National Arab American Heritage Month

National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) is an annual observance in April that celebrates Arab American heritage and culture, honoring the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans to the wider American community. It serves as a time to recognize the achievements of Arab Americans while also combating anti-Arab bigotry and challenging stereotypes.

Quick Facts

When is it?: April
Tagged as: NAAHM
What’s the hashtag?: #NAAHM
When was it founded?: 2017 (as a national initiative)
Who founded it?: Arab America and the Arab America Foundation

History of National Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American heritage celebrations began sporadically in the 1990s, primarily in school districts at different times of the year. It wasn’t until 2017 when Arab America began a national initiative to coordinate all states under National Arab American Heritage Month. In 2019, Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib issued a congressional resolution for NAAHM to be recognized nationally.

A significant milestone occurred in April 2021 when the U.S. Department of State recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month. In 2022, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to declare April as National Arab American Heritage Month, and in 2023, he issued a formal proclamation designating April as Arab American Heritage Month.

Timeline

1990s: Arab American heritage celebrated sporadically in various states
2017: Arab America launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative
2019: Congressional resolution introduced by Reps. Dingell and Tlaib
2021: First federal recognition by the U.S. Department of State
2022: President Biden becomes first president to recognize NAAHM
2023: President Biden issues formal proclamation designating April as NAAHM

Dates by Next Year (2025-2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	April 1-30	All Month
2026	April 1-30	All Month
2027	April 1-30	All Month
2028	April 1-30	All Month
2029	April 1-30	All Month
2030	April 1-30	All Month

Observed

National Arab American Heritage Month is observed across the United States through various events and activities. Cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events celebrating Arab American heritage. As of 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. Several states, including Illinois, Oregon, Virginia, Indiana (Senate), and California, have passed permanent legislation designating April as NAAHM.

Fun Facts About National Arab American Heritage Month

Mustafa Azemmouri, a Moroccan man, landed in the U.S. in 1527 as a slave and may have been the first Arab individual to move to America.
Antonio Bishallany immigrated from Lebanon in 1854 and became the first official Arab American.
The Arab American population is estimated to be over 3.7 million people today.
Arab Americans trace their ancestry to 22 different countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History houses a collection of oral histories, archival materials, and artifacts related to Arab American history donated by Dr. Alixa Naff in 1984.

Quiz

In what month is National Arab American Heritage Month celebrated?
Who was the first U.S. president to officially recognize NAAHM?
In what year did Arab America begin the national initiative for NAAHM?
How many states have passed permanent legislation designating April as NAAHM?

(Answers: 1. April, 2. Joe Biden, 3. 2017, 4. Five – Illinois, Oregon, Virginia, Indiana (Senate), and California)

FAQs

What countries are considered part of the Arab world?
The Arab world includes 22 countries: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

How can I celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month?
You can celebrate by learning about Arab American history and culture, attending cultural events, supporting Arab American businesses, reading books by Arab American authors, and engaging with Arab American organizations in your community.

Is National Arab American Heritage Month federally recognized?
Yes, since 2021, when the U.S. Department of State first recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month. In 2022, President Biden became the first president to officially recognize it.

Importance of National Arab American Heritage Month

National Arab American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions Arab Americans have made to American society in various fields including diplomacy, science, technology, art, and culture. It also serves as a platform to combat post-9/11 anti-Arab sentiments and recognize the social difficulties that Arab Americans face in their communities. The month-long celebration helps promote cultural understanding, diversity, and inclusion while highlighting the rich heritage of Arab Americans as an integral part of the American fabric.