Law Enforcement Contact with Arab Americans and Other Middle Eastern Groups

Multicultural Law Enforcement: Strategies for Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society, 4eShusta, Levine, Wong, Olson, Harris

© 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

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Law Enforcement Contact with Arab Americans and Other

Middle Eastern Groups

Chapter 8



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Learning Objectives for Chapter 8

Describe the historical background, demographics, and diversity within the Arab American and other Middle Eastern communities in the United States

Discuss the implications of communication styles, group identification terms, myths and stereotypes, and family structure of Arab Americans and other Middle Eastern groups for law enforcement



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Learning Objectives for Chapter 8

Describe the impact of the extended family and community, cultural practices, gender roles, generational differences, adolescent and youth issues on law enforcement contact

Highlight key law enforcement concerns and

skills, resources, and practices for addressing some of these concerns



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Should I say Arab, Arabic or Arabian?

Arab is a noun for a person, and is used as an adjective as in “Arab country”

Arabic is the name of the language; it is generally usedas an adjective only when describing the language (as in the "Arabic" language; the "Arabic" script)

Arabian is an adjective that refers to Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Peninsula, or as in Arabian horse

Detroit Free Press (2001): 100 Questions You Have Always Wanted to Ask about Arab Americans



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Middle Eastern Countries

1. Aden2. Bahrain3. Egypt4. Iran (non-Arab)5. Iraq6. Israel (non-Arab)7. Jordan8. Kuwait9. Lebanon

10.Oman11.Palestinian Authority12.Qatar13.Saudi Arabia14.Syria15.Turkey (non-Arab)16.United Arab Emirates17.Yemen



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Not All Middle Easterners are Arabs

Iran, Turkey, and Israel are non-Arab Countries

Not all Muslims are Arabs and vice versa

Many Arabs are Christians

Muslims are composed of dozens of ethnic groups



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Other Arab Countries Outside of the Middle East

Algeria

Tunisia

Morocco

Libya



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IRAN—Non-Arab Country

Iranians use Arabic script but speak mainly Farsi (Persian)

Majority are Muslims but of the Shi’ah sect of Islam

Persians are the largest group (50 percent) followed by Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Armenians and Assyrians

Extended family, pride, dignity, and honor are similar to the Arab world



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TURKEY—Non-Arab Country

Majority speak Turkish but some minority groups speak Kurdish, Arabic, and Greek

Majority are Muslim

Extended family and emphasis on pride, dignity, and honor are similar to the Arab world



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ISRAEL—Non-Arab Country

80 percent of population is Jewish

20 percent of population is Arab (Christians and Muslims)

Most Israeli Arabs are Palestinians from the Arab-Israeli war in 1948

Six-Day War in 1967 resulted in the Israeli occupation of land from parts of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan



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Arab Immigration to U.S.

First wave between 1880 and World War I from Syria (and now known as Lebanon)

Immigrated for economic reasons

90 percent Christian

Appreciated the police who were respectful

Farmers and artisans selling their goods from town to town



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Arab Immigration to U.S.Second Wave Came After WWII as Students/Professionals

Immigrated because of economic and politicalinstability (brought a “political consciousness”)

Largest group—Palestinians (around 1948)

Other groups—Lebanese, Yemenis, Syrians, and Iraqis

Second wave instrumental in changing the nature of the Arab-American community in the U.S.



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Demographics in the U.S.

4.0 million Americans of Arab ancestry (about 1 percent of the U.S. population)

12,000 visas issued in 2000 (with numbers droppingafter the September 11, 2001 attack)

Largest concentrations in Los Angeles/Orange County, Detroit, New York, Chicago, and

Washington, D.C.

Largest cluster of communities in California



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Differences and Similarities

Come from at least 13 different countries

Visitors from the Gulf states tend to be wealthy

Immigrants from Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine tend to be poor



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Basic Arab Values

Dignity, honor, and reputation are very important

Loyalty to family surpasses personal needs

Communication is courteous and hospitable

Adjusting the truth is self-justified to save face and honor



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Negative Stereotypes

Movies and television have depicted Arabs poorly

Portrayed as ruthless terrorists, greedy rich sheiks,religious fanatics, belly dancers

Western images of Arabs—Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor, Thief of Baghdad, harem dancers

Other stereotypic images in films and television



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“Terrorist” Stereotype and Post-9/11 Backlash

General Arab- and Muslim-bashing after September 11, 2001

Emergence of new legislations for search and detention

More stringent tracking of visitors and students

Requirements for voluntary interviews



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Islamic Religion

Not terrorists or fanatics

Is not Mohammadism

Allah is God not Mohammad

Mohammad was a prophet

Allah is the Arabic word for the God of Abraham (used by both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians)



