National Arab American Heritage Month

April is the month celebrating the heritage of Arab Americans. This month has been formally dedicated to Arab American culture and speakers, since 1985, it became official on April 19th, 2021. 

 Arab immigrants began coming to the U.S. during the 1880s, Around 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, traced from twenty-two countries in the Middle East and North Africa. 

The launch of the official designation was back in 2017 and was recently passed through president Joe Biden, on April 19th, 2021.

School districts, cultural institutions, and non-profit organizations celebrate the Arab community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society. 

One can use this month to learn about the diversity aspect of Arab culture. Being Arab isn’t necessarily based on race, it is culture-based. “It’s important for people to move away from stereotypes of Arabs and Arab culture and to understand us more as a whole”, said Arab American, Woodbridge student Somya Hassan.  Arabs can be any religion or race. 

“The Arab American community is essential to the fabric of our Nation,” said president Joe Biden. Celebrating this month celebrates the history of millions of Arab Americans. 

Arab Americans immigrated the most in 1948-1966, because of the political instability, such as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act also had significant migration of MENA to the United States of America.

Celebrate NAAHM by donating to a nonprofit organization that supports the Arab American community. Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in these last few days!