MIDDLE EAST

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Israel

Food: Families will always gather for Sabbath dinners, though they may not eat all together on all other days. A prayer is always said at the table to thank the Creator for food.

The Arts and Music: Israel blends the arts of Jews with European heritage, Middle-Eastern or North-African heritage, and African heritage. Dance plays an important role in religious and communal life of people in Israel. Folk dancing is constantly developing

History: The Hebrew kingdom was established by the 12 tribes of Israel that came out of Egypt with Moses. After the Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine and Israel, the inhabitants were mostly Arabs, but living in harmony with the Jews.

Fun Facts: By law, all Jews in the world have the right to citizenship in Israel, as long as they can prove their Jewish heritage or are recognized converts. There are no civil marriages in Israel; all weddings msut be performed by a religious authority. A native-born Israeli is known as a tsabar, an analogy for the Israeli personality (perceived as tough, but is kind and generous). Israel does not have a written constitution.

Syria

Food: Mealtimes are important to Syrian families and children must wait for their father to come home before they all sit down to eat. Finishing one's food shows gratitude to the hosts.

The Arts and Music: National folk traditions are encouraged by the state. Traditional handicrafts include metalwork, filigree jewelry, marquetry, and silkl embroidery.

History: Syria, once dominated by the Ottomans, was soon committed under the French Mandate in 1920 and gained independence in 1946.

Fun Facts: Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited campitals in the world. It is customary for Syrians to applaud when President Assad's name is mentioned during public speeches. Syrians pass items with the right hand or both hands but not the left alone. Wheat is Syria's staple grain; lamb is the most popular meat.

Iran

Food: Breakfast is not a priority meal, and Islamic tradition encourages Muslims to eat salt before a meal.

The Arts and Music: The weaving of Persian carpets is an ancient Iranian art form. The carpets feature geometric patterns and floral designs with red being the most prominant color used.

History: Iran is commonly known as Persia, sharing a history with Greater Iran, comprising of the area from Anatolia, the Bosphorus, and Egypt as well as Ancient India and Syr Darya.

Fun Facts: Iran's offical language is Persian, or Frsi. Shi'i Islam has been Iran's state religion since the 1500s. Some Iranians celebrate the Persian New Year by jumping over a bonfire. To show respect and maintain proper distance between genders, men and women do not always make eye contact during conversation.

Iraq

Food:

The Arts and Music:

History:

Fun Facts: When engaged in conversation, Iraqis tend to stand close to one another and use a good deal of physical contact. To express respect, especially to an elder, a person will avoid eye contact during conversation. Most meals end with dark, sweet tea that is often flavored with cinnamon or cardamom. Early marriage is encouraged, especially in rural Iraq.

Afghanistan

Food: Afghans usually sit on the floor around a mat on which food is served. To eat, one uses the right hand or piece of naan.

The Arts and Music: Afghan carpets, gold and silver jewelry, and embroidery are tradiional Afghan arts. Instability prevented people from creating these works. Buddhist, Hindu, and other pre-Islamic religious statues and works of religious art were destroyed by the Taliban. Traditional music follows ethnic divisions.

History: The Indus Valley civilization stretched to northern Afghanistan. Alexander the Great conquered this area in 330 BCE and established a "gateway," impinging on the Silk Road. The culture of Afghanistan is heavily influenced by the Indo-Iranians and Arabs.

Fun Facts: 32 languages and dialects are spoken in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's highest mountain risess to 24,550 feet. Homes often have a special guest room called a mehman-khana, where the male host receives male guests. Many people, especially children, wear a tawiz (amulet) to protect against evil.