Culture Shock in Libya

Libya is a Muslim country, and the majority of its local population are devout. That being said, Libya is more of a mild-mannered dose of Middle Eastern religious culture, that often challenges Westerners adapting to it.

As long as expats remember to remain respectful of the tenets of Islam during their time in Libya, they should find friction rare and easily reconciled. 

In fact, the root of the largest source of anxiety and nervousness in expats moving to Libya is the lack of information available to prepare you for your move.  People are more often than not taken aback upon their airport descent, to be in the company of shop fronts boasting Western-style clothing and supermarkets coloured with the ripe, fresh produce. Though the nation has one of the strictest bans on alcohol and drugs in the world, its attachment to other areas of conservative extremes has waned over the past decade.

Women are now able to drive, though society still remains gender segregated – necessitating that expat women have male companions for many daily activities that would normally be carried out independently, in a Western setting. 
 

Dress code is largely dependent on the area of the country in which you reside – the larger cities of Tripoli and Benghazi nurturing more freedom, the smaller desert towns adhering to a more conservative nature. 

In the cities, men can feel free to wear t-shirts and shorts below the knees.  Women are accepted in ¾ length pants and skirts, t-shirts and long sleeves, with no need for head scarves. There are even a number of designated expat beaches where Western-style bathing suits are accepted. 

Once journeying a fair distance outside city limits, however, expat numbers decrease and the dress code becomes understandably more modest. Long sleeves and full-length skirts or trousers are recommended for women. 

Women may also want to carry a light shawl in anticipation of unexpected situations begging further modesty. 
 

The language barrier (Arabic is the official language) can be the cause of a good deal of consternation and confusion. However, expats will find that people do speak some English and are eager to practice their skills. 

The majority of all signs and postings are also written in Arabic: thus, at the very least, learning to read the language is beneficial.

Do remember that there are many dialects of Arabic, depending on the region you may be based in; thus, if preparing to do some light learning in advance, focussing on Egyptian Arabic will be your best bet.
 
In Tripoli, Dawa Islamia centre in Maidan Jazeera holds free language classes and IH-Elite School in Hai-alandulus or ALTEC in Benashur have classes as well.

Lastly, fifty percent of expats living in Libya speak French as a first language, so if you have this in your repertoire, you will find adaptation into social circles much easier. 
 

Ramadan, the month in which Muslims believe the Quran was revealed, starts on 1st August 2011, and is a time period where followers of the Islamic religion abstain from all food, drink and all other sensual pleasure between sun-up and sunset. The fast looks to instill discipline and self-restraint in believers. 

As a Muslim country, Libya is accordingly affected. Working hours are adjusted to allow employees to return home and make the necessary arrangements for their daily fast-breaking meal. Businesses and shops remain open for most of the day, close shortly before sunset, and then reopen after evening prayers. 

Most importantly, expats living in Libya should take note that restaurants close during the day and eating in public is largely taboo – even for non-Muslims.