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The Qur’an (Koran) and the Pillars of Islam

1. Profession of faith in Allah (God)2. Prayer five times daily3. Alms giving (concern for the needy)4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan (sunrise to sunset)5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) at

least once in each person’s lifetime



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Taboos in the Mosque

Other than emergencies, officers are advised to:

Avoid entering a mosque, or certainly the prayer room of a mosque, during prayers

Never step on a prayer mat or rug with your shoes on

Never place the Qur’an on the floor or put anything on top of it



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Taboos in the Mosque

Avoid walking in front of people who are praying

Speak softly while people are praying

Dress conservatively (both men and women arerequired to dress conservatively; shorts are notappropriate)

Invite people out of a prayer area to talk to them



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Ramadan: The Holy Month

One of the holiest periods in the Islamic religion:

Train oneself in self-discipline

Subdue the passions

Give people a sense of unity with all Muslims



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Ramadan: The Holy Month

29th day of the month at the new moon— holiday is over

People celebrate up to three days with a feast and other activities

Families pray in the Mosque on the last day



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Knowledge of Religious Practices

Help officers avoid creating problems andconflicts

Provide awareness necessary for clear communications of officer’s procedures

Facilitate understanding of similarities among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam



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Similarities between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

1. All three religions are monotheistic, that is, each has a belief in one God

2. All three believe that God is the origin of all, and is all-knowing as well as all-powerful

3. All three have a Holy BookA. Christianity—BibleB. Islam—Qur’anC. Judaism—Torah* The concept of the

10 Commandments are in all three



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Arab Family Structure

Arab Americans typically have close-knit families

Extended family members are often as closeas the “nuclear family”

Family loyalty and protection is one of thehighest values of family life

Newer refugees and immigrants may be reluctant to

accept police assistance



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Head of the Household

The man is overtly the head of the household Wife tends to be more “behind the scenes” Fathers are strict disciplinarians in many Arab

countries Roles have changed for established Arab Americans Men exert influence and power publicly



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Children and “Americanization”

Similar process for the second generation as found in other immigrant groups in the U.S.

Shame may be brought to the entire family if anindividual family member's behavior is inappropriate

— In rare and extreme cases, disgrace to the family can result in a crime against the family member perpetrator by the father or brother, for example



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Cultural Practices: Greetings, Approach, Touching, and Hospitality

Address with a title and their last names—Mr. or Miss (women keep maiden name)

Shake hands and then place right hand over the heart; men may kiss on the cheek

Public touching of the opposite sex is forbidden in the traditional Arabic world

Hospitality is a duty or obligation



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Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Warm, expressive and animated

Intimate space—“feel a person's breath”

Distinctly different gestures

Shout when they are excited or angry

Emotional and sometimes perceived as loud in communication style



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Perception of and Relationships with Police

Diversity of immigrants’ experiences with the police (before and after being in the U.S.)

Major differences in the institution and required responses to police in the Arab world

Punishment may be stricter in the home country

Police procedures may need to be carefully explained



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Women and Modesty

In the traditional Muslim world, women do not socialize freely with men and are required to dress modestly

Great deal of diversity in the U.S. among the groups

Officer’s sensitivity and awareness important

Police procedures may require accommodation



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Arab Small Business Owners

Racial and ethnic tensions exist between Arab grocers and liquor-store owners in low income areas (such as Detroit and Cleveland) and members of other minority communities

Dynamics between Arab store owners and African Americans are similar to Koreans and African Americans dynamics in the inner cities

The non-Arab often views the Arab as having money and exploiting the local residents for economic gain



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Hate Crimes against Arab AmericansPost-9/11

Hate crimes declined as community and law enforcement worked together

Top FBI officials met with Arab and Muslim leaders to provide assurances for safety and prosecution

Continued positive collaboration needed to prevent backlash

Local community efforts reinforced positive relationships



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Sensitivity to New Legislation

New Homeland Security measures require that many local and federal law enforcement officers be in contact with Arab American or Muslim American communities

Differences in police departmental participation



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Sensitivity to New Legislation (continued)

Importance of communication and collaboration with Arab American and Muslim American community leaders

Cultural awareness and sensitivity will help build stronger community relations and cooperative efforts



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2006 Vera Institute of Justice Study

“In the aftermath of September 11, Arab Americans have a greater fear of racial profiling and immigration enforcement than of falling victim to hates crimes.”

Documents

Law Enforcement Contact with Arab Americans and Other Middle Eastern Groups