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Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month | From Damascus to Chicago

April 1, 2021

By Beatrice Alvarez

April is here and that means we are celebrating Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM). While not recognized by the federal government, AAHM is celebrated in many U.S. schools, cities, and states. Of course, around here we acknowledge the contributions of our diverse communities 24/7/365, but we like to take special note of heritage months to learn more and uplift the stories of people’s rich heritage.

For starters, it is important to understand what it means to be of Arab descent. Simply put, Arab Americans have roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North African regions: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. And within all those countries, there are various languages, religions, traditions that are now part of our American story.

These films featured here represent some of the millions of voices and diverse experiences of Arab Americans. 

Writing an American Story | Borders & Heritage

Borders & HeritageWriting an American Story: Playwright Yussef El Guindi

Yussef El Guindi is among a handful of Arab American playwrights.

Arab American National Museum | Detroit Performs

Detroit PerformsArab American National Museum

Arab American National Museum. Ep 605/Seg 3.

Somalia: A Nation of Poets | TPT

Somalia: A Nation of PoetsSomalia: A Nation of Poets

Somalis worldwide stay connected to their culture and homeland through poetry.

The Feeling of Being Watched | POV Shorts | Starts streaming April 5

POVTrailer | The Feeling of Being Watched

A journalist investigates rumors of surveillance in her Arab-American neighborhood.

A Song for Daniel | POV Shorts

POVA Song For Daniel

A day in the life of two boys living on opposite sides of the world.

Natour's Grocery | POV Shorts