You are here:
- Home
- Homework Help
- Islam
- Arab Culture
- Ritualized arabic greeting?
Arab Culture/Ritualized arabic greeting?
Advertisement
Question
So I was watching some classic movies based on the Arabian Nights tales (hardly informative, I know), and I was struck by how often a certain greeting gesture was used - the right hand touching the chest, then the lips, then the forehead, or occasionally done in reverse. Doing some internet research I can find no mention of this, and modern Salam gestures (my first guess) seem quite different. Is it an actual gesture, or just Hollywood invention? What was its meaning, and how is it properly supposed to be done?
Greetings Jeffrey, and thanks for your question. It is a very formal/ endearing form of a greeting that more often today consists of shaking hands (between men or same-gender), and then touching the heart. It's a little like saying, 'you are in my heart and my mind.' Or, in a mixed-gender introduction, when hands are not shaken, this can also be used--again, for a person of particular honor. I have seen grandchildren do this to their grandfathers, and also young men helping in the mosque to a notable religious cleric. I have also seen Catholic worshippers in the Middle East do this during Holy Week with a statue of the crucified Jesus.
Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!
peace,
Le Anne
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.