Download RUNNING HEAD: Food and Religion Food and Religion in Cultures

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RUNNING HEAD:
Food and Religion
Food and Religion in Cultures
Carie McDonald
Multi-Cultural Perspective and Global Trends
4 August 2013
Joni Chamberlain
Southwestern College Professional Studies
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RUNNING HEAD:
Food and Religion
I have never read the Koran or made friends with an Arab. I have eaten Middle Eastern
food, as I have spent time in Cyprus, Qatar, and of course I’m currently in Afghanistan. The
one thing I remember about the food in Cyprus was the lamb kabobs or shawarmas. I fell in
love with lamb meat during my time in Cyprus. I would go every Friday to the local restaurant
on base and get some kabobs and the weird lettuce only salad they served. I did some research
on www.about.com (although not credible, it did provide a good list of foods for me to look at)
and I found that I have had hummus, and pita bread from Cyprus and Qatar. Which I enjoy
eating it I do not eat it all the time. Since being in Afghanistan, I will admit I have only eaten
some bread that was made by a local vendor that sells his jewelry on base. I was not wowed by
the bread but it was good. It had a bland, dry but fluffy taste to it and it was braided which
reminded me of friendship bread that my mom used to make. Living in America has given me a
wide variety of options for food, as I can buy hummus and pita bread anytime I want. My
choices in religion is even long compared to other countries. Some countries do not have a
choice in religion practices, as in Saudi Arabia’s case.
Religion in Saudi Arabia is drastically different from that in The United States.
According to an article by the U.S. Department of State, Saudi Arabia does not practice freedom
of religion. The government actually prohibits the public practice of non-Muslim religions, due
to the legal system being based on Islamic law and Islam is the official religion. Ironically
citizens are broken up into two groups, when it comes to religion: the majority are Sunni
Muslims, which is what the government enforces; the other is Shi’a Muslims and about 2 million
chose to practice this. Being members of the Shi’a Muslim group mean facing discrimination,
low employment and education and even restrictions on practicing their form of religion. The
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Food and Religion
government requires all citizens to be Muslims and practice the official religion of Islam and the
Koran has been declared as the constitution. The differences in the way religion plays a role in
Saudi Arabia versus religion in The United States are apparent and can be summed up by stating
there is no separation in religion and state. ("International religious freedom," 2004) Some other
tidbits of information regarding the Muslim religion, Muslims are expected to pray five times a
day and do not work on Fridays. ("Arab business etiquette," 2009-2013) One major holiday,
Ramadan, is very important and known as a festival in Islam. The article, Discovering the true
meaning of Ramadan explains that it is more than just a fasting during the day and binge eating
at night. This holiday marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts roughly
29-30 days. Muslims refrain from food and liquid during the day and pray instead, Muslims are
also supposed to refrain from sex, tobacco products, arguments, and malicious behavior. The
significance comes from it being the month that the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet
Mohammed. (Saeed, 2012) The United States has religious holidays in the calendar as well, but
the people of The United States understand religions in a different way.
The Unites States has one main religion, Christianity however, because of the freedom of
religion law people are permitted to practice any religion without repercussions. Religion tends
to run The United States just like Islam runs Saudi Arabia, however it is not to that extreme.
Religion tends to play a part in making state and federal laws in The United States however, The
United States practices the separation of church and state. The people of The Unites States do
not get killed by lawmakers due to the religious affiliation they choose. In a 2008 Gallup Poll,
65% of Americans said religion is an important part of their daily lives (Newport, 2009). A
major Christian holiday that is celebrated across The United States is Christmas. Like
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Ramadan, Christmas has religious ties as being the birthday of Jesus Christ, the one worshipped
by Christians. In a study done in 2008, 81% of Americans identify themselves as Christians,
93% celebrate Christmas (Newport, 2008). Although Islam and Christianity have major
holidays, both use a book (the Bible or the Koran) to support religious findings, and have a large
number of followers, there are differences. American’s are not tied to Christianity, they can
practice whatever religion entices them because of the freedom of religion law.
It is a common fact that you have to eat in order to survive and when traveling to other
countries, there is little choice but to just try the food. I have learned through trying new things,
what I like and what I do not like. I have not found too many foreign places that do not have
decent food. Food is not like religion though and through it all the one big difference between
Saudi Arabia and The United States is the freedom, or lack thereof to practice what one chooses.
The two countries have similar religious structures in that there is a book that should be abided
by, both have sacred holidays, and both have one God. Food and religion are on two different
spectrums, it is too bad that religion in some countries cannot be like food, in that you can try a
little bit of everything.
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References
Arab business etiquette vs. american business etiquette. (2009-2013). Retrieved from
http://www.arabamericangiving.org/arab-business-etiquette-vs-american-business-etiquet
te.php
International religious freedom report 2004. (2004). Retrieved from
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2004/35507.htm
Newport, F. (2008, Dec 24). In the u.s., christmas not just for christians. Retrieved from
http://www.gallup.com/poll/113566/US-Christmas-Not-Just-Christians.aspx
Newport, F. (2009, Jan 28). State of the states: Importance of religion. Retrieved from
http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/state-states-importance-religion.aspx
Saeed, S. (2012, July 19). Discovering the true meaning of ramadan. Retrieved from
http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/discovering-the-true-meaning-of-ramadan