Why Don't Arabs Read?

we should also consider the different types of learners... some learn through reading, seeing and hearing, or actual practice... the visual, tactile, etc...

as mentioned earlier, the best way to improve reading among kids is for their parents / guardians to set good examples - by having books at home and reading to and with them constantly... from there, kids will realize the power of reading and inshallah, will read until they mature...

Absolutely Fathima! You nailed it.

This is the real danger in being told something, being on the receiving end of information rather than actively exploring various resources in order to formulate your own point of view as to where the truth lies.

The audio-visual media which for the most part tells/shows us information is a very powerful brainwashing/mind-controlling tool of the masses. By the way, our noble Prophet Mohammed prophesied 1400 years ago that by the end of time, there would be a "fitnah" (a trial) that would be found in all Muslim homes. Many interpreters have interpreted it to be the TV set and I believe it to be so. Most TV channels are modern day musaylimah al kazab! They distort the truth, spread destructive rumors, incite violence, brainwash us/our children with tons of subliminals...

And yes, freedom to think, explore and get close to the truth is only accessed through reading which explains the first verse of the Quran that was revealed to our noble Prophet Mohammed which was a command to "read".

Young people today are just not motivated enough to read thanks to all the technological advancements giving them ample alternatives to the seemingly less glamorous pastime of reading books.

However the truth is nothing can compare to the power of reading it yourself.

IMO, the fact that they don't read and research on their own enough, and instead depend on various other sources to gain any knowledge,is why they tend to be more easily lead and prone to ignorance,brainwashing and blind-following.

Why read if it's not worth while reading...Arabs do read...

Arab world has the lowest number publication houses, lowest number of qualified universities, least number of readers, highest number of illiteracy, and lowest number of scientific publications and research per capita.

Now it’s up to the Arabs to act today 'n now 'n do something to change these horribly embarrassing figures or just continue sticking their heads in the sand.

britexpat said:

"Sadly, reading is diminishing all over the world. People tend to want to be 'told" things via the media , rather than enquire and broaden their minds."

Can't agree more (emphasis added by me). Hence, the question should be asked without the "Arab" part.

i have read your post , is that enough?

Valid point.

However, surely with the www , we have access to a wider variety of authors now.

Super Cool : Well said (:

I actually think it's logical

If u think about it for a bit, young ppl in general prefer to DO things than read about them....places, activities, food, etc...What’s stopping most young guys from acting out the things they wanna do is mostly money "granted they don't wanna commit crimes or anything hehehe"

Being that this region is probably on the "richer" side when it comes to young ppl...young ppl with extra cash end up far too busy for reading.

Plus they can afford a lot of modern technology, 3 Macbooks, 2 cellphones, and unlimited data plans, GOOGLE IS JUST ONE CLICK AWAY, no need to read anymore lol

I personally started enjoying reading because at some point in my youth I didn't have the financial means to travel and explore and eat out, etc so I picked up a book instead to pass time and it stuck with me til now.

which i guess they dnt even read it

I think there's another reason for this too; there're limited authors too; reading culture is entwined with writing culture; best of ideas (writing) comes when mind is free.

number of publications are less.

Frenchies:

Your comment just said it all.

Brit: Because there's more media.

Now we have TV Shows, Movies, and the Internet.

Most people would probably prefer movies over books, And here is why!

T.V shows, electronics and pc gaming ,partying, hanging out at malls, eating junk food and trying to hit on the gurls lol are far more interesting activities for this society’s youth, than

Sitting down and enjoying a good book. It’s just doesn't seem as prevalent anymore, which is really quite sad.

pappu....its universal.....

yah its universal not just arabs....

Demeter so...if it is not abt the age wht is ur age then hehehehehe....I for 1 hate reading and I have done fairly well for myself without reading to the xtent of a bookworm, if u know wht i mean.....

pretty and brite i too agree with you but its not with all the families behaving the same way

u can also find the same attitude with other nationals

cyaryas......during my school days halu halo na english and tagalog....its not pure already po....even in my filipino textbooks its mix with english already po....

tanq tanq KB....:))))

britexpat....i agree to you...

its parents responsibility to teach their children while they were still young to be responsible enough to focus on gaining knowledgeas they grow up....

but as i notice...."most" of parents nowadays just focus on their jobs and social life rather than spend their spare time for their children leaving them with just the care of maids....kalli walli if they learn or not....

