Is it okay for a non-Muslim to say "assalamualaikum?"

I understand that it is Muslim rather than just an Arabic greeting. The professor says it's okay and we say it all the time in class. Specifically he said he says it to Christian and Jewish friends and they say it to him. I just want to run it by y'all here because I'm wondering if he assumes that anyone believing in the Abrahamic god can wish peace (of God) be upon you. Well, I don't believe in the Abrahamic god and I don't want to be saying one thing but believe another. Also, when I say it outside of class to Arabic speakers I know, I get blank stares.

Yes, I know about marhaban and ahlan wa sahlan. Assalamualaikum is the formal greeting and I want to know about that.

Thanks.

If you really want to be "in the moment" you have to do the "three kisses" on the cheek, as well.

It ain't all that formal, either.

You know how you say "How do you do?" when you actually don't give much of a shit how someone is doing? Same deal. It's "Howdy, Y'all" basically. Don't read too much into it.

Although we say it enough it class, I ought to have THAT down. Arab speakers understand when I say, "shukran" because I always get an "afwan" in response.

with some kind of a twist. It's like trying to understand Texas English if you're from New England.

There are even variations of the phrase in non-Arab speaking countries in the region that sound very similar.

We learn the formal spelling and pronunciation 1st, but we also learn how to say it in Egyptian and Levantine. I have two English-as-2nd-language partners from Libya and Saudi Arabia. Sometimes if I say something I get a quizzical look from the Saudi and then the Libyan says what I said but with a tiny difference in pronunciation to clarify. I guess the N. African Arabic is closer to the formal, Koranic speech.

Keep at it. It's not easy. The fact that you are sensitive to differing dialects is a good thing; it will help you as you progress.

I am a MA student in history and I need to be able to read Arabic at least for my Middle Eastern concentration. I'm going to take an intensive summer class in either Farci or probably Turkish next summer.

The alphabet is the same, but the language is indo-european.

Turkish is easy to read--Attaturk made sure of that!

I asked the guy for a pack of Salems and he nodded and said "Salaam". I said "What?", he said "Salaam!" I said "No, no, Salem Lights!" He said "ok", and got them. I paid him.and started to leave. As I walked out I realized what had just happened and looked back. We were both laughing.

religious significance to it.

Will check w better informed friend later.

You probably know this, but the Jewish and Muslim phrases are almost identical.

We're all so damned similar - why can't we all get along?

I think it's ironic when Arabs are accused of "antisemitism" because they are Semetic too. And at least on the surface, the Muslin and Jewish religions are much more similar than either of them is to Christianity.

Very sweet to hear.

on a few trips to Saudi Arabia. asalāmu-alaykum as well as the response aleikum-salam.

B-)