Intercultural Communication:
Understanding Egypt…
Provided in partial requirement of COM201 by
Chelsey Adams, Akima Briggs
Stacey Hilliard, Karen Morano
Nabeelah Said, Tricia Stevens
Understanding Egypt…
Presentation Overview
This presentation seeks to discuss:
The history of Islam
The progression of Islam in Egypt
Stereotypes surrounding Egyptian Muslims
• Communication styles
• Cultural practices
Islam’s influences on marriage in Egypt
Islam’s influences gender roles in Egypt
Egyptian Muslims’ communication styles
Understanding Egypt…
Overview of Islam
• Islam means submission (to God).
• One who submits is a Muslim.
• Muslims believe that Muhammad is
the "seal of the prophets.“
- His revelations complete the series of biblical
revelations received by Jews and Christians.
Understanding Egypt…
Overview of Islam
• Muslims believe that God’s true teachings
had been forgotten until Muhammad
arrived.
• Muslims recognize Abraham, Moses, and
Jesus (Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa, respectively)
as divinely inspired.
 Islam, however, admires only their messages as sacred.
Understanding Egypt…
Major Muslim Event: Ramadan
•The Islamic calendar is based on 12 lunar months and
has 354 or 355 days.
•Ramadan, the ninth month of the calendar, is a period
of obligatory fasting.
•This fasting commemorates Muhammad's acceptance
of God's revelation, the Quran (the Islamic holy book).
•A meal breaks each daily fast and inaugurates a night of
feasting and celebration.
•Wealthy individuals usually do little work for all or part
of the day.
Understanding Egypt…
Major Muslim Event: Ramadan
•Everyone fasts during the daylight hours of
Ramadan except:
the sick
the weak
pregnant or nursing women
soldiers on duty
travelers on necessary journeys, and
young children.
•Adults excused from the fasting are grateful to
observe an equivalent fast at their earliest
opportunity.
Understanding Egypt…
History of Islam in Egypt
•Early Islam was intensely expansionist.
•It expanded successfully because of:
Passion for the new religion.
Economic and social factors.
Conquering armies and migrating
tribes.
Understanding Egypt
History of Islam in Egypt
•After about a century, Islamic armies had reached
into North Africa and Asia.
•Egypt was among the first countries to come under
Islamic control.
•After the surrender of Alexandria, the whole country
was under Muslim rule.
•Egypt's first Muslim ruler believed Muslims should be
kind to the Egyptians because of their kin to Arabs.
•Arabic is the officially language of Islam and Egypt.
Understanding Egypt…
Contemporary Egyptian Islam
•As of 1990, Islam in Egypt was complex and
diverse.
•Overall, Muslims agreed on the faith's basic
system of belief.
•However, various social groups and classes
applied Islam differently in their daily lives.
Understanding Egypt…
Contemporary Egyptian Islam
•The literate theologians of Al Azhar University
generally rejected the illiterates in the countryside.
•Upper- and middle-class Muslims were also divided.
•Some believed that religious expression was a
private matter.
•Others thought Islam should play a more dominant
role in public life.
• Islamic religious renewal movements are present in
most cities and in many villages.
Understanding Egypt…
Contemporary Egyptian Islam
• Because of sexual segregation in Egypt's Islamic society, men
and women often practice their religion in different ways.
• The zar is a ceremony for helping women soothe spirits who
are believed to have possessed them.
• Women specially trained by their mothers or other women in
zar tradition organize the ceremonies.
• A zar organizer holds weekly meetings and employs music and
dance to induce ecstatic trances in possessed women.
• Wealthy women sometimes pay to have private zars conducted
in their homes.
– These zars are more elaborate than public ones, last for several
days, and sometimes involve efforts to exorcise spirits.
US Library of Congress, (http://countrystudies.us/egypt/67.htm)
Understanding Egypt…
Stereotypes and Misconceptions
• Though Islam is the fastest growing religion in the
world, it is still very misunderstood.
• Many believe:



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Islamic nations are unquestionably hostile .
Islam is a religion of cruelty, brutality and oppression.
Islamic leaders propose self interested empires.
Women are greatly oppressed under Islam.
Muslims are violent terrorists and Islam was spread
with the sword.
Islam behind the stereotypes. 25 July 2004. Semonti Hossain. 3 Dec. 2009
<http://www.religioustolerance.org/hossain_01.htm>.
Understanding Egypt…
Stereotypes and Misconceptions
• These stereotypes and misconceptions give
people a skewed view of Islam.
• In fact, the following are more accurate
characteristics of Islam.
 Islam is a religion that directs Muslims to a course of
peace, ethics and morals.
 Women are considered to have as many rights as men.
 Islam does not permit the murder of innocent people.
 Holy wars were sometimes used to spread Islam’s
boundaries.
Islam behind the stereotypes. 25 July 2004. Semonti Hossain. 3 Dec. 2009
<http://www.religioustolerance.org/hossain_01.htm>.
Understanding Egypt…
Dating and Marriage
• The ancient Egyptians were the first civilization to
regard marriage as a legal relationship.
• Marriage in ancient Egypt was considered a
religious duty.
• Islamic marriage doctrines and prophetic
instructions can be found in the Quran.
 The acceptance of the couple, or their representatives, as husband
and wife is the most important term for marriage.
 The publicity of the marriage (making it known to the people) is an
also essential condition of marriage.
Understanding Egypt…
Dating and Marriage
• Islam emphasizes that marriage is the only
available way to satisfy the biological need
between the man and the woman.
• Therefore, chances for the couple to get to
know each other before the engagement have
become limited.
• Couples usually meet through visits with family or
at public places.
Understanding Egypt…
Dating and Marriage
• The engagement period has become longer.
• Time is taken to prepare the new house.
• Sometimes housing is costly and does not suit the income
of the couple or their parents.
• Mahr money is used by the bride-to-be’s family.
• They purchase furniture and jewelry. The jewelry, or
Shabka, is given to the bride by the groom at the
engagement party.
Understanding Egypt…
Dating and Marriage
• At the engagement party, or
“Henna Party,” Henna is
designed on the bride’s hands
and feet.
Understanding Egypt…
Dating and Marriage
• The marriage contract is signed and registered by
"maazon.”
 The couple and their families and friends are present.
 This procedure happens in the bride’s house or at a mosque.
• The day after the wedding the wife's mother and
her sisters may visit her and gave her some food.
• Seven days after the wedding, the wife's friends
and relatives will visit her again offering gifts and
food, while she offers sweets and fruits.
Understanding Egypt…
Male-Female Roles
•Islamic culture influences most of men and women’s
interactions with one another in Egypt.
Women
Men
 Women are less likely to work
outside the home.
 Women’s dress is more
conservative.
 Jobs are dependent on class.
 Men have complete financial
responsibility.
 Jobs are dependent on class.
•Though it may seem restrictive at times, men and women are
considered equal.
Understanding Egypt…
Women’s Rights and Privileges-Ancient
• Women were legally entitled to do most things men
could independently and of their own will.
• Women could serve as national heroines and receive
military decoration.
• Women could travel freely and without veils.
• Traveling women sometimes considered less virtuous.
– Customs and traditions have discouraged women from
traveling alone.
•Throughout ancient times, it appears mores/values
changed (love poetry and letters are quite frank about the
public accessibility and freedom of women.
VirtualEgypt.com (http://www.virtualegypt.com/newhtml/special/women/index.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Gender Role Reinforcement
According to the principles of Islam, men and women have different
natures, talents, and inherent tendencies, and therefore different
responsibilities. Both are equal in eyes of Allah, however.
Women
 Women-care for home, children
and husband.
 Women's inherent sexuality is
threatening to the harmony of
society (esp. to men).
– best controlled through women's
modesty
– women staying as much as
possible within private family
sphere.
Men
• Men-go out in the world,
providing financially for the
family.
