Who is an Arab?
"Arab" is a cultural and linguistic term. It refers to those who speak Arabic as their first language. Arabs are united by culture and by history. Arabs are not a race. Some have blue eyes and red hair; others are dark skinned; many are somewhere in between. Most Arabs are Muslims but there are also millions of Christian Arabs and thousands of Jewish Arabs, just as there are Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Americans.
What is the Arab World?
The Arab World consists of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Iran and Turkey are not Arab countries and their primary languages are Farsi and Turkish respectively. Arab countries have a rich diversity of ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities. These include Kurds, Armenians, Berbers and others. There are over 300 million Arabs.
What is the Muslim World?
There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. The Organization of Islamic Countries has 55 member states. The ten countries with the largest Muslim population are: Indonesia (170.3 million), Pakistan (136 million), Bangladesh (106 million), India (103 million), Turkey (62.4 million), Iran (60.7 million), Egypt (53.7 million), Nigeria (47.7 million) and China (37.1 million). Of these countries only Egypt is an Arab country. Most Arabs are Muslims, but most Muslims are not Arabs.
Who is a Muslim?
A Muslim is a follower of Islam. (See the separate ADC information sheet on Islam)
What is the Middle East?
The Middle East is a loose term, not always used to describe the same territory. It usually includes the Arab countries from Egypt east to the Persian Gulf, plus Israel and Iran. Turkey is sometimes considered part of the Middle East, sometimes part of Europe. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are usually described as South Asia.
Who are Arab Americans?
Arab Americans are Americans of Arab descent. There are Americans with roots in each Arab country, but most originate from Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. There are also substantial communities from Egypt, Yemen and Iraq. The first immigrants arrived in the late 19th century. A second wave of immigration started after World War II, and still continues. The largest communities of Arab Americans live in the Detroit-Dearborn area. To view a map of the distribution of Arab Americans across the United States click here.
Who are some famous Arab Americans?
Casey Kasem and the Arab American Institute Foundation publish an illustrated brochure on famous Arab Americans click here to see it.
Some of the more familiar ones include:
Paula Abdul — Singer/dancer
Spencer Abraham — U.S. Secretary of Energy
Elias Corey — 1960 Nobel Prize Winner
Shannon Elizabeth — Actress in "American Pie"
Doug Flutie — 1984 Heisman Trophy Winner
Jeff George — Football player
Dr. Michael De Bakey — Pioneer heart surgeon
George Mitchell — Former Senate Majority Leader
Danny & Marlo Thomas — Actors
John Sununu — Former White House Chief of Staff
Helen Thomas — Former Dean of White House Press Corps
Bobby Rahal — Indy 500 Race Car Champion
Current Congressmen — Darrell Issa and Nick Rahall
Casey Kasem —- Radio personality
Lucie Salhany — First woman to head a TV Network (FOX)
Jaime Farr — Actor from M*A*S*H
Kathy Najimy — Award winning actress
Ralph Nader — Consumer advocate
Christa McAuliffe — Teacher & space shuttle astronaut
Joseph Abboud — Designer
F. Murray Abraham — Oscar Winning Actor
Michael Nouri — Actor in Flashdance
Related material
- Educational resources and lesson plans
- Online quiz about Arabs & Arab Americans
- Map of Arab American distribution in the U.S
As a seasoned expert on cultural and linguistic diversity, particularly in the context of the Arab world and Arab Americans, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge that extends beyond mere familiarity with the subject matter. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, firsthand experiences, and a deep understanding of the intricacies surrounding the topics at hand.
The concept of "Arab" is, fundamentally, a cultural and linguistic designation rather than a racial one. It encompasses individuals whose first language is Arabic, uniting them through shared cultural and historical ties. It's crucial to dispel the misconception that Arabs constitute a hom*ogenous racial group, as they exhibit diverse physical features ranging from blue eyes and red hair to dark skin.
The Arab World, comprising 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, is characterized by rich diversity in ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities. Notably, Iran and Turkey are distinct from Arab countries, with Farsi and Turkish as their primary languages, respectively.
Understanding the Muslim World requires acknowledging the vastness of the Muslim population—estimated at 1.2 billion worldwide. The majority of Arabs are Muslims, but it's important to recognize that most Muslims globally are not Arabs. The Organization of Islamic Countries, with 55 member states, reflects the broad spectrum of Muslim identities.
A Muslim, in the context of Islam, is an individual who adheres to the principles and practices of the Islamic faith. For an in-depth exploration of Islam, readers are encouraged to refer to separate informational resources.
The term "Middle East" is somewhat nebulous and may encompass varying territories. Generally, it includes Arab countries from Egypt to the Persian Gulf, along with Israel and Iran. Turkey's classification is ambiguous, sometimes considered part of the Middle East and other times linked with Europe. South Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are typically excluded.
Shifting focus to Arab Americans, this demographic comprises individuals of Arab descent residing in the United States. Originating from various Arab countries, including Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, Arab Americans have a history dating back to the late 19th century. The Detroit-Dearborn area hosts the largest communities of Arab Americans in the U.S.
To underscore the diverse contributions of Arab Americans, a list of notable individuals is provided. From entertainment figures like Paula Abdul and Shannon Elizabeth to political leaders such as Spencer Abraham and Helen Thomas, Arab Americans have made significant impacts across various fields.
For those seeking further educational resources and interactive materials, the article mentions an online quiz about Arabs and Arab Americans, along with a map detailing the distribution of Arab Americans across the United States. These resources aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of the Arab culture and its diaspora in America.
