Muslim Business Etiquette
Islam is practiced all over the world by billions of people and is considered the fastest growing religion. Doing business in the Muslim world is heavily affected by religion and related cultural customs. As a consequence, understanding the cultural expectations of the religion is crucial for successful business relationships and partnerships, because Islam permeates almost every aspect of life for Muslims.
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Meeting
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Be prepared for the meeting to be long and for the conversation to be circuitous. Your Muslim counterpart will want to get to know you better, and the key is to build trust. The person you are meeting with may answer a phone call during the conversation, and people may walk into the meeting room; simply be patient. If you are invited to move from an office to a more informal setting such as a coffee shop, accept the offer graciously. Many contracts have been finalized in such settings.
Attire for Men
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Formal dress for meetings For business meetings, dress formally, as business casual attire is unacceptable. The appropriate attire for men is a suit and tie. If conducting a meeting in the Middle East, where the climate is hot, opt for a lightweight suit and pants and manage the heat, as dressing otherwise will prove a liability. Once you get indoors, there will most likely be air conditioning. For men, jewelry, and in particular necklaces, should be avoided.
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Attire and Cultural Expectations for Women
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Muslim women In Muslim culture, and particularly in the Middle East, women are typically seen but not heard and, in some parts of the Muslim world, do not hold significant business positions. Women are expected to dress conservatively. Therefore, high necklines and skirts that fall below the knee are the norm. In fact, ankle-length skirts are preferable, and clothing should not be form fitting. Women should also carry a scarf that can be used to cover the head if meeting with a very conservative Muslim or going to a mosque.
Greetings
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Handshakes are fine when doing business in the Muslim world. In general, a handshake is an appropriate way of saying hello. However, keep in mind that you must not use your left hand, as the left hand is considered unclean. Also, be aware that a handshake can take a long time during which you engage the other person in pleasantries. When meeting with a Muslim woman, it is best for a man to wait and see if she offers her hand. Women meeting with men must also wait to see if he extends his hand in greeting. If a male counterpart fails to do so, a woman must not try to shake hands. In many Muslim countries, it is common for people to greet each other with the saying "Assalam Alaikum" which means "Peace be unto you." For non-Muslims, it is acceptable to simply say "Hello." If in the Middle East, keep in mind that during meetings it is normal for first names to be used, so Mr. John Smith will be called Mr. John.
Work Days
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Friday is considered the holy day of the week in Islam and is also considered a day of rest. On that day, many go to the mosque for prayer. As a result, all business typically stops on Friday. Work weeks in many Muslim countries run from Mondays to Thursdays. In addition, remember that most Muslims, and especially those in predominantly Muslim countries, will pray five times a day, so be patient if the person you are meeting with needs to pray.
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References
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