Understanding Arab Americans IMMIGRATION SEMINAR Cultural Issues in the Defense of Non-U.S. Citizens September 2003

1. Understanding Arab Americans
IMMIGRATION SEMINAR
Cultural Issues in the Defense of Non-U.S. Citizens
September 2003
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
(ACCESS)
Educational Outreach Initiative

2. The Arab World
• The Arab world refers to the 22 Arab countries expanding from the
African shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the Arab/Persian Gulf in
Asia

3. The Arab World versus the Middle East
•The Middle East is a geopolitical term created by the British Empire
•Includes some Arab countries and non-Arab countries Iran, Turkey
and Israel
•Differences in language and culture

4. Who are the Arab Americans?
• Arab Americans are descendents from any of
the 22 Arab countries
• Ethnicity:
– Based on a shared language of Arabic
– Shared culture and traditions
– Not related to religion
• Constitute an ethnicity made up of several
waves of immigrants

5. Arab Immigrants Admitted to U.S. (1987-2002)
40,000
35,000 Egypt
30,000 Iraq
25,000 Jordan
20,000 Lebanon
15,000
Morocco
Sudan
10,000
Syria
5,000
Yemen
0
Other
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
02
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

6. Arab Americans
Demographic Information

7. Ancestry of Arab Americans by Primary Identification
Based on U.S. Census 2000 data
Lebanese
Iraqi* 39%
M oroccan
3%
3%
Palest inian
6%
Ot her A rab**
A rab/ A rabic
7%
18%
Egypt ian
Syrian
12%
12%
* Excludes persons who identify as Chaldeans, Assyrians or other Christian minorities from Iraq.
**Includes those from Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Does not include persons from Sudan, Somalia, or
Mauritania
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

8. Arab American Demographics:
Iraqi Americans in US
5 Counties in US with Largest Iraqi
Population
•Oakland, MI: 24,743
•Cook, IL: 15,681
•Macomb, MI: 11,829
•San Diego, CA : 9,080
• Wayne, MI: 5,930
Arab American Institute, based on Census 2000

9. Religious Affiliations of Arab Americans
Based on Zogby International Survey (2002)
Roman /
Eastern
Catholic*
35%
Muslim**
24%
Eastern *Eastern Catholic includes Roman Catholic,
Orthodox*** Maronite, and Melkite (Greek Catholic) rites.
18% **Muslim includes Sunni, Shi’a, and Druze.
Other
***Eastern Orthodox includes Antiochian,
Protestant Religion / Syrian, Greek and Coptic rites.
10% No
Affiliation
13%
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

10. Geographic Dispersion of Arab Americans in the US
Based on Zogby International Research
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

11. Largest Arab American Populations
by Metropolitan Area
Based on Zogby International Estimates (1995)
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
J
C
*
o
s
N
it
D
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rk
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ro
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Yo
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et
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hi
to
D
An
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ew
C
ng
ea
s
N
hi
Lo
th
as
or
W
N
* Does not include Long Island or Yonkers
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

12. Where Arab Americans Experience
Discrimination
Source: AAIF Commissioned Survey
(May 2002)
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
ol ork nc
es th e
r
sur
e
ho In the past
Sc W
ai n ta O
No
t
qu
Ac Since Sept. 11
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

13. Changes in Habits Since Sept. 11
Based on AAIF Commissioned Survey
Do less Do the same Do more
35%
10%
43% 42%
6%
47% Do not
speak Arabic
47% 14%
Feel comfortable Engage in
speaking Arabic discussions about
around non-Arabs events in the
Middle East
© 2003 Arab American Institute Foundation www.aaiusa.org

14. Working with Arab Americans
Cultural Characteristics

15. Perceptions of Law Enforcement
• Influenced by the role and reputation of law
enforcement in the Arab World
– Mukhabarat
– Different sectors of law enforcement officials
• Responsibilities
• Hierarchy
• Perceptions: No difference btw divisions
• Different methods
• Traffic stops

16. Communicating with
Arab Americans
• Language
– May pose a barrier
– Children may act as intermediaries
• Communication is generally indirect
– Versus direct form used by Americans
• Way message is conveyed is important
– Tone of voice
– Level of politeness
• Non-verbal cues are often used

17. Arab American
Cultural Characteristics
• Collectivism
– Family
– Close-knit communities
– One is a reflection of their family
• Reputation
– Experienced collectively
– Dignity and Honor important and protected
– Shame
• Name Recognition
– Abu/Um
– Family name

18. Arab American Culture:
Conflict Resolution & Repercussions
• Traditional methods of conflict resolution
– Between families
– Distrust of law enforcement
• Differences in regards to punishment between
parts of the Arab world and the US
– Can lead to paranoia/anxiety
– Distrust

19. Cultural and Religious Practices:
Interactions
• Avoiding eye contact
– Some Muslims do not make eye contact
with someone of the opposite sex
– Act of modesty and respect for members
of opposite sex
– Should not be misconstrued as being
dishonest, guilty or “shady”

20. Cultural and Religious Practices:
Interactions
• Handshaking
– Response Varies
– Some Arab American Muslim men and women
may not shake hands for religious reasons
– Best Practice: See if they extend their hand first
• Dietary Restrictions for Muslim Americans
– Concept of Halal
– No pork products
– No Alcohol

21. Arab Americans
Gender-based interactions
• Men
– May react emotionally
– Honor/Shame/Pride rank very high
– Often authority figure
• Women
– Be modest in interactions
– Discussing sensitive topics
• Children
– Intermediaries
– Fear

22. Religious Practices:
Interactions
• Hijab
– Worn in front of all men except blood relatives
– If asked to be removed in front of non-related
males, maybe be apprehensive and reluctant

23. Arab Community Center for
Economic and Social Services
(ACCESS)
Deana Rabiah
Education Outreach Coordinator
2601 Saulino Court
Dearborn, MI 48104
(313)843.2844
drabiah@accesscommunity.org
www.accesscommunity.org