Understanding Egypt…
Gender Role Reinforcement
• Cultural and religious norms increasingly advocate that
family roles of both women and men are fundamental in
maintaining societal structure.
– Such norms support keeping women in the home and
oppose women working.
• Contemporary images of women as economic
assets/providers come into conflict with what are
perceived as divinely inspired roles.
• Gender roles in Egypt often derive from the Qur'an.
• Gender complements are part of the religion.
– This concept is an integral part of understanding the social
structure of Egyptian society.
(<a href="http://family.jrank.org/pages/439/Egypt-Gender-Family.html">Egypt - Gender And
Family</a>)
Understanding Egypt…
Modern Men’s Responsibility to Women
• Men have responsibility of caring for all single
women in their families, even women previously
married.
• Women raised with expectation their ultimate
sources of economic security will from fathers,
brothers, and sons.
(<a href="http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-Marriage-Family.html">Egypt - Marriage
And Family</a>)
(http://viviansalama.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/ds116_rj.jpg)
Understanding Egypt…
Men’s Roles as Husbands
• Recent legal changes require men to legally file for
divorce.
 He can no longer divorce by saying "I divorce thee" three (3)
times as permitted by the Qur'an.
 Women now able to file for divorce, too. (Esp. in cases of
domestic violence).
• Men and women may have cross-cousin marriages
(child of one's parent's sibling of the alternate sex).
• Sizable sums of money through the mahr (gift from the
groom to the bride upon marriage), to protect women
and counterbalance unequal rights in case of divorce.
– Marriages are often not considered valid without mahr!
(<a href="http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-Marriage-Family.html">Egypt - Marriage
And Family</a>)
Understanding Egypt…
Men’s Roles as Husbands
• A husband is responsible for unconditional financial
responsibility and has certain rights within the
marriage.
• He has the right to restrict his wife's physical mobility
(often interpreted as the right to prevent wife from
working outside the home).
• A husband has the right to divorce without the
consent of his wife.
• He legally receives custody of children after age 7, but girls
usually stay with their mothers.
href="http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-Marriage-Family.html">Egypt - Marriage
And Family</a>)
Understanding Egypt…
Modern Living
• Widows, divorcees (especially childless) and
bachelors stigmatized if they lived separately.
• Unmarried sons/daughters live with parents until
marriage, regardless of age.
• After divorce or death of spouse, both men and
women, especially if childless, expected to return
to parents if they are still alive. Otherwise,
expected to live with a brother, sister, or other
relative.
(<a href="http://family.jrank.org/pages/438/Egypt-Defining-Family-in-Egypt.html">Egypt Defining Family In Egypt</a>)
Understanding Egypt…
Women’s Roles in Modern Egypt
• Early 1900s: Egyptian women formed
first services NGO, and paved the way
for women’s wider public participation.
•
1942: First women's political party Egyptian Feminist Party.
• 1956: Constitution granted full political
rights to women.
• 1962: Appointment of Dr. Hikmat Abu
Zayd, the first woman minister in Egypt.
• 1982: Nursing school established; helps
women acquire income.
(http://www2.sis.gov.eg/En/Women/HOWomen/History/10
0101000000000001.htm)
Understanding Egypt…
Traditional Attire
To left: Woman in sebleh
To right: Man in
galabeyah
http://www.raqs.co.nz/me/clothing_egypt.html
Understanding Egypt…
Modern Men’s Attire
• Usually very similar to the clothing worn in the
Western world, less conservative than women’s
clothing.
• Some men still wear traditional clothing.
• Men should wear dark colored, lightweight,
conservative business suits, at least to the first
meeting.
• Men should avoid wearing visible jewelry,
especially around the face and neck.
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Tarbushes, shishas (1926)
Gallibaya (c1980)
Nubian man 1967
Man in tarboosh, woman in bur`a
(around 1920)
Bedouins had a style all their
own.
Understanding Egypt…
Modern Women’s Attire
• Many women wear clothing typical to the Western
world, others wear hijabs or abayas (head scarves)
and burkas. In some areas, majority of women dress
conservatively. Better to be overdressed than
underdressed.
• Younger women can sometimes get away with jeans
and T-shirts, but it depends on region
• Visitors advised to wear loose clothing-cover legs and
arms completely when walking around downtown. At
a minimum, cover shoulders, avoid anything low-cut
or tight.
• In the Red Sea resorts, dress code more lenient but
cover up if going into town or local areas.
• Evening dress is less conservative.
(http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html)
(http://www.elanguages.org/images/42117)
Note the variety of clothing-not all girls
wear headscarves. Jeans are worn by some
children. Legs, arms and shoulders covered.
The photographer asked for permission
to take the ladies’ pictures. The mother
turned her back, but the two young girls
did not object.
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/double
jeopardy/3083739875/)c
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: CASUAL INTERACTIONS
• Egypt is a high context communication country.
• The listener is responsible for understanding the intended
message.
• These characteristics are typical of conversation:
– Intense eye contact
– Implicit body language
– Silence
• Saying “no” is impolite.
– When an Egyptian says “yes”, he or she may actually mean
“possibly.”
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: CASUAL INTERACTIONS
• Indirect communication is also common in Egypt.
• Speakers may:
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Be circular or ambiguous
Repeat for“emphasis”
Be subjective
Interrupt (frequently)
Speak over other speakers
Be deliberately emotional
Speak loudly
Be prone to get close while talking, and
Likely to value embellishments.
• Attempting to gain distance during a conversation could
make you seem cold or disinterested.
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: CASUAL INTERACTIONS
• Non-verbal communication is very popular in Egypt, as it
coincides with the other communication styles.
• Gestures are very important and may have different
meanings than in other countries.
 It is rude to point.
 A “thumbs up” gesture is considered insulting.
 Shoes are removed at meetings, but one should never show the
bottoms of his/her feet.
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: CASUAL INTERACTIONS
• Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends
and established business associates.
• Until someone is “known well enough” a
handshake is appropriate.
• Once trust is established, expect close contact
including hugging and kissing.
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: TRADITIONAL GREETINGS
• It is best to follow the lead of the Egyptian you are meeting.
• Handshakes are the customary greeting among individuals
of the same sex.
• Once a relationship has developed, common to kiss on one
cheek, then the other while shaking hands, men with men
and women with women.
• In any greeting between men and women, the woman must
extend her hand first.
 If she does not, a man should bow his head in greeting.
 It is impolite for a man to greet a woman he doesn’t know.
(http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: MOSQUE ETIQUETTE
• DO NOT wear a cross or other Judeochristian symbols.
– It’s considered an insult.
• Men, coming into the women’s section will subject you
to being fussed at in Arabic.
• Be absolutely silent, talking is considered a sign of
disrespect.
• MUST cover arms, shoulders, chest and legs (in Coptic
Orthodox churches, too).
• Men-must cover up as well.
(http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html)
Understanding Egypt…
Tourist Guide: MOSQUE ETIQUETTE
• It is considered polite for women to cover
their hair and neck with a scarf
• Don't make eye contact with men
• Take your shoes off before entering through
the women's door.
• Don't take pictures inside without prior
permission.
(http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html)
Works Cited
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Virtual-Egypt.com, (http://www.virtualegypt.com/newhtml/special/women/index.html
Egypt-Gender and Family, (http://family.jrank.org/pages/439/Egypt-GenderFamily.html)
Egypt-Marriage and Family, (http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-MarriageFamily.html)
Egypt Information System,
http://www2.sis.gov.eg/En/Women/HOWomen/History/100101000000000001.ht
m
Kwintessential, (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/globaletiquette/egypt-country-profile.html)
Raqs.co.uk, http://www.raqs.co.nz/me/clothing_egypt.html
Theringbearer.com, theringbearer.ca/cultures.php?v=article&aid=4181
Virtual Tourist,
(http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html)
US Library of Congress, (http://countrystudies.us/egypt/67.htm)
• Zawaj.com, http://www.zawaj.com/weddingways/egypt_customs.html