main similarity with the two cultures; after the marriage (contract or vows said) has taken place, a feast with food, gifts and speeches is held for the newlywed. However, in the Arabic culture, the wedding parties for the bride and groom are separately, which is not the case in Sweden. Polygamy & Monogamy According to the Arabic culture, polygamy is accepted. This is when the man marries more than one woman. However, in the Quran, it says that the man may only do so, if he can justify to it. Therefore, the Arabic culture accepts and allows it, but does not prefer it. In Sweden, monogamy is the law followed. Neither a woman nor a man is allowed to be married to more than one person at a time. However, divorces are allowed and are quite common in Sweden, unfortunately. Dress Arabic culture has a dress code for both men and women. The men wear a long, full length dress called a ‘dish dash’. It is completely white and covers from neck to ankles. They are expected to cover their head with use of a cap, turban or anything else that covers. The women also wear a long, full length dress, but it is black and called an ‘a baya’. The women also wear a veil to cover their hair. However, in the Quran is does not say that they have to cover their hair; instead this is only a tradition. Belief & prayer ...