1. Gender Relations in Arab-speaking world
Connections 9.3
Gender Relations in Arab-speaking world

2. Essential questions
How are men and women treated in Arab-speaking cultures related to Islam?
How are women trying to modernize in Arab speaking cultures?
What are cultural dimensions of the Arab culture?

3. Activating Islamic Values – Poetry Activity Group 1 = Adawiyya
Group 2 = Rumi
Group 3 = iqbal
Group 4 = Arabi
Group 5 = Ozak
Group 6 = Seder
Group 7 = al Horoun
Group 8 = al Shafi
Classic Poems
What values does your poem seem to be espousing?
As a class we will create a master list on chart paper of the values described by your poems.

4. Connecting How much Arabic do you speak?
How much Arabic do you speak worksheet
Make sure to underline any words you think may have an Arabic connection
Once you receive the answer sheet, answer the two questions.
Are you surprised that English speaking cultures use Arabic words?

5. connecting Islamic dress code
Anyone traveling to an Arab country will notice the different dress code. In this activity, you will learn about the dress code for men and women.
The class will be divided into 4 groups, each group will research the topic of the Islamic dress code using the resources provided and prepare a two page paper explaining the types of dress of Muslim men and women.

6. continued The paper at a minimum should include the following points:
1) the religious basis of the dress code
2) the dress code for men explaining the names and types of dress
3) the dress code for women explaining the names and types of dress
4) how do the dress codes change in different countries
5) one drawing or photograph of each of the types of men’s and women’s dress
Website resources:
Muslim clothing facts
Women’s Traditional Clothing in Muslim Countries
Dress Codes
-islam/islamic-law-in-daily-life/dress-codes.htm
The Islamic Dress Code

7. connections Women’s Rights Jigsaw Activity Video
Saudi Woman Campaigns for Right to Drive
group 1 = education
Group 2 = work
Group 3 = marriage
Group 4 = divorce
Group 5 = politics/suffrage
(make a copy of websites and articles)

8. Franks: Women’s Rights in the Arab World
Sabra: Women’s Rights in the Arab World: Equality, not just Before the Law
Macleod: What’s Holding Back Arab Women?
Out of the Shadows, into the World
Now is the Time
Nelson: In a Land of a Few Rights, Saudi Women Fight to Vote

9. Connections
Power Distance, Individualism/Collectivism, and Masculinity/Femininity
Review each dimension….
Cultural Dimensions in Arabic Countries Activity Sheet
Hofstede Centre (Chose a country from the “select a country” drop down menu. For Libya, chose the “Arab World”)

10. summarizing
Listen to the following NPR broadcast and answer the questions below:
What Will Uprisings Mean for Women in the Arab World?
What are some of the advances in Women’s rights that people hope to see as a result of the Arab Spring?
What happens in the event of a divorce in the Arab world?
What dot the family laws include?
How can women’s rights be developed?