PP yr comments are Relevant and genuine to the topic with greatfullness to the country yr paid for

tanq tanq nuwan...:))

Dear OP and others if dey wld be reading today u and I wld nt be here

L0L! Good one Pappu!

Why don't arabs brush their teeth?

Genuine question. Please don't oops me!

i don't think the Results are accurate

Studying books + holy Quran+ online reading should be added to the survey

ckaryas - cool! No worries Mr. I think it's not about the age for us to have knowledge and ideas. Studying and reading history gave me idea. and let's not talk about the age! lol!

well, I know it's not topic related, but it's already here so what to do yani. :-P lol!

Sadly, reading is diminishing all over the world. People tend to want to be 'told" things via the media , rather than enquire and broaden their minds.

This has to start in the schools. Children must be taught the joys of reading. The responsibility also comes down to parents - who should ensure that children read at home or before going to bed.

LOLS mast.k...........................:)

hi demeter... we're here to share info and ideas... i chill, no need to worry :)...

anyhow, sorry if i have to break this to you on this forum... and sorry if this is not the topic... i may be wrong with the date... but as far as i remember, our Pilipino language became Filipino language only in the late 80s... before that, we use Pilipino without the F, X and Z... no offense meant, but you might be too young that time to remember... :)

WE Arabs pay ppl like OP and others to come to our country to read and work for US LOLS

Spybot -- haha! I'm not. Papatayin kita as well!

Papatayin kita....lol

Demeter,,,y u blaming and shaming?????

Very interesting question. Why Arabs don't read?

I guess because they watch Turkish, Egyptian and Syrian soap operas instead.

I guess because they are busy watching football on TV.

I guess because AlJazeera is telling them everything they need to know.

I guess because books are too expensive to their taste.

I guess because parents are not instilling in their children the love of reading.

I guess because they are too busy facebooking, twittering, youtubing...

I guess because of the many hardships many parts of the Arab world are experiencing.

I guess because because they moved away from the dictates of their religion.

I guess because certain political regimes do not encourage their subjects to read and be educated as it's easier to subjugate the uneducated.

Sorry Guys, I ddin't mean it in bad way. I think we have freedom of speech right? Don't tell me it also has violations here?

Badly - Habibi. I can pronounce it better. Lol! And I have a good accent. I will not comment further coz u might misunderstood it again. And I don't start to make it a fight, you just get it wrong.

ckaryas - hello to you! yeah we don't have those letters in our PILIPINO ABAKADA, but I believe we are using English Alphabet since we we're colonized by Americans so we are using those letters and we don't rely on the ABAKADA thing. Again, I didn't mean it in bad way. ;)

Chill! :0)

MN yr post is irrelevant to qatar and QL .....

kaderbasha: Your comment is irrelevant to the topic.

A good start would be reading the speed limit signs around the place.

Arabs and muslims read Quran daily in their 5 times prayer and lot of them have Memorized the whole quran in there minds and hearts what about OP and others ?

i've learned from one of my online courses that children who grew up in a literature rich environment or seeing their parents / elders read constantly are good readers... hence, if parents want their children to become good readers, they should set good examples... :)

All the required information available on internet , News paper are sold majority in democratic country & they know well what is truth behind controlled head lines

FYI, Arabic language does not have the letter P... the same way that our Pilipino language DID NOT have the letters F, X, Z... which are now adopted to our Filipino language...

I wonder how many questionnaires did Arab-News researchers read properly to create report on Arab readers.

I second marconandoz, demeter dont turn the thread into fight. however, replacing B instead of p has nothing to do with the topic which been asked by the op nor the reading concept but replacing b with p its about pronouncing and the accent, like yours replace the miss with Mish, yous never could say I miss you but I mish you and many other words. please try to pronounce " (H)abibi " ? in arabic

ooppsss. Sorry! :-P .. Lol!

Reading is not in their culture and they got more exciting things to do than people in 30's and 40's

A well read Arab can be indentified in a 2 minutes conversation..

let's not turn this into us vs them bashing