Why Arabs have had difficult time in adapting to the American way of life?

Answer 1

____________________________

It is incorrect to suggest any particular person or all members of a particular group as identified by race, religion, or other cultural differences have a difficult time adapting to the way of life in any adopted country.

Humans are highly adaptable by nature, but some more so than others. So, a person moving from, for example, the United Kingdom to another English-speaking country, will adjust to many differences, from climate and clothing to shopping and schooling, and so on.

Some of our hypothetical UK migrants might thoroughly enjoy their new environment; others might see only the differences they don't like, and drift into social groups with other like-minded expatriates, where much complaining about their new country might happen.

Others, while enjoying the company of those from their old country, will merge happily into their new environment and see richness in changes where others might see themselves as deprived of their old ways.

These variations in attitudes can occur within the scope of even a small family; eventually a healthy family adjusts to the benefit of all.

Homesickness is inevitable in all of us, and the greater the changes we experience, the greater the homesickness.

But America, and all other countries built on Immigration, are testament to the adaptability of people.

There will always be a minority - frequently a very noisy one - which objects to newcomers, particularly if they seem obviously different and very especially if they look different. Don't be swayed by media reports which seek to magnify problems experienced by those adapting to a new environment. These reports, and those who encourage them, cause problems while never attempting to reach out with a friendly greeting to someone who might be feeling strange and bewildered, and a little scared.

Instead of focusing on differences, focus on similarities. We're all the same, where it doesn't show, and we need to feel safe and comfortable in order to adapt to new surroundings, whether we're a child on our first day at the same school all our siblings and friends are attending, or whether we're a family just arriving in a brand new country which will be our home.

____________________________

Arabs or Muslims mostly, have strong connections to their Religion and believe that anyone who disrespects their religion should be executed. Also, in Muslim countries, the religion law is followed strictly, so when the go to America and Westernised countries they are unfamiliar with their way of life because of their strict culture.

The main reason they don't adapt well is because of the different type of laws in other countries which they are not used to.

Answer 2

The Muslim experience in America has generally been positive, although any new culture or religious tradition will at times encounter suspicion (or curiosity) from the majority. Muslims built one of their first mosques in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they were peddlers and tradesmen; there have been mosques in a number of cities in the Eastern United States and also on the west coast. Today, one of the states with the largest Muslim populations is Michigan.

American Muslims, especially those who came here from foreign countries where Islam was the dominant religion and life was much more traditional, have had to decide how many traditions to keep and how many to set aside. This happens to all immigrant groups. Some American Muslim women cover their hair, for example, while others do not. Some Muslim men have a beard, while others do not. The majority of American Muslims seem to have found a middle ground, dressing more like Americans at school or work, and dressing traditionally at the mosque or at family gatherings.

Some Muslims find it difficult to adapt to the freedom in America, while others quickly become comfortable with it. Muslim women also find America very different, since our gender roles allow a wider range of careers and opportunities for women than there are in many Muslim countries. But undoubtedly, the biggest culture shock for Muslims who come to America is the change from living in a majority Islamic country to living in a country where there is separation of religion and government, and where Muslims make up perhaps 3% of the population.

One other problem for Arab (and non-Arab) Muslims has been the mistrust, fear and prejudice that occurred after the attacks on America on September 11, 2001. Although American Muslims were not to blame, and while most American Muslims were appalled by what Osama bin Laden did, some people (stirred up by certain preachers and politicians) lashed out at American Muslims; it should be noted, however, that in most cities, the Christian and Jewish populations rushed to defend their Muslim neighbors, and little damage was done to Muslim businesses, or mosques. Despite occasional outbursts of intolerance, for the most part, American Muslims are well on their way to being accepted in American life. Many are in college, or moving up in their chosen profession.