THE ROLE OF ARAB CULTURE IN INFLUENCING THE COMMUNICATION PATTERNS OF UMRAH PILGRIMS

Abstract

The pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah brings together millions of Muslims from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indonesian pilgrims and Arab communities in the Holy Land. This cross-cultural interaction often generates complex communication dynamics that may lead to misunderstandings, particularly due to differences in speech styles, nonverbal expressions, and norms of politeness. This study aims to examine the influence of Arab cultural values on the communication patterns of Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in their daily socio-religious interactions. The research employs a qualitative method with a descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with pilgrims, religious guides (muthawwif), and Hajj/Umrah officers, supported by observation and literature review. The findings reveal that the direct, assertive, and expressive communication style of Arab society is frequently misinterpreted by Indonesian pilgrims, who are more accustomed to indirect and polite communication. These cultural differences affect the effectiveness of social interaction and religious service delivery. Therefore, understanding Arab cultural communication and enhancing cross-cultural communication competence are essential to fostering harmonious interactions, minimizing miscommunication, and supporting the smooth implementation of Hajj and Umrah rituals..