Arab American Heritage Month 2024
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Arab American Heritage Month 2024 by honoring and highlighting the diverse culture, heritage, and contributions of Arab Americans throughout history. We encourage our community to study, observe, and celebrate this community and its rich heritage. This nationally recognized month pays homage to the traditions, cuisine, artistic expressions, languages, people, culture, and stories of Arab American communities.
Origin of Arab American Heritage Month
Arab American Heritage Month was initiated by the nonprofit media and education organization, the Arab America Foundation, and its sister organization, Arab American, in 2017. Initially, support was provided by only a few states, however, more states began to embrace the celebratory month over time. Then in 2019, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. Rashida Tlaib proposed a resolution to Congress, proclaiming that April shall become National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM).
“It is my hope as a strong and proud Arab American in Congress that our nation can uplift our contributions in the United States by supporting Arab American Heritage Month,” – Rep. Rashida Tlaib
Then in April 2021, President Joe Biden recognized NAAHP along with the U.S. Department of State, congress members, and 37 governors who issued proclamations supporting the month. Permanent legislation was passed in Illinois, Oregon, and Virginia designating April as National Arab American History Month by 2022. At the same time, similar legislation was pending in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, and Rhode Island.
STEM Scholar Highlights:
- Dr, Joanne Chory (Biologist)
- Dr. Omar M. Yaghi (Chemist)
- Dr. Shadia Habbal (Astronomer and Physicist)
Read, Watch, Listen and Learn
- Explore Gordon Library's Arab American Heritage Month LibGuide
- Explore the Arab American National Museum
- Explore the Center for Arabic Culture (Somerville, MA)
- Explore the 2023 Arab American Heritage Month Educators Tool Kit
- Explore TeachMideast’s Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide
- Read A Proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month, 2023 online
- Read Arab Music: A Survey of Its History and Its Modern Practice
- Read more about How Arab Women Are Making Waves In Tech
- Read Arab American Faces and Voices: The Origins of an Immigrant Identity
- Learn about the ethnic and religious diversity of Arab Americans.
- Watch On Her Shoulders online via Gordon Library
- Watch The Fight online via Gordon Library
- Listen to the Arab American Café podcast
- Listen to the Arab Talk podcast
- Listen to the Queer Arabs podcast.
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Read How to Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month | POPSUGAR News
Take Action
- Share your story: "National Arab American Demographics," Arab American Institute
- Support the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee
- Support the Arab America Foundation
- Support the Arab American Institute
- Prioritize and Practice Self-Care
- Support AmidEast—a nonprofit engaged in promoting understanding between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Register to Vote -OR- Check Your Voter Registration
- Everything you need to vote. Vote.org
- Become a Poll Worker
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.