Arab American Heritage Month is an annual observance in April that celebrates the history, cultures, and contributions of Arab Americans in the United States. It also serves as a time to challenge anti-Arab racism and stereotypes and to recognize the diversity of Arab American communities, whose roots span 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Schools, libraries, community organizations, and government offices often mark the month with educational programs, cultural events, and public statements of recognition.​
The idea of a dedicated heritage observance for Arab Americans emerged in local communities and school districts in the 1980s and 1990s, when various cities and states began issuing short-term proclamations or hosting “Arab American Days” or local heritage celebrations. Community advocacy expanded over time, including congressional efforts such as a 1989 joint resolution that proclaimed a single National Arab-American Day and later resolutions supporting an Arab American Heritage Month. These early actions did not yet create a consistent nationwide month, but they laid the groundwork for broader recognition.​
A coordinated national push began in 2017, when the organization Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched an initiative to establish April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) and began collecting proclamations from governors, mayors, school districts, and other public bodies. Within a few years, dozens of states and local governments issued such proclamations, and by 2023–2024, the initiative reported proclamations, resolutions, or statements from nearly all U.S. states. This grassroots recognition helped frame April as the de facto month for honoring Arab American heritage across much of the country.​
Federal acknowledgment followed these community efforts. In April 2021, the U.S. Department of State publicly recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month and highlighted Arab Americans’ role in the “fabric” of the nation. That same month, President Joe Biden sent a letter congratulating community organizations on the celebration, marking the first recognition from a sitting president. In 2022 and 2023, President Biden issued formal presidential statements and a proclamation naming April as Arab American Heritage Month, and subsequent proclamations have continued to affirm the observance at the federal level.​
Today, Arab American Heritage Month both honors Arab Americans’ “hard work, resilience, compassion, and generosity” and highlights ongoing issues such as discrimination, misrepresentation, and the need for more inclusive curricula and public policy. Educational guides and institutional statements emphasize learning about Arab American histories, highlighting contributions in areas such as literature, science, public service, and civil rights, and amplifying Arab American voices and stories.​
Sources:
Arab American Institute. (2025). Arab American Heritage Month. Arab American Institute. https://www.aaiusa.org/arab-american-heritage-month
EBSCO. (2024). Arab American Heritage Month (Research Starter). EBSCO Information Services. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/ethnic-and-cultural-studies/arab-american-heritage-month
Notre Dame. (2023). Learn more about the history and relevance of Arab American Heritage Month. University of Notre Dame. https://weareall.nd.edu/our-stories/news/learn-more-about-the-history-and-relevance-of-arab-american-heritage-month/