Jordan Hearring, Life Editor

The diverse culture and the contributions of Arab Americans are celebrated during National Arab American Heritage Month observed annually during the month of April. This event was made official in 2017 by the Arab American Foundation, a move that took over two decades to push through. In 2019, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib introduced the resolution to Congress to make the proclamation official in the White House: a resolution that is still pending. According to the Arab American Foundation, U.S. President Joe Biden and 37 governors recognized Arab American Heritage Month in April 2021. As of the release of this column, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia passed legislation making Arab American Heritage Month a permanent designation. Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Rhode Island and New York are currently pending on similar designation. 

According to the latest data in the Office of Institutional Research, there are over 70 students from Arab countries. The Arab Student Association was founded in the fall of 2021 by Rania Wahi, a freshman psychology major from Jonesboro, and Sabrina Alqassi, a freshman psychology major from Morocco. The organization was founded to create a community for A-State’s Arab students and to provide education for Arab culture.

Monica Gerges, a senior graphic design major from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, said, “Arab culture can’t be defined into one category because it is so diverse. Every country has its own culture but they tend to relate to each other somehow. For example, a common Arab culture is that we cherish our meal times with family and the entire family has to gather together for dinner, and family is the most important aspect of Arab society. We’re taught to respect our elders and listen to them talk without interrupting to show respect to the head of the house.”

Nora Bouzihay, interim director of Multicultural Affairs and the first Arab on the Multicultural Affairs staff, said “When most people think of Arab, they associate that with the Middle East and don’t consider the countries in Northern and Eastern Africa. I have been pushing for representation of marginalized communities and this is the first year that A-State campus has recognized Arab American Heritage Month.” Her contributions to the Multicultural Center have led to the increase of representation and outreach across minority populations on campus.

To commemorate Arab American Heritage month, the Multicultural Center will be hosting an Iftar Dinner, which celebrates Ramadan. An iftar dinner in Muslim tradition ends the Ramadan fast after sunset, but this event will bring fellowship through food and serve to educate people about Ramadan and its function in Islam religion. While not all Arabs are Muslims, the majority of Muslims are Arab. The Iftar Dinner will take place April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Multicultural Center and will be open to all students. 

Categories: Life