Kaaba Black Stone

In a small valley among the mountains, hidden from the world, is Islam's holy of holies - the city of Mecca. It is to him five times a day, turning the eyes of Muslims around the globe.

In contrast to other eastern cities of Mecca was not surrounded by a wall, and a natural fence of her have always been a mountain. Through the entire city stretches wide street Massana, to which many tiers down from the mountains slip at home - big and small. Middle of the street, at the very bottom of the valley, is located the area where the mosque stands the famous Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which means "House of God." Muslims believe that in this place is the center of the universe, because it did not even land, overturned on the ground of the sky. And in the last day of the world it to heaven and back.

The territory of "Sacred Mosque" - a sacred place for Muslims around the world. Have repeatedly referred to in the second sura of the Quran: "And no matter where you came out, pay your face in the direction of the mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face toward her." The area is similar to the traditional eastern courtyard, only a very large size. It is surrounded by three, and where the four rows of columns of marble, granite and stone of the ordinary. On top of the column are connected by pointed arches and domes are covered with small white, and towering above them seven slender minarets.

Go to Mecca turned their eyes the ancient Arabs, because of their pagan gods were also in the Kaaba. This church was the true pantheon of gods and could satisfy all requests. It was centered about 360 different idols and sculptures of deified persons. Among them - the Arab gods Ilatov, Uzza, Hubal and others, the Assyrian-Babylonian Marduk, Assor, Sin, Sumas and Astarte, the Jewish patriarch Abraham and Mary with the Christ Child in her arms.

According to legend the Arabs, the Kaaba was built as an altar for prayer, the ancestor of humans Adam. Adam suffered greatly from the fact that not only lost paradise, but also the temple where he used to pray to heaven. Then God will have mercy, and a copy of the temple was lowered to the ground.

In the center is a large stone cube height of about thirteen feet with a flat roof. This is the Kaaba, once a pagan sanctuary, and now the main temple of the Muslim world.

According to one version, it was Adam's guardian angel, overlooking the stone after the fall made his charge. When the Black stone descended from heaven, he was so white and shone so that it could be seen for four days' journey to Mecca. But gradually, from the sins of the human it darkened and darkened, until he was turned to black.

The nature of the Black Stone is still unknown. Some scientists consider it a very large meteorite, other researchers see it as a big chunk of volcanic rock of unknown, because the stony Arabia is replete with many extinct volcanoes.

When in 1630, Mohammed returned to Mecca from Medina, he threw out all the pagan idols of the Kaaba, but respectfully kissed his staff to the Black Stone. But even before Muhammad preached in Mecca decided to repair the severely ramshackle Kaaba. When it was necessary to move the black stone or other place it was a dispute between the families, which one is most worthy of this sacred mission. And then Mohammed will solve this problem very clever: he spread on the floor of the Kaaba his coat, put on his black stone, and then the elders of all the noble families raised the cloak from the stone.

Arabic Superstitions

Ceramic turquoise amulets in the form of eyes or a palm, and other talismans designed to keep their owner from envy, misfortune, evil eye or a hex, you can see everywhere in Egypt: at the front door in Cairo apartment, rear-view mirror almost every car on the clothing of most young children.

So beware, lavishing the usual "Western" duty compliments. As "looking good" or "how quickly your children are grown up!" may look like an open challenge if you do not accompany them with salutary expression of the small Shaa-lla! - "The grace of God!".

The Egyptians, like many Arabs believe that particularly vulnerable to evil eye are young children. Therefore, asking about their health, you have every chance to hear the answer "sick", "bad eating", etc. things. In the Egyptian hinterland still dress young boys in girl's dress, and even pierce their earlobes for earrings - so it's easier to trick Satan.

Another way to protect children from the evil eye - to give the child any stupid name, for example, Shahhat - "beggar." It is believed that bad luck certainly lose interest in the media is so unattractive nicknames and pass over.

In the 19 century, a western orientalist said that Egyptian mother, even in affluent families decorate children in indelible cast-offs and recommend them to go grubby, in order to divert the eyes of envious. He had seen as a respectable, well dressed and scented Egyptian woman walks with her child, whose face was smeared with soot. It was a well-established method of concealment of children of Satan and evil men.

