The modern phenomena of globalization is having effects on Arab cultural traditions in Arab communities in many ways, like in language, education, media and customs. Globalization is making the world becoming a "global village" and the result is Arab communities cultural traditions are changing and are threaten to be lost .
Globalization is not easy to define, but we can say it is process of integrating the world's economies, trade, business and communications together. The problem is the culture that is dominate is the West, many people feel to be "globalized" means to do everything like America and the West. Ira Rifkin in his book, "Spiritual Perspective On Globalization" define globalization how different religions and traditions understand it, include Islam which is the religion many Arabs follow. In his opinion, globalization on cultural level is the spread of the influence of West culture, which he calls western mono-culture (Rifkin, 2003, p.170). This argument is also support by Dr Houda Abdul Nasser who write, "The U.S. is seeking to project American culture as a model for a global culture that should be disseminated over international communications networks, with no restrictions whatsoever" (Abdul Nasser, 1999).
The first way globalization is effect Arab culture and tradition is in Arabic language and daily communication. Many young Arabs now choose to speak English instead of Arabic, or speak Arabic mix with English, and write Arabic using English alphabet. When they speak English they usually put American accent. Also less Arabs in their daily communication use religious Arabic phrases like "Masha'allah" (What Allah Wills) and "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah) because of globalization: "In the rest of the ...
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...d by West and American cultures and Arabs are also influence and becoming westernized and americanized. The challenge is to hold on and preserve Arab cultural traditions and heritage so that as globalization progress they do not get lost.
Works Cited
• Abdul Nasser. Dr. Houda. Gamal. 1999. "Arabs, Arab-Americans and Globalization". Al Hewar Center Inc. http://www.alhewar.com/HGANasser.htm
• Castleton. Barbara. Marrow. John. A. 2007. "The Impact of Globalization on the Arabic Language" . Intercultural Communication Studies XVI : 2 2007. http://www.uri.edu/iaics/content/2007v16n2/16%20John%20A.%20Morrow%20&%20Barbara%20Castleton.pdf
• El Hawat. A. 2007. "Funding higher education in the Arab States:
Thoughts and reflections on the topic" . UNESCO Forum for Higher Education, Research and Knowledge. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001577/157790e.pdf
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