From the White House, President Joe Biden issued the proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month noting in part:

"The Arab American story is the American story — one of diverse backgrounds and faiths, vibrant tradition, bold innovation, hard work, commitment to community, and stalwart patriotism, all coming together to accomplish something greater than any one of us. This month, we join together to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Arab Americans to our Nation and recommit ourselves to the timeless work of making sure that all people have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

Ours is a Nation shaped by the immigrant’s heart, and generations of brave and hopeful people from across all countries, including from the Arab world, have woven their unique heritages, customs, and talents into the tapestry of America. Today, the achievements of Arab Americans are reflected in the arts and sciences; in businesses and faith communities; in classrooms and hospitals; and in police stations, firehouses, and every branch of the military. Arab Americans are also proudly serving throughout my Administration, bringing a diversity of expertise that helps make this country stronger, more prosperous, and more just.

Sadly, we also recognize that, even as Arab Americans enrich our Nation, many continue to face prejudice, bigotry, and violence — a stain on our collective conscience. Hate must have no safe harbor in this country. We must affirm that sentiment again and again."

April is Arab American Heritage Month! Officially recognized by President Biden in April 2021, Arab Heritage Month is an annual, month-long celebration of the diversity and richness of Arab American identity, culture, and experience. Regardless of the relatively recent recognition, Arab Americans have contributed to, shaped (and reshaped) American society across literature, food, music, and culture. Critically, Arab Americans have transformed America by continuously exploring (and creating space for) the complexity of their multiple identities.

There is no singular Arab American experience or story. Rather, it’s made up of an intertwining, continuously evolving set of lived experiences that come together under a shared love for home — and all that it represents.

According to the Arab America Foundation, “In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative.” Illinois, Oregon, and Virginia have all passed permanent legislation around Arab American Heritage Month.

According to the Arab American Institute, “Arab Americans are a diverse community of immigrants and the descendants of immigrants… who have come from throughout the Arab world. [They] are Syrians, Lebanese, Egyptians, Palestinians, Iraqis, Jordanians, and Yemenis — from North Africa to Southwest Asia.”

Choose a country from the list of 22 Arab countries below. Research the country of your choice. Using LimitlessLibraries.org research tools like the World Book Encyclopedia, you can begin with a credible source and extend your research. Write an informational essay on it or share what you’ve learned in a short presentation. For extra fun, create posters or drawings with your chosen country's flag and decorate the classroom.

• Algeria,
• Bahrain,
• the Comoros Islands,
• Djibouti,
• Egypt,
• Iraq,
• Jordan,
• Kuwait,
• Lebanon,
• Libya,
• Morocco,
• Mauritania,
• Oman,
• Palestine,
• Qatar,
• Saudi Arabia,
• Somalia,
• Sudan,
• Syria,
• Tunisia,
• the United Arab Emirates,
• Yemen

Learn about the history of Arab Americans by exploring the galleries of the Arab American National Museum, and browsing the catalog of the Barjeel Art Foundation.

Explore the work of Arab American artists:

• Etel Adnan
• Khalil Gibran
• Jason Seife
• Michael Rakowitz
• Sherin Guirguis

The 3.7 million Arab Americans are still federally classified as “white” by the U.S. Census. This contributes to the undercounting and underrepresentation of Arab Americans and leads to a disproportionate allocation of resources across communities. This can change if the category of MENA is added to the U.S. Census.

Arab American musicians have a long history of revolutionizing genres across hip-hop, R&B, rock, and much more. These artists honor their heritage and their intersecting identities by creating powerful work, on their own terms. Add some of these artists to your next playlist:

• Omar Offendum
• Felukah
• Anees
• Thanks Joey
• Paul Anka
• Faraj Abyad
• French Montana

From classics like Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet to contemporary works like Naomi Shihab Nye’s Sitti’s Secrets, Arab American poets have continuously built a rich poetic tradition.

• “from ‘Surge’” by Etel Adnan
• “On Friendship” by Kahlil Gibran
• “how to say” by Safia Elhillo
• “I Belong There” by Mahmoud Darwish
• “Sitti’s Secrets” & “Everything Comes Next” by Naomi Shihab Nye

Here are a few Arab American leaders students can learn about:

• Khalil Gibran
• Candy Lightner
• Linda Sarsour
• Farouk el-Baz
• Rashida Tlaib
• Ameen Rihani
• Steve Jobs

On Social Media Follow and amplify the voices of Arab-American media creators.

Arab American comedians, journalists, storytellers, and scholars regularly produce humorous, thoughtful, and informative content across all social media platforms. Their voices and stories are important to keep up with and amplify. Here are a few recommendations on new people to follow during Arab American Heritage Month:

• Ayman Mohyeldin
• Mai (@maisvault)
• Ahmed Shihab-Eldin
• Dena Takruri
• Maytha Alhassen
• Alex Tarzikhan (@meetarefugee)

• The Arab American community is religiously diverse.
• Almost every major religion is represented in the Arab American community.
• Christians: Maronite Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Syrian Catholic, Chaldean Catholic, Roman Catholic, Antiochian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Protestant
• Muslims: Sunni, Shia and Druze

Title Author Call Number

No god but God: the origins and evolution of Islam Aslan, Reza 297 ASL

The Islam book 297 Isl

Muslims Sanna, Ellyn 305.6 SAN

I was told to come alone: my journey behind the lines of jihad Mekhennet, Souad 363.32 Mek

