Introduction
In a world shaped by such forces as globalization, industrialization, and international trade, promoting different cultural systems and creating new social worlds are common activities. Culture is a complex concept because it is predetermined by human knowledge, morals, and beliefs. There are many approaches to better understanding culture, and I prefer to view it through lifeways and available social products (Eller, 2020, p. 21).
Although Dubai is an international and modern city more than any other in the United Arab Emirates, its culture is predetermined by the religion of Islam and multiple traditions rooted in Arab history. My experience helps me identify the forces that change and maintain culture and prove the importance of connections between generations.
Understanding Culture and Religion
Today, people pay much attention to culture and its impact on human behaviors, relationships, and decisions. Following the theoretical principles of functionalism, culture is “internally differentiated, multiple functional, and structured” (Eller, 2020, p. 26). Kottak (2018, p. 19) underlines that cultural learning is critical for people to “create, remember, and deal with ideas”. Thus, it is correct to believe that culture defines how people think and behave within their communities.
Despite the offered definitions, I think that culture cannot be properly recognized within certain boundaries as it goes beyond the preferred behaviors and languages. My culture is based on beliefs, values, and choices I make and follow every day. It defines what I am and how I should cooperate with the world. There are about 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe who would probably share my ideas and understanding of Islam and the worth of Arab culture (Hughes, 2021, p. 3). Family relationships, social loyalty, and modesty are what my cultural background identifies. I will never ignore the principles according to which my family lives. I will never put my personal needs and interests over my religion. Still, I will always know that my religion and culture protect my body and soul. I can call Islam, with its strong belief in Allah, my culture.
Although culture is usually associated with stability and order, it is not always easy to predict the impact of forces that are at work. On the one hand, there are several critical forces that might change my culture. Kottack (2018, p. 31) introduce such mechanisms of cultural change as diffusion, globalization, and acculturation. The diffusion of Islam is currently observed through military affairs and trade relationships, which provoke borrowing traits from different cultures. Acculturation is inevitable due to the West’s impact on Islam and the promotion of modernity in modern cultures (Hughes, 2021, p. 16). Finally, globalization changes my culture by developing new international relations, tourism, and traveling (Kottak, 2018, p. 31). I cannot ignore the impact of the media on human lives and the choices they make. The Internet has no boundaries and shows how cultures co-exist and change with time.
On the other hand, many forces continue maintaining Islam, as well as other cultures. They include history, interpersonal communication, traditions, and biology that will never disappear. It is impossible to be a part of the Islamic culture and religion and neglect family responsibilities, respect for older generations, and the history that makes Arabs who they are. Multiple standards of human behaviors are deeply rooted in my religion, and it is simply unnatural to break or misunderstand them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to underline that my understanding of culture and its connection to religion is derived from both – the material I learned in the books and my personal experiences. I know that today’s world is constantly changing, including cultural and religious transformations. It is possible to address the forces of acculturation or globalization that might change Islam and its impact on people. However, I prefer to admire our history and the quality of relationships where respect, trust, and order prevail.
References
Eller, J. D. (2020). Cultural anthropology: Global forces, local lives (4th ed.). Routledge.
Hughes, A. W. (2021). Islam and its history. In R. Lukens-Bull & M. Woodward (Eds.), Handbook of contemporary Islam and Muslim lives (pp. 3-18). Springer.
Kottak, C. P. (2018). Cultural anthropology: Appreciating cultural diversity (18th ed.). McGraw Hill.