Arab American Heritage Month 2027

About Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month recognizes Americans whose families trace their roots to the countries of the Arab world, a community made up of many national origins and faiths. Schools, libraries, museums, city halls and community groups use April for talks, food and music events, film screenings and exhibits about Arab American history and present-day life.

The national campaign was started in 2017 by Warren David and Dr. Amal David, the co-founders of Arab America and the Arab America Foundation. According to the foundation, Dr. Amal David, a longtime supervisor in the Detroit public schools, had noticed that cities marked Arab American heritage at different times of year, and the couple set out to unite those efforts in April. The first national celebration took place in Washington, DC, in April 2017, and the campaign's volunteers have since gathered proclamations from governors, cities, counties and school districts around the country. The foundation reports recognition from at least 45 states and permanent April designations in several, including Illinois, Oregon, Virginia and California.

Federal recognition came gradually. The foundation says President Joe Biden sent it a letter in 2021 recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month, and the State Department also marked the month. On March 31, 2023, Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of April as Arab American Heritage Month, and he issued another in 2024. No proclamation for the month appears in the Federal Register for 2025 or 2026, while members of Congress, including Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell of Michigan, have introduced resolutions to recognize it.

The month is a commemorative observance, not a public holiday. Much of the activity is local, led by community volunteers, schools, libraries and cultural institutions such as the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, which is devoted to Arab American history and culture.

Sources: American Presidency Project: Proclamation 10539, Arab American Heritage Month, 2023, Federal Register: Arab American Heritage Month, 2024, Arab America: Who Started the Movement for National Arab American Heritage Month?, Arab America: NAAHM Recognitions Continue to Inspire Arab Americans in 2026. How we check dates.

How to mark Arab American Heritage Month

• Visit the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, or explore its online exhibits and collections.
• Read work by Arab American writers, such as the poetry of Naomi Shihab Nye or Khalil Gibran's The Prophet, and discuss it with friends or a book group.
• Cook a dish from a specific country, such as Lebanese tabbouleh, Egyptian koshari or Palestinian maqluba, and learn where it comes from.
• Check whether your city, county or school district has issued an April proclamation, and attend its public events.
• Support an Arab American-owned bakery, restaurant or business in your area.

Arab American Heritage Month dates