This year's National Arab American Heritage Month , in April, comes at a time when many people are witnessing war and uncertainty in their homelands.
As Lebanon, Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Gulf countries face ongoing attacks, many Arab Americans are finding ways to honour their heritage on the other side of the world through public displays of art, literature and cuisine.
"There's a lot of adversity out there. Many Arab Americans are depressed because of what's happening in the Arab world, in Gaza and even pre-Gaza. Their hearts are with their homelands," Warren David, President of Arab America and co-founder of National Arab American Heritage Month, told The New Arab . He is a third-generation Arab American with Lebanese and Syrian background.
"Something like this really lifts their spirits," he added. "With all the negative headlines and all the adversity, it's a relief that people are saying nice things—libraries, the History Channel. I’ve been an activist for over 40 years, and this is probably the best public relations campaign for Arab Americans," said David. "It warms my heart that we're touching so many people."
The annual celebration of Arab heritage, which began in 2017, is similar to Black History Month in February or Native American Heritage Month in November. It is an opportunity for Arab Americans to celebrate and share their culture—and make it official in government and school calendars across the country.
Dina Chehata, a civil rights attorney in southern California, is one of many Arab Americans who speak at local events and engage schools and libraries during April.
"We're seeing a surge in anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim sentiment," she told TNA . "It's really important that our government leaders recognise these events. It will make people feel safer." Over the past nine years of the heritage month, they have gotten more than 100 proclamations from cities and states across the US, as well as a letter of recognition in 2021 by then-US President Joe Biden. There was one year when they got proclamations from 47 states (the only state that has consistently refused to recognise the month is Florida). During US President Donald Trump 's first term, 'Heritage Month' was still in its infancy. However, with Trump's second term, "people have kind of retreated," said David.
Despite challenges in the current political environment, Arab Americans across the US continue to bring their heritage month to schools, libraries, and other educational and public spaces. On 16 April, Arab America will host a black-tie event with Arab food, music, fashion and comedy performances.
"The most fantastic thing about it is it reminds us of home," Amal David, wife of David Amal and co-founder of the National Arab American Heritage Month, told TNA . As someone who grew up in Palestine, having a designated month is a way to share her culture in a time and place that is not always welcoming to those of her background.
"Our heritage is a gift that unites us and gives us dignity," she said. "We're good people. We've contributed. We're part of society. We're here. We count."
The heritage month, she says, is a way to connect with people through culture.
"Many times, people don't understand us. This is an excuse for us to get in touch with libraries and universities," she said. "We feel like people are more receptive to us around heritage."