By Caroline Averitt | Life Editor

& Laila Casiano | Social Media Editor

President Joe Biden declared April as National Arab American Heritage Month in 2021. There are nearly four million Arab Americans, people from Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and just over 6,000 live in Arkansas. 

“This month gives me great joy knowing that Arab Americans all around the United States can be celebrated for their culture and heritage,” Salma Abdel-Karim said. “It makes me happy knowing that an identity that I hold so dear to my heart can be recognized and celebrated nationally so that more people can understand the true meaning of what it means to be an Arab.” 

Salma Abdel-Karim

Abdel-Karim, a sophomore pre-professional chemistry and biology double major from Jonesboro, is A-State’s vice president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA). In this role, she leads the organization of an annual Ramadan Dinner, which she said is for anyone who wants to learn more about Ramadan and enjoy good food. 

She also plans to organize an Arabic Conversation Roundtable for students who are learning Arabic on campus. 

However, she said she would like to see more celebrations of Arab American Heritage Month on campus and has an idea of what that could look like. 

“At this event, we could have a speaker who talks about typical Arab customs and traditions. I think an event like this would allow for more people at A-State to learn and understand Arab culture,” Abdel-Karim said. “In addition, we could have several traditional Middle Eastern dishes and desserts for people to try. The food aspect is important because anytime there’s food at an event, more people tend to come.”

She said she loves to talk about her culture and religion and wishes more people would ask her about it. Having more events like this on campus would give her that opportunity, she said. 

“Being a Palestinian and Jordanian Arab Muslim woman is one of the things I cherish the most,” Abdel-Karim said. “I encountered a few instances of discrimination but became more resilient as a result of those. This identity has empowered me, and it is something that I will forever be grateful for.”

Ibrahim Al Elamat

Ibrahim Al Elamat, a doctoral student studying heritage studies from Jordan, said his experience as an Arab student at A-State significantly shaped his understanding of cultural identity and belonging. 

“Interacting with a diverse student body has exposed me to various perspectives, traditions, and values, enriching my appreciation for cultural diversity,” Al Elamat said. “Through these interactions, I’ve developed a sense of belonging in a multicultural setting by learning how to negotiate cultural differences and discover common ground.” 

Al Elamat, who serves as president of the MSA, said he experienced a profound sense of solidarity and belonging among the Arab community at A-State. He said celebrating history and significant contributions made by Arab Americans created an exchange of cultural ideas, personal stories and built relationships. 

“The existence of cultural groups and Arab student organizations created a supportive atmosphere that strengthened the bonds of friendship and support within our community,” Al Elamat said. 

An obstacle Al Elamat faced was addressing stereotypes and adjusting to a new language and cultural setting. This presented difficulties regarding communication and academic achievement, but with time, he overcame those obstacles and found a sense of belonging within the campus community. 

“It’s important to address these by organizing cultural events, open discussions, and sharing personal stories to dispel myths and foster understanding. Stereotypes are effectively countered by highlighting the diversity of Arab culture and highlighting its rich history, art, and contributions to humanity,” Al Elamat said. 

Mona Alqadhi

Mona Alqadhi, a graduate assistant teaching the Arabic language from Bahrain, said during April, Arab people have the opportunity to share their culture, history, food, clothes, dances, music and more. 

“These celebrations promote respect, understanding, acceptance and not letting anything divide Americans with fear and hatred,” Alqadhi said.

Alqadhi said observing Ramadan is an important part of her culture and religion. 

Since moving to the United States, Alqadhi said practicing Ramadan has been different since she’s been away from her immediate family, but she continues to celebrate with the Muslim community in the area. 

“It is part of our culture for our families to gather on Fridays. We eat together, talk, drink tea and spend time with our extended family. Family is centered in our culture,” Alqadhi said. 

Alqadhi said she participated in a culture fair in Washington, D.C., where various groups related to each county were showcased. She said doing something similar at A-State would be a great example of how people can learn about different cultures, especially during National Arab American Heritage Month.

“There are many countries that fall under the heading of Arab and it would be nice to have something that shows the unique things about each country like clothes, music, dance, dialects and food,” Alqadhi said.

Alqadhi said she is proud of her culture and is very thankful for the opportunity to teach the Arabic language at A-State.

“The students that I have met are very friendly, smile, help me if I ask them any questions. But I have noticed that the different cultural groups don’t really mix,” Alqadhi said. “I hope more American students will learn about the Arabic culture and learn the Arabic language.” 

Categories: Life