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Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African American Heritage Month: Home

Resources related to the contributions of Arab American, Middle Eastern American, and North African American communities

Month of Celebration

Image of a building with ornate details on façade. Text reads: Arab American, Middle Eastern American, and North African American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month

During the early '90s, Arab American heritage month was celebrated sporadically in various states, primarily in school districts. It wasn't until 2017 when Arab American communities began a national initiative to coordinate all states under National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). In 2017, those same communities petitioned for  U.S. Congresswoman, Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), to issue a congressional resolution proclaiming National Arab American Heritage Month. It was then introduced to the house on April 30th, 2019, and then referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Although Congress informally recognizes April as National Arab American Heritage Month, there is a national effort to recognize the diversity within the region and Arab communities. The DEI Team celebrates Arab American Heritage Month, which includes both Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in this observance.

 

-WPI's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Team

To learn more about the history of Arab American Heritage Month see: https://arabamericafoundation.org/national-arab-american-heritage-month/

See WPI's Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) events and information about National Arab American Heritage Month at: WPI Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month 2023 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute