They will never accept the differences
Ranting about Arabs time!
One of the biggest problems with the Arab mentality is accepting different opinions and lifestyles. I appreciate the fact that Arabs like to stay true to who they are, whatever they are, but seriously, do we need to make our one-sided “traditional” life decisions the only plausible ones that everyone has to follow?
Let me elaborate my point more clearly here. Arabs feel superior to other Arabs. Arabs feel superior to other cultures. Arabs believe that their lifestyle choices are the “clean” or “most ethical” ones. Why?
Jealousy
I think I discussed this a lot on my blog, but I have to keep reminding everyone that jealousy is a human characteristic. Yes, it is a characteristic that we CAN control. We can be jealous of the positives that other people possesses. That I believe will drive us to improve ourselves. However, jealousy that results in envy, negative emotions, and spite is not the healthy characteristic. Unfortunately, and yes, I will say it for the millionth time, negative jealousy is the number one cause of backward mentality.
Differences
The only successful people I ever met in my life are the ones that were willing to accept the difference. They accepted differences of ethnicity. They accepted differences in mentality. They accepted differences in life. They accepted abrupt changes in the world. They learned to cope with the what life is really about. Once they accepted the difference, their minds opened and accepted endless possibilities. Life no longer seemed black and white, and they ended up leaders in a gray but open playground.
Role Models
The problem with the Arab culture is the lack of role models. There isn’t a group of people that raise their hands and say, “I want to be a better person. I want to make a difference. I want to use my God given talents to the best of my abilities and become something memorable. I want to help others become better people too.” I never heard of role models. I don’t even know if there is such a phrase in the Arabic language. They only think of the “I”, and not the “We.”
Thinking
Thinking is a gift from God. It is our duty as human beings to think. God differentiated us from animals by this gift. We have to use it. We have to think. If I really want to get my point across, I have to discuss religion. Arab culture justifies everything based on religion. Even though only 80% of Arabs are Muslims, and I will not generalize about that fact, but religion has to be separated completely from the culture. The culture ruined the religion. Yes, it did. Islam is so much more, and if it is truly understood and followed at its simplicity, then none of this nonsense that Arabs come up with that justify their behavior based on religion would ever exist.
Since Arabs love to justify their Arabized actions based on religion, then why are women still treated as second class citizens? God created us as equals, but I don’t see it being applied in the Arab culture.
Why is free thinking outside the “religious” doctrines forbidden?
Why aren’t women allowed to be educated at a higher level, and even most to even be literate? Isn’t the first thing that a true Muslim should do is read? Why is man allowed to read, and women can’t? Why is man allowed to think, and women can’t?
Why am I better than you?
Finally, I will get the real point. Arabs love to directly show their superiority complex to other Arabs. If your Arab neighbor bought a gorgeous new pair of shoes, then you will bluntly tell them, “Mine are better and more expensive.” If your Arab neighbor went to a doctor, then you would tell them, “My doctor is smarter and better than yours and that’s why you are always sick.” If your Arab neighbor bought a new house, then you will tell them, “Where did you get the money? Who gave it to you to make such a purchase?”
Congratulations is a common and most used word in the Arab vocabulary, but it is always followed by the justification that I am still better than you, or how did you get that and who helped you? I wish sometimes they were really better, like evolving as a culture, not being classified as third world nations, and giving their citizens basic human rights.
I think too much, but I will never stop.
Confused, Culture, Random Thoughts, Ranting as usual!, Religion, They said what?, Whatever!
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Once again great minds think alike. Great post.
Jealousy is the green eyed monster that ruins everything. And it is ironic because Islam warns people about 7asad/Envy etc and tells people not to do it, yet Arabs are pros at it. That’s why I am so hesitant to let anyone in my house. Been burned so many times.
Back in my hometown my parents have cut off almost all their ties to the Arab society there because of gossip that stemmed from jealousy. People started talking crap about my mom and my sisters and I….for no apparent reason other than jealously and oh yeah, like you said, the inablity to accept anyone different. And HEAVEN FORBID that anyone else should have something they dont’. Everyone has to play by their rules (which are stupid) and follow the stupid ass norms they set.
And for anyone who says this is not an Arab trait alone needs to realize that our society overdoes it again and and again knowing it is wrong. They can destroy lives with the gossip that comes about from envy and their stupidity.
I could go on and on. This subject hits very close to home and when I think about what has stemmed from it, it makes me livid.
“…Arab culture justifies everything based on religion…”
So there was this poor pregnant mother who delivered siamese twins. For lacking of sufficient nutrition during pregnancy, the baby was born with two heads. And the funny thing that was this Arab when he heard the deliverence of a baby with two heads, he exclaimed, “God is great. Nothing impossible onto him”.
Problem of poverty and lack of nutrition was viewed as magical supranatural. That was just great.
That’s one reason why Arabs are labeled with the adjective “arrogant”… they believe they live righteous morally good life and they also believe they are role-models or here to lead Non-Arabs to the so called… “right path”… and how God favoured them over others… blah blah blah. Arabs are viewed as ignorant by Non-Arabs because they rely on foreign workers to run their countries… the oil has seriously gone to their heads especially those in the gulf. But what can we do? All we gotta do is pray that all this crap they have in their heads ends and they awaken from their dreams.
Excellent post. I don’t think that these traits are reserved for Arabs or Muslims either. I have seen many so called Americans be just as “I’m better than you”; as well as many Christians who feel that their particular sect of religion (if I may call it that) is the ONLY one and everybody else is going to hell in a hand basket.
May i ask, when was the last time you visited an arabic country? do you think the minority you see around you in Canada represents every arabian in the whole world?.
When you say Arab this and Arab that you tell other nationalities that all arab sucks, most humans on earth are taught don’t label or don’t generalize the bad thing. From those Arabs came the greatest man that walked the earth: the prophet peace be upon him. It’s true what you wrote applies on some of us(not all) and so it does applies on other nationalities even canadians themselves. It’s better to say some arabs do this not all arabs.
and yes i konw that you wrote previous post saying positive things about arabs and sorry if you felt offensed by anymeans
.” If your Arab neighbor bought a new house, then you will tell them, “Where did you get the money? Who gave it to you to make such a purchase?”
OMG THAT IS SO TRUE! First thing to pop up in your head “Mortgage! Interest! Haram!
People that believe in unquestionable truths are considered ignorant by most.
Case in point Ahmad Hamdan Quote ”From Arabs came the greatest man that walked the earth”
Incandescent, oil will run out, and China and the USA and the rest of the world will no longer have vested interests in the Middle East and use their own oil reserves, which they have kept intact while using Arabian and African reserves.
Mona, you said youreself in the article arabs justify everything on religion. Also, I think, throughout history there have always (always!) been women that have been strong and resilient and women that arent.
Mais:
So i am ignorant on believing my prophet as the greatest man on earth, good for you on attacking my religious believe, aren’t you the same mais who wanted to be agnostic or athiest because she doesn’t like the tafseer of certain ayah in quran. i am not justifying my point on relihion, i only mentioned the report because i know Mona is a muslim and respects her relegion and to remind her that from those arabs came the prophet. Please forgive me yur highness because you possess the ultimate truth on everything and i am merely an ignorant
I said people that believe in unquestionable truths are seen as ignorant, because it does not allow for any questioning or debate. Lets use another example. Lets say, one man thinks prophet Mohammed is the best, another man believes Jesus is the best, and another man believes Bush Jr. is the best, that divides people, at the very least.
Youre last sentence put a smile on my face, even though its not true.
@Jasmine
Or they think “hmmm so and so got a 2500 sq foot home by golly I’m going to buy a 3000 sq foot home with more amenities”
There totally are Arabs who have those types of characteristics. And it has to be realized that the Arab individuals who act like this actually really do exist, and this behavior should be dealt with whether they mean to act like this or not. What makes it worse is that some actually endorse this behavior. They instead really should take a good look at themselves and their actions, and how they are being perceived by the public (if you are now saying that it doesn’t matter to you how others perceive you, realize now that there are times that it actually does matter). No one is perfect, and I am by no means a star, but it should concern us that Arabs often don’t address this.
It amuses me how you find it o.k to stereotype a whole race. I’m Arab and I’m nothing like this. I know many Arab who are like this and many who aren’t. I don’t know if you mean to generalize but reading this article/post, you come off as arrogant and juvenile.You fit right in with the rest of us arrogant, boastful, backwards Arab..ahlan w sahlan
@Ahmad Hamdan
Last time I visited an Arab country was when I was 11. I stayed away from them for 5 years being in a secluded area from Arabs, then I came to Canada and everyone around me is Arab from various Arabic nations. Which makes my analysis of the similarities of the common negatives more justified.
I am assuming that no one got the meaning of this post. I said that Arabs have changed and any action is justified by religion, but it has no religious basis, and that is wrong. Arabic culture is supposed to be so rich and powerful, because like you said, the greatest person that we have to respect was an Arab, and we have to be proud of our heritage. However, how can we be proud of something that changed so much, and no longer has that glimmer and essence of greatness like it used to be?
You won’t believe how proud I am being an Arab, but I like to tell people that I am a true Arab and I know what it means to be one. And when I see something wrong and only justified by religion (but there is no religious basis anyways) does make me sick and I have to speak out.
@Sam
I wasn’t stereotyping a whole race. By the way, Arab is not a race. Arab is a culture. Secondly, I am speaking about those Arabs that think that way, and for those that disagree and say, “I am not like that,” then good for you. You are proving me wrong, and making me happy that there are many different mentalities and things are changing. Good that you spoke, but don’t call me arrogant. I just got the answer I wanted to hear from you, that is not being arrogant at all! I made you speak out. I did something to invoke you so you get the chance to tell the world that things in the Arab culture is changing, and not everyone is like this. I challenged you, and you accepted the challenge.
Race/culture, always confuses me, thanks for pointing it out.You can see I wrote “I don’t know if you mean to generalize”, I don’t know you so I don’t know how you view our people but if I had just read this one post alone it really does sound like you’re generalizing. I didn’t call you arrogant I said you come off as arrogant in this post (“They only think of the I” ..they?). Read some of your other stuff, good shit (I hope you don’t take that part literally! 3anjad you canj write, will be back soon yallah keep writing)
yeah I’m pretty sure canj isn’t a word, can*
Piffle! The greatest man that walked was my fellow Englishman, Charles Darwin
change happens everyday people change the weather changes everything changes sooner or later if Allah diden want us 2 change we woulden get any smarter or older change is a gift that everyboby should embrace includeing arabs everyboby can become better includeing me
i should have said some arabs should change not all caz most if not all the arabs i know r amazinggggggggggggggggggggg ….also i am mostly talking about all people
Hi Mona,
First of all,I know that you like to write about such topics for many practical reasons
, but I swear to God almighty, the Arabs I grew up with can’t be more opposite than what you described.I’m not saying they are perfect cuz no human being is perfect ,but I remember the generosity,the hospitality, the very strong sense of community,the solid friends that you can trust with your life and will be always there for you…Mona, no offense ,I know you don’t mean to generalize , but allow me to generalize. I think you’re not describing Arabs, rather you’re describing some falla7een (peasants) immigrants from 2 particular countries who make the majority Arab immigrants in your area , and I believe that is your background.Cuz only a falla7 would make such an envious comment regarding your new shoes or new house 
…with all do respect to the decent falla7een 
بلدي وإن جارت عليا عزيزة ** وأهلي وإن ظنّوا عليا كرام
I recommend the book, “No God But God” by Ali Reza. Brilliant book that puts islam (and by extension the arabs) into genuine historical context.
Stop spreading your lies, seriously, what’s the all the hatred for arabs? what do you know about arabs? I don’t have any problems with this so called “Changing”. Unless if you mean to stop worshiping god and make our women leave their hijab so they end up like yours,well then we don’t want any changing. Only ignorant-base who knows nothing about arabs well believe you. No offense but stupidity is a contagious disease and must be cured by facts and proper statistics! why not saying I love arabs because they pray five times per-day, why not sayin’ I love arabs because they’ve the lowest cirmes rate ever from drugs all the way to raping. and finally, why not saying you like arabs because drinking, smoking and eveing lying is a sin and they’ll be punished by almighty allah (God), instead of all that hate? We are all born ignorant Mona (or whatevere your name is), but some must work hard to remain stupid.
-Anyone who disagrees with this is mentally ill and should be ********.
doesn´t all fundamentalists of every group think they are better than everybody else?
i do understand that Mona is tired of the fundamentalist inte the group that she feels that she belongs to anyhow. Isnt that also a caracteristic for belonging, to get to nagg a little bit sometimes? you 100% positive if you want to become something, if your already there you dont need to exaggerate the positive things
dusty: and crime rates for rape aren´t to be trusted completely.. in some countries you knot that a woman almost can´t get raped: if you drive a car by yourself – yourself to blame, talk to a man you don´t know in the street – you have youself to blame etc etc… well there are a lot of examples to be really ashamed about.
@Dusty
I have no reason to reply to you because you made a judgment about me from one post. You know nothing about what my site represents or even me, nor did you read my comments on this post and my replies already to people with the same mentality as you. Such ill judgments are a result of ignorance and instant anger. Learn to be a little bit more tolerant to other people’s views.
P.S. I am Muslim, I don’t drink or sin or any of the nastiness that many Arabs do here. I am not like that or even close. Those are the Arabs I can’t stand the most.
I’ve read enough, and once again you approved to me how ignorant-base you’re. Allow me to quote some of your post:
“Since Arabs love to justify their Arabized actions based on religion, then why are women still treated as second class citizens? God created us as equals, but I don’t see it being applied in the Arab culture”
Firslty, our women are treated better than any other women in the world. Why do you insist to make us looks like if we inslave our women? I don’t know what place you lived in but you’re completely wrong about this. I can confirm, that 100% of european and boys that I met are considering women nothing but sex machine. We do have respect for our women, and we work our back for them.
“Why aren’t women allowed to be educated at a higher level”
Again, you showed that you’re truelly know nothing about arab. In my country (K.S.A), My three sistere both finished high scool and their college studies as well. One in Australia to fininsh the master degree, on are lookig for a job, and one is a teatcher in a secondary school. Please get your facts straight.
“Arabs love to directly show their superiority complex to other Arabs. If your Arab neighbor bought a gorgeous new pair of shoes, then you will bluntly tell them, “Mine are better and more expensive.”
Let me put that in another words: Arabs are greedy, is that what you meant?
Well whenever I see someone with something I like but not have, I say “”masha’a allah”" <you do know that right? and I wish I had not better but the same thing. I guess anybody with no mental issuse will react in the same way. I don't know where the hell you get all those ideas about arab, like if you're not one of them. Don't you have something better to bash about?
@S: I don't understand what you're trying to say,
@Dusty
Since you are quoting only this post, I will stand corrected. You are judging me from this post only. Your views are totally different than mine. Learn to accept the difference and move on. I do not know why you persist to come here and prove that I am wrong. What do you benefit? Nothing.
@Dusty
I emailed you and I will not be accepting anymore negative comments from you.
Thanks.
I read that book by Ali Reza and its full of idealisms, doesnt give an accurate and balanced argument, and conveniently glosses over a lot of war, poverty and inequality but Ive come to expect that. I would reccomend it to you Mona if you want to have a good laugh.
wow.. first of all, Mais, when giving your opinion on something I suggest you do so politely and not with a condescending tone. (you wouldn’t happen to be an arab woman, would you..?)
The book is not meant to be an in-depth study on the history of Islam. I have two other great books for that filled with name after name and war after war. Ali Reza’s book simply tries to define the stages of Islams progression through historical context. It talks about the major stages since its reveal with the Prophet Mohammed to the schisms between the major factions.
It does not gloss over anything; it is simply not trying to be 1500 pages long. Also.. there is nothing wrong with idealism. Frankly, I think we need more of it everywhere.
Anyway, Mais, be more polite from now on.