Exploring a Slice of Little Arabia in Anaheim, California
By Sara Tawfik/ Arab America Contributing Writer
Nestled in the heart of Orange County in Anaheim, California is a slice of Arab culture better known as the Little Arabia District. Anyone that visits Little Arabia can experience new and exciting levels of Arab culture and food through their ethnic markets, restaurants, and cafes. Anaheim is the center of Orange County’s Arab American community. It has the largest population of Arab Americans throughout both Orange County and Southern California. Currently, there is a rapid push in the Arab surrounding community to designate West Anaheim, better known as “Little Gaza”, as the Little Arabia District due to its resources and connection to the Arab culture.
A Brief History of Little Arabia
Before the arrival of many Arab families, merchants, and immigrants, the Gaza Strip was also called “Garza Island”. Post WWII, the Gaza Strip was infiltrated by small businesses and mom-and-pop shops that formed along Main Street. In the 1980s, the bustle of Main Street was replaced by a number of new startups. With the arrival of Arab families and immigrants, Little Gaza later became known as “Little Arabia”. By 2010, the Arab community in Anaheim pushed and encouraged the idea of establishing the West Anaheim area as the “Little Arabia District”. Little Arabia District has become a cultural and educational hub for Arab Americans, in which they provide economically and culturally for the city of Anaheim.
“Over the years, this part of Anaheim has turned into a cultural destination and a foodie heaven. In supporting the designation of Little Arabia, the Anaheim City Council would empower Arab American and immigrant-owned small businesses, hundreds of their employees and their families. Officially designating Little Arabia not only sends a message that Anaheim is a welcoming city, but that it also supports small businesses that felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Raed Al Naser, Arab American Civic Council (AACC)
A Short Interview with #DesignateLittleArabia Advocate
Arab America had the opportunity to reach out and ask a few follow up questions regarding the mission behind designating the Little Arabia District. Peter Aziz is part of the Civic Engagement and Policy team for the Arab American Civic Council and a strong advocate for the #DesignateLittleArabia campaign.
What is the mission of transforming Anaheim into Little Arabia?
Peter Aziz: The mission to transform this specific business corridor of Anaheim into a designated destination locally known as little Arabia is to get it officially recognized and designated by the city of Anaheim and gain greater visibility for the Community through signage from cal trans.
This section of Anaheim borders Little Saigon (which is officially designated) near Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland. The overall mission is to get official designated. Later, we hope to establish a Little Arabia chamber of commerce. But the main focus has always been to get official designation. It has been so incredibly difficult over the many years, and I have worked on this project on and off for 4 years now due to funding and Community support. Much of the city of Anahiem gets a lot of corporate backing from Disney and the Anahiem Angels. Unfortunately none of that ever trickles down into the little Arabia corridor.
What steps have you taken to accomplish this goal?
Peter Aziz: We’ve taken it upon ourselves to create a more robust campaign when I started working and volunteering with the Arab American Civic Council (AACC). This campaign has much of all the same components of our first but with greater asks for greater needs. Which include grants and funding for business. Something we’ve been desperately trying to get Anaheim chamber of commerce to try to support is investing in all of the business in Anaheim not just their preferred business. We’ve seen some of our most beloved restaurants in our community shut down after 15 years of being in business because of covid. And lack of funding or support. While other business in the area stayed a float. We’ve created this campaign, we’ve canvassed business owners which have always been willing to help our executive director Rashad, because they know it also means greater exposure for the businesses in the area. We’ve also written op eds in well known magazines throughout OC.
Why is having a community such as Little Arabia so important?
Peter Aziz: The importance of recognizing the diversity of Little Arabia is to also understand that even within a shared cultural heritage and identity, that the Arab identity and community is not a monolith. We are religiously diverse as we are ethnically diverse but one thing we can all agree on is our love for heritage through the display of our food. Sure, you get the occasional fight of who’s falafel is better…. personally I love Kareem’s, but I’ll go to Zait and Zatar for their baba Ganoush. And that’s what makes this area of Anahiem so great.
To be an advocate and supporter of #DesignateLittleArabia, make sure to sign the petition here.
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