The Egyptians still believed that to show someone the soles of their shoes means a person to express utter contempt. So be careful in how you sit when talking with his Arab companion.

Shoes left in the hallway criss-cross each other, provoke conflict, mostly family. These will and superstition set. For example, you can not mow at night hair and nails (like bad luck there with us), cleaning the apartment, too, should be dealt with only in the afternoon. And in any case we can not touch the needle and thread after sunset.

As for the very evil eye, from which the Egyptian mother so cherish their children, then the Egyptians fear is bright blue eyes, not black as it is accepted here. Therefore, the amulet made in the form of "Fatima Eyes", is usually blue.

Arabic Etiquette: "Interrogations"...

The Arabs in general, inherent in a more peaceful than the Europeans, the ratio of the time. So if your standard business visit to an Arab country is scheduled, then be prepared for the fact that the program will continually violated. Any kind of negotiations and meetings should not be limited timeframes, and better pre-assume that will happen some delay. This is sometimes annoying representatives of Western culture, but if you start to insist on the implementation timetable, for example, then the Arab partner can give the impression that he is dealing with a very impatient person, and, moreover, excessively demanding.

Who first comes to the tent

Arriving at the office to the Arab partner in the appointed hour, you might not find him there. But you can be sure that the staff of his company will take you well. If you are offered coffee, served him in a small cup, and pour the coffee will be as long as you do not put a cup on the tray, after shaking her thumb and forefinger.

If your partner went out to Arabic to meet you halfway to the door, then, seeing you in his office, he will likely enter into it first, instead, to let the guests in advance, as provided for western tradition. This goes back to ancient times, when Badawi, inviting guests to his tent, went to his first, to show that there is safe and there is an ambush.

If you go anywhere with the Arabs, it must be remembered that the advantage is the one who is right. Therefore, at the entrance, exit, landing in the elevator, etc. first starts to move someone who is right.

"Interrogations"

At the talks the Arabs are trying to establish an atmosphere of mutual trust. Providing a warm welcome to a friend, business partner or just a stranger, the Arabs appreciated when the same attention to itself in relation to themselves. The introductory part of a business meeting - the greetings, questions, exchange of stock phrases - lasts a long time. In Arabic-speaking countries, whether talking on the phone, meeting in the office or on the street, according to Arab etiquette taken constantly questions as to its success, good health, family ... Such an "interrogation" can provoke a European, but for the Arabs it is very important. This is the basis of their etiquette and culture. Moreover, these duty issues does not imply the detailed detailed answers. Answers should be brief, sometimes, purely ritualistic.

Left hand

Being in Arab countries or even in the Middle East, we must remember that the left hand in the Islamic countries is considered "unclean". The same, incidentally, also applies to India. The fact that the left hand is used to wash intimate parts (washing instead of using toilet paper is quite justified in terms of hygiene, especially in hot climates). Therefore, transfer documents, business cards or gifts to it are prohibited, unless you previously did not tell them that you are left-handed.

If you are invited pilaf hands, using only his right hand. The notion of context of his left hand with failure, trouble, misfortune, and right - with happiness and success, as reflected in the Koran and the Bible.

Arabic Etiquette: Making Acquaintance with the Arabs

When one becomes acquainted with the Arabs, just as with many other cultures, should be observed a certain ritual.

The man, regardless of age and position, always presents himself first to a woman.

Younger men or her position should be a senior: the boy appears the man, man - Sheikh, etc.

If acquainting people are equal in age and position, the blank should be submitted to a married man and an unmarried woman - to a married.

One man seems a group of people. The woman appears to couple the first.

Since the people who represent a new acquaintance, one must say Fursa Said, which is translated as "very nice to meet you" or "pleased to meet you." Literally, Fursa Said means "good luck".

When acquaintance or meeting agreed to exchange handshakes. The custom of shaking hands has a long history and deep meaning. And the fact that for a handshake should be directed to the right hand, is not accidental. After all, the right hand is almost always clutching a sword hilt. Offering it at a meeting, the person thus showing that he had good intentions.

When meeting a man hugging and touching each other, first one cheek, then another, while patting my back and shoulders. If men had not seen for a long time and they know close enough, then they usually greet each other three times a kiss on both cheeks, in each other's arms. In the West, it was generally accepted, when a meeting or even acquaintance, a man could kiss a woman on the cheek. From the perspective of the Arab and wider - Islamic, etiquette, such actions are totally unacceptable.

Arab women are confused when, for example, at various diplomatic receptions they begin a sign of respect and greetings to kiss hands outstretched for a handshake. The Egyptian diplomat, Mohamed Abdel Fattah Shabbana in his book "Talking to people and etiquette, the Board about an Arab woman does not reach out and confine nod. And at the same time ensure that in her hands has always been a handbag or scarf. It will be a sign for "near" the representatives of Western culture that give a hand to kiss it is not going.

Arabic etiquette and time

A part of our daily lives are negotiations. And this is especially important ability to maintain personal contacts with Arab partners. After all, for the Arabs is nothing more important to human communication. You can easily see this in everyday life, for example, when you visit any store. For the seller, Arabs bargaining process itself, and talk with the buyer is sometimes more important than the final result.

Arabic and Islamic Etiquette

What is etiquette?

Etiquette - is the established order of behavior in society. Misunderstanding often leads to interpretation of foreign customs through the prism of their own.

For example, in Algeria and Egypt, after a successful joke or visual companion decided stretching his hand on which the other person hits his hand, while a Russian outstretched hand is perceived as an intention to take leave, and they start to shake than a cause of great perplexity interlocutor.

Modern etiquette in the Arab world is influenced by several factors.

Arabic and Islamic Etiquette

Islam, as is known, is the state religion in most Arab countries. Theoretically, the life of every Muslim, every action, and even his thoughts, is strictly regulated by the Quran and Sunnah. In the Muslim world, the Qur'an has always been and continues to have now a huge influence on the formation of human personality: it plays an important role in

1. formation of man's relationship to other people;

2. in the formation of attitude toward the world as a whole;

3. in shaping the norms of behavior and communication.

Islam affects even to other religious denominations in the Arab world. Thus, the Coptic Christian church in Egypt under the influence of the process of Islamization has acquired some of the features peculiar to Islam: Copts can not shoot in a church hat, but very often take off their shoes when entering.

Arabic etiquette: the promise in Arabic or "bukra insha-lla"

While in the Arab world and dealing with the Arabs, be prepared for what you have to face with one feature of the Arabs - to avoid certain and unequivocal answers like "yes" or "no." Rather than promise to do something, they say insha-lla, which means "if God wishes".

That is an expression insha-lla is used to mean "most likely yes."

Bukra, which means "tomorrow" in the Egyptian dialect, is used to mean "not today".

Switzer-seamstresses, used in promises, which generally means "slowly, not today and not tomorrow, but God willing, everything will be done."

And the expression maalesh - "nothing, it will do" - is used when a person is late or unable to do anything.

So when you make an agreement about something with the Arabs, especially when it comes to the Egyptians, you always hear in response bukra insha-lla, ie, "if God wills, then tomorrow everything will be ready." And here you need a very clear idea that perhaps tomorrow there will be nothing done, or because "God does not wish, or interfere with something else. An attempt to "put pressure" on the Arab partner, and to squeeze out of it time-bound agreement is unlikely to lead to something. Most likely, he just mess about you opinion, and he did not understand why you're so nervous, because it is already doing everything possible.

Once in Egypt, leader of the delegation of Russian students lived in a dorm room, which is not lockable. She was told that the key to the room where something is, but he lost, and promised to find him soon. Resentment and fear of the ladies are well understood, and so, after four days, promises to find the key to her room, or move it to another room and numerous bukra insha-lla her patience is exhausted. Talking to the administration of the hostel at a very high tones, she sent for the same, a key. He was found within half an hour! However, the rest of the month of her stay in the country, almost every day to her approaching administrator dormitories and explained to her in English and in Arabic the same thing: "we tried, we searched for the key, we did everything we could and we did not understand why it was so nervous. We still gave you the key! " Needless to say, that this situation does not contribute to good and partnership relations between Russian and Egyptian counterparts.