Muslim holidays Winchester, Faith 394.2691 WIN

Huda F are you Fahmy, Huda 741.5 Fah

Ms. Marvel: Stretched thin Shammas, Nadia 741.5 SHA

Kampung boy Lat 741.59 LAT

Ms. Marvel: Vol. 1,No normal Wilson, G. Willow 741.59 WIL

Salam alaikum Harris J 782.42 Har

They can't kill us until they kill us: essays Abdurraqib, Hanif 814.6 Abd

Genocide and the Bosnian war Ching, Jacqueline 949.7 CHI

Sisters of the war: two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria Abouzeid, Rania 956.91 Abo

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli pirates: the war that changed American history Kilmeade, Brian 973.46 KIL

The Boston Marathon bombing Bodden, Valerie 974.4 BOD

Accused: my story of injustice Bah, Adama B Bah Bah

Al-Biruni: greatest polymath of the Islamic golden age Lim, Bridget B BIR LIM

Proud: living my American dream Muhammad, Ibtihaj B MUH MUH

The cat I never named: a true story of love, war, and survival Sabic-El-Rayess, Amra B Sab Sab

Mike's place: a true story of love, blues, and terror in Tel Aviv Baxter, Jack B Sal Bax

Rad girls can: stories of bold, brave, and brilliant young women Schatz, Kate B SCH SCH

Yo soy Muslim Gonzales, Mark E Gon

Does my head look big in this? Abdel-Fattah, Randa F ABD

The lines we cross Abdel-Fattah,Randa F Abd

Perfectly Parvin Abtahi, Olivia F ABT

The blue wings Aerts, Jef F AER

Love, hate & other filters Ahmed, Samira F Ahm

Amira & Hamza: the war to save the worlds Ahmed, Samira F AHM

Amira & Hamza: the quest for the ring of power Ahmed, Samira F Ahm

Mad, bad & dangerous to know Ahmed, Samira F AHM

Hollow fires Ahmed, Samira F AHM

Yes no maybe so Albertalli, Becky F ALB

Saints and misfits Ali, S. K F Ali

Love from A to Z Ali, S. K F ALI

Love from Mecca to Medina Ali, S. K F ALI

Misfit in love Ali, S. K F ALI

Black girl unlimited: the remarkable story of a teenage wizard Brown, Echo F BRO

Home is not a country Elhillo, Safia F ELH

Golden girl Faruqi, Reem F FAR

Unsettled Faruqi, Reem F FAR

A place at the table Faruqi, Saadia F FAR

Yusuf Azeem is not a hero Faruqi, Saadia F Far,

Queen of the tiles Hanna Alkaf F HAN

The night diary Hiranandani, Veera F Hir

Flying over water Senzai, N. H F HIT

Amina's voice Khan, Hena F Kha

More to the story Khan, Hena F KHA

Amina's song Khan, Hena F KHA

Nura and the immortal palace Khan, M. T F KHA

Zara Hossain is here Khan, Sabina F KHA

The loophole Kutub, Naz F KUT

The thing I'm most afraid of Levine, Kristin F LEV

A very large expanse of sea Mafi, Tahereh F MAF

An emotion of great delight Mafi, Tahereh F MAF

More than just a pretty face Masood, Syed F MAS

All we have left Mills, Wendy F MIL

Once upon an Eid: stories of hope and joy by 15 Muslim voices F ONC

I was born for this Oseman, Alice F OSE

A bit of Earth Riazi, Karuna F RIA

It all comes back to you Rishi, Farah Naz F RIS

Lost boys Rosenblatt, Darcey F Ros

You truly assumed Sabreen, Laila F SAB

Not the girls you're looking for Safi, Aminah Mae F Saf

The next new Syrian girl Shukairy, Ream F SHU

Bhai for now Siddiqui, Maleeha F SID

Barakah Beats Siddiqui, Maleeha F SID

Food can be a great way to bring different cultures together. Students may be familiar with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “My Plate” program. Share the image below that includes foods traditional to the Arab community. Talk through each item:

• Labneh - A middle-eastern dish made from strained yogurt that has a taste similar to cream cheese. It is often served as a mezze dip, like hummus.
• Fig - A plant of the mulberry family and its sweet, edible fruit. Examples of fig dishes include Labneh stuffed figs and couscous with figs.
• Falafel and Pita - Fried spiced balls or patties of ground chickpeas or fava beans stuffed into a pita.
• Kebabs - A popular street food; skewers with chunks of chicken or beef and vegetables, marinated and grilled on coals or gas.
• Leeks - A vegetable used in many dishes, such as mujadara. Leeks are part of the Allium family that includes, garlic, shallots, and onions.

What are students familiar with or have tasted before? What would they like to try in the future? If possible, bring in an example of one of the foods to share with the class.

To take the activity further, have students design their own food plate with foods from their own cultures. If needed, carve out some time to do research on what to include. Then have students work in small groups to share their food plates and discuss their choices with their classmates.

Nashville is home to thousands of Copts (Egyptian Christians), Iraqi Kurds, Syrian Kurds, Iraqi Arabs (Muslim and Christian), Yemeni Arabs, and now Syrian Arabs (Muslim and Christian). Despite those differences, Arabic gathers and creates intersects.

Elmahaba Center's vision is to be a resource and a safe, cultural community center in Nashville celebrating Arabic-speaking heritages across religious, dialectic, regional, class, gender, and age identities.

Elmahaba means “unconditional love” in Arabic.

Arab America

NAAHM 2023 Educator's Curriculum Kit

9 Facts About Arab American Heritage Month from Mental Floss

White House Procolamation for 2023

13 Ways to Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month

National Arab American Heritage Month Classroom Activities

PBS Inside 13 Arab American Heritage Month

A Reading List for Adults for Arab American Heritage Month