April is Arab American Heritage Month which recognizes and celebrates the many contributions that those with Arab lineage have contributed to society in the US and beyond. Originally established in the 1980s as “National Arab American Heritage Week”, it was expanded to a designated month in 2017.
Among the purposes of making a full month to commemorate the importance of Arab Americans, advocates championed the need to not only expand the positive impacts on the world but also as a way to help build greater soft power between the US and Arab nations by acknowledging shared visibility and pride in their efforts.
Throughout April, various events, activities, and educational initiatives are organized by Arab American organizations, cultural institutions, schools, and communities to promote awareness, foster dialogue, and celebrate the rich heritage of Arab Americans in the United States. These may include cultural performances, film screenings, lectures, panel discussions, art exhibits, and community festivals.
For more information and programming ideas, see Arab-American Heritage Month Toolkit.
