When is it?

The Month of April 

What is it?

Arab American Heritage Month, observed in April, is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural, historical, and social contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. It provides an opportunity to highlight the diverse tapestry of Arab American communities and their significant impact on various facets of American society, including art, literature, music, cuisine, science, politics, and more.

During Arab American Heritage Month, events such as cultural festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, educational seminars, and community gatherings are organized to honor Arab American heritage and foster greater understanding and appreciation for Arab American culture and contributions. It's a time for both Arab Americans and the wider American society to reflect on the shared values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect.

This observance not only celebrates the achievements and resilience of Arab Americans but also serves as a platform for promoting dialogue, combating stereotypes, and building bridges of understanding across different communities. It's an opportunity to acknowledge the important role that Arab Americans play in shaping the multicultural tapestry of the United States.

STEM Role Models:

• Iqbal El Assaad, MD. Became a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon and devoted her life to helping people by becoming a doctor. She graduated highschool with the necessary math and chemistry knowledge in order to secure a scholarship. By 14 years old she was already in her first year of medical school at Cornell’s Medical School Qatar branch. Iqbal El Assad was able to graduate medical school at 20 years old but was unable fulfill her wish to return to Lebanon to help refugees. This was due to the Lebanese government ban on Palestinians to certain professions like healthcare. She now works at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio where she specializes in pediatric cardiology.
• Maryam Mirzakhani, Iranian-American Mathematician. First and only woman to win the Fields Medal (THE top honor in math). Specialized in moduli spaces, Teichmüller theory, hyperbolic geometry, Ergodic theory and symplectic geometry. Absolute gibberish to anyone outside of higher math. But think volumes and characteristics of curved spaces. The applied side of her work is in quantum physics. Maryam Mirzakhani got her undergrad at Sharif University in Tehran, then went to graduate school at Harvard. She went on to teach at Stanford. She sadly passed away of breast cancer at 40. 

Videos:

• The History
• Celebrating Arab American Heritage
• About Arab Americans
• "Don't Erase Me" Ted Talk

Podcasts:

• Arab American Kid Zone
• See Something Say Something – A 91 Year Old Imam Still Finds Joy in the Podcast Studio
• Arab American Café Podcast – Arab Americans: Differences and Similarities.

Books:

• Living in America 
• On friendship poem by Kahlil Gibran
• “Out of place” book by Edward W. Said
• Bellingham Public Library Recommended Books

Scholarships:

• Scholarship for Arab students in the USA
• April is Arab American Heritage Month – celebrate with scholarships.
• Arab America- College Scholarships

WWU Clubs:

• Arab Student Association  

More Resources: .

• Arab American Cultural and Community Center: Serves the community through cultural programs, outreach, and social services; promotes Arab culture and heritage and fosters a greater understanding of Arab Culture in Houston.
• Arab American National Museum: The Arab American National Museum is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture.