April is Arab American Heritage Month
It’s here - our favorite month of the year!
We have come a long way from the first time Arab American heritage was recognized on the national level with a “National Arab-American Day” in 1992. Now, in 2022, President Biden issued a statement in recognition of Arab American Heritage Month, as did countless other government officials and organizational partners. We are so proud of the work our community has done for decades to get us here, particularly on the local level.
Join us as we celebrate our culture, history, cuisine, art, and people for Arab American Heritage Month. We will be highlighting stories weekly about inspiring Arab Americans who have shared their talents, passion, and work with all of us.
Be on the look out for featured posts on Arab American literature, art, poetry, music, and food.
And there is no better way to start the celebration than a statement from President Biden celebrating Arab American Heritage Month with us.
Last year, AAI President James Zogby gave an award-nominated interview on the Arab American experience. Watch the interview below.
Here are some amazing Arab Americans who inspire us with their contributions. Below are their stories!
AFSC and their local staff in Gaza have provided emergency humanitarian aid to more than 400,000 people in Gaza, including providing thousands of families safe drinking water and food. They plan to expand their aid to tens of thousands more in the coming months. Today, as our community faces attacks both at home and abroad, we are inspired by the important work being done by Arab Americans like Joyce.
Arabic music is on the verge of a worldwide takeover. Or, if you ask Danny Hajjar, it already has. And if you ask us, proud Arab Americans like Danny are part of the reason why.
On March 31st, President Joseph Biden issued a formal proclamation designating April as Arab American Heritage Month. That Mr. Biden took this step is significant, marking a turning point in our decades-long effort to secure recognition and respect for our community.
In 2019, a headshot of a NASA employee wearing a Palestinian tatreez-inspired blazer garnered international attention. That employee, Nujoud Merancy, who was then Chief of the Exploration Mission Planning Office at NASA, quickly became known not just for her exemplory career in aerospace engineering but also her Palestinian roots.
Arab American History Month is official!
"Please, make this a product and put it here." That is what innovator Fadel Adib was told by his grandmother in Lebanon when he described creating a device that could use Wi-Fi signals to track people's movement and she saw an important application for herself: if she fell in a room, it would detect her fall and send a message to one of her children.
A lifetime of public service led to Reema Dodin’s selection by President Biden to serve as the White House Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs.
Bella Hadid is an American supermodel and former equestrian who boldly speaks out about mental health, her experience with lyme disease, and human rights violations committed against Palestinians.
Gigi Hadid is one of the most recognizable and admired names in fashion and beauty. As a supermodel, she has risen to the top of her field, doing it all while establishing a reputation for her incredible work ethic and compassion.
April is Arab American Heritage Month. It may not be a big deal to some, but for those of my generation this recognition represents a half century of struggle to overcome outright bigotry, political exclusion, and ignorance about who we are, our history, and our contributions to American life.