Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit at the University of Baghdad/College of Pharmacy, held an in-person seminar entitled “Cultural Invasion Between Fascination and Blind Imitation,” delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Zainab Thabit Saleh, a faculty member at the Pharmaceutics Department. The seminar aimed to raise awareness among individuals and society about the dangers of blind imitation of other cultures without realizing cultural and religious specificity, promoting cultural awareness, strengthening national identity, and encouraging a balance between openness to other cultures and preserving original values. The seminar included several topics, including discussion of the issue of blind imitation, in which individuals and communities adopt Western customs and values without taking into account cultural and religious specificity. It explained the causes and spread of this phenomenon in Arab societies, emphasizing the influence of media and social networks in promoting consumer culture, celebrity imitation, lack of awareness, and the absence of role models among the youth. It also examined the impact of globalization which has led to a decline in the appreciation for local values and traditions. The seminar also dealt with the effects of tradition in various aspects of life, starting from lifestyle and appearance, passing through dietary customs and social relations, and ending with the adoption of Western values and behaviors that may conflict with native culture, resulting in the erosion of cultural identity, the weakness of national belonging, and the spread of a sense of cultural alienation among young people, as well as the negative impact on religious values and the local economy due to increased reliance on Western products and brands. The seminar concluded to confront this phenomenon and enhance cultural and educational awareness through the teaching of Arab history and heritage, in addition to the role of the media in producing content that enhances pride in identity and emphasizes the essential role of the family in raising children on authentic values, with the need to support local production and encourage young people to innovate and economic independence. Finally, the emphasis was placed on achieving a balance between opening up to the world and preserving authenticity by using a conscious cultural policy that takes advantage of recent developments without neglecting basic principles and values, ensuring the preservation of identity while benefiting positively from globalization.
