What does Santiago learn about the local people of Morocco, their customs and their faith? How is this important to the story?

Santiago's first impressions of Tangier are overwhelming. Santiago has some understanding of culture but has not seen smoking hookah, Islamic daily prayer,and men holding hands. He finds some of these actions offensive. Santiago feels far from home: far from the gentle pastures of Spain, "The boy felt ill and terribly alone. The infidels had an evil look about them."