The same applies to the meetings. If you make an agreement with an Arab meet, say, two hours of the day, asking if he would be in two, then the answer you'll hear the same insha-lla. This means that it may well be arrived late for 15 minutes at best. Apologies if this do not wait, because the fact that he arrived late, was not his fault that it happened by the will of God, and your upset his expectation of the form does not arouse any sympathy for Arabs. If you begin to hint at the fact that being late is not good, count on a complete misunderstanding on the part of your Arab partners.

Therefore, communicating with your Arab colleagues, rely on the possible delay on, that promise can not always run at the appointed time, the fact that many in the Arab world depends on the case or, in other words, the will of God. Relax and try to learn from your colleagues, the Arab ability to feel life in every passing minute.

At the same time, in the Arab world there are exceptions, it is primarily about Syria. As practice shows, the Syrians are extremely punctual. Syrian hardly arrived late to a meeting, he may even come a little ahead of time. The same can be said about the inhabitants of Jordan.

Cosmetics and perfumes of Yemen' women. Part 2

In Yemen, the distinction between married and unmarried women is very important. The general rule is that the unmarried do not use cosmetics, in special cases may only be a coloring. But married women should not use cosmetics if the spouse is away or died, as well as in large families where the woman, although it may appear to Devereux with an open face, but he should not see her makeup. The paint and fragrances can be used only in the presence of her husband and immediate family members, as well as in the presence of other women.

After the wedding titivation using cosmetics, perfumes, appropriate clothing and jewelry are not only permitted but is even considered necessary, if a woman wants to remain desirable for a husband. That is, on the one hand, part of the marital debt, an expression of love and respect for her husband and their self-worth, and with another - symbolized the status of married women. Fawn Brook tells how once in the ladies' society, she showed her friend the Yemeni woman, newly married. The woman studied at Oxford and dressed simply, according to European fashion. Yemen friend commented briefly on the situation: "My husband would soon divorce her."

Function colors and flavors is primarily to stimulate sexual activity of her husband. Most often, sexual activity increases the aromatic substances of animal origin. A cosmetic cream and means for fumigation are used mainly on Thursdays and before the holidays, ie before the holidays, when the couple go to bed together, or when her husband returns from his trip.

Cosmetics in any case not intended to draw attention to themselves strangers in the street. If a woman is going to walk in the afternoon meeting, it should not use perfume. When her hands wearing makeup, she wears gloves. In addition to the family circle, afternoon meeting, women are more able - or even a public duty - to use and to demonstrate "means of beauty." Here, firstly, should include daily visits to relatives, girlfriends and neighbors, which occur mainly in the afternoon to evening prayer. Even more important in our context are visits during religious or family celebrations, such as birth, circumcision, marriage, the return of the pilgrimage. Those and other visits are often made without warning, especially if there is no phone.

In this case, and the hostess, and visitor has a role. Along with the use of spirits, fumigation is, above all, a part of the greeting ritual. "Odors are an essential part of hospitality: it is believed that they contribute to creating a very relaxed atmosphere" (Meneley A. Tournaments of Value. Sociability and Hierarchy in Yemeni Town. Toronto, 1996). Compliance with all customs hostess has the honor to their guests.

Similarly, the visitor, using cosmetics, shows his respect for the hostess. The coloring of ink from the bile is an expression of close relations between the parties. Each new incoming visitor carefully scanning the present and evaluated. Evaluated as the observance of common rules, and originality of women, the use of her own recipes and, of course, its material capabilities, which are also demonstrated in this case. The coloring of the body, the use of spirits and funds for fumigation reflect the social status of women. They pay attention to no less than on clothing and jewelry, discuss them and asks: "Who made your coloring?", "Where to buy the means for fumigation?", "How much does it cost?" etc.