U.S. Congressional Representatives Expected to Attend National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration in DC
On Tuesday, April 30th, Arab America will present the National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) Commemoration with a special celebration just steps from the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, from 6:00-8:30 pm.
The event promises to be an exposé of Arab cultural stations, authentic Arab cuisine (including, kibbe, grape leaves, tabouleh and hummus) a Falafel bar, Arab Qahwa coffee fortune booth, a Henna station, live Arab music band, authentic Dabke dance troupe performance, visual arts, traditional fashions, and a beer and wine station with beverages from Bethlehem and Birzeit, Palestine.
For more information about the event please Click Here.
At the celebratory event on Tuesday, April 30, several congressional representatives have confirmed to date including:
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA)
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM)
Congressman André Carson (D-IN)
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
During a time of heightened hate crimes, bigotry, and misunderstanding towards the Arab American community, it is more imperative than ever to use education and information sharing to embrace our culture, dispel stereotypes, and empower the next generation of Arab American trailblazers.
As part of our month-long celebration, Arab America has been asking legislators, city councils, and school board members to issue proclamations and adopt our NAAHM curriculum kit.
We recently formed the National Arab American Heritage Month National Committee comprised of over sixty Arab Americans (engineers, lawyers, educators, and business people). Through their efforts, school districts, public servants, municipalities, and state legislatures are issuing proclamations/resolutions, recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Additionally, special events celebrating our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions will take place across the nation during the month of April.
Click here to see Proclamations issued to date.
The curriculum kit highlights the history of Arab migration to America, geographic understanding of the Arab world, Arab American diversity in faith and language, interesting customs and traditions, issues affecting our community, and our many achievements in business, politics, education, and more. To have a copy of the NAAHM Curriculum Kit sent to your school or school district, contact Dr. Amal David.
Additionally, Arab America has compiled a special guide which lists resources and content regarding the Arab and Arab American identity and culture.
To view the NAAHM Resource Guide, please Click Here.
Arab America is a digital platform founded with the purpose of reinforcing an accurate image of the Arab American community and the Arab World. Arab America’s mission is achieved by disseminating the latest news, up-to-date events, and cultural and educational resources. With close to four million Arab Americans in the US, Arab America serves as a “bridge” bringing together the diverse communities of Arab Americans.
Can you Volunteer?
This year, we appeal to you, personally, to take an active role in contacting one or all the following entities: school districts, mayors, public servants, legislators, city councils, and school board members to issue a NAAHM Proclamation and/or adapt our NAAHM Educator’s Curriculum Kit (see above)
Also, we encourage volunteers to take the lead in organizing events in classrooms, schools, churches, mosques, and other organizations.
Each week in April, Arab America will feature cultural events taking place throughout the US on our events page, and share compelling success stories of Arab Americans on our blog page.
Sponsor a School:
If for any reason you are not able to volunteer, you can instead sponsor a school or District to receive our Educational Curriculum Kit. With close to 14,000 school districts and over 100,000 schools, we need the resources to get to as many schools as possible. Sponsor your school of choice and we’ll send a kit on your behalf. Help us reach as many students as possible. You can sponsor a school here.
Sponsor the DC Event
If you are interested to be a corporate or individual sponsor of the national campaign and the DC event, please contact Dr. Amal David.
To view, last year’s National Arab American Heritage Month celebration Click Here.
Compiled by Arab America