Israel vs Egypt
There are numerous significant cultural differences between the Egypt and Israel. The tension between these differences has contributed to the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. LTC William D. Wunderle identifies a number of dimensions of cultural variances useful for analyzing and comparing cultures. 1 Wunderle’s cultural variations of Languages, Customs, Dress, Religions, Formality, and Power Distance will be analyzed and contrasted. 2 Today Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty represents a volatile situation that might have been averted with good cultural awareness on both sides.
CULTURAL CONTRACT 1- LANGUAGES, CUSTOMS, DRESS, RELIGIONs
One significant difference between Egypt and Israel is their Religion. Egypt believes in multiple Gods and Israel in one God. Egypt basic profession of faith is one of the five pillars of the religion. The other four are the Ramadan fast, the pilgrimage to Mecca, the five daily prayers, and the giving of alms. For many Muslims these five pillars sum up the belief system and indicate the practices. Egyptians frequently invoke the notion of God and his power. Any statement about the future, for instance, is likely to contain the injunction, "God willing," showing that the ultimate determination of the intention is up to God. Current mainstream practice in Egypt is to focus on the core beliefs of Islam, and to be concerned with learning the "law" of Islam, the particular details of everyday life that believing Muslims must follow to be in accord with God 's will as interpreted by specialists. The authority here is the word of God as found in the Koran. The prayer leader (imam) can be anyone in religious good standing, although established mosques usually have a regular imam. The Friday sermon is said by a khatib, many of whom are trained in religious institutes. There have been debates over whether women can play these roles, especially that of a teacher of religion to women and girls.3
In Israel the official religion is Judaism. Eighty percent
CULTURAL CONTRACT 1- LANGUAGES, CUSTOMS, DRESS, RELIGIONs
One significant difference between Egypt and Israel is their Religion. Egypt believes in multiple Gods and Israel in one God. Egypt basic profession of faith is one of the five pillars of the religion. The other four are the Ramadan fast, the pilgrimage to Mecca, the five daily prayers, and the giving of alms. For many Muslims these five pillars sum up the belief system and indicate the practices. Egyptians frequently invoke the notion of God and his power. Any statement about the future, for instance, is likely to contain the injunction, "God willing," showing that the ultimate determination of the intention is up to God. Current mainstream practice in Egypt is to focus on the core beliefs of Islam, and to be concerned with learning the "law" of Islam, the particular details of everyday life that believing Muslims must follow to be in accord with God 's will as interpreted by specialists. The authority here is the word of God as found in the Koran. The prayer leader (imam) can be anyone in religious good standing, although established mosques usually have a regular imam. The Friday sermon is said by a khatib, many of whom are trained in religious institutes. There have been debates over whether women can play these roles, especially that of a teacher of religion to women and girls.3
In Israel the official religion is Judaism. Eighty percent
References: Through the Lens of Cultural Awareness: A Primer for US Armed Forces Deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern Countries by William D. Wunderle. 1 & 2 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/searchResult?q=egypt+religion. 3 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/searchResult?q=israel+religion. http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/egypt.htm. 5 http://geert-hofstede.com/israel.html. 6 http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/03/israel-complains-to-un-after-syria-tanks-enter-demilitarized-zone/. 7 http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-volatile-sinai-puts-israel-and-egypts-peace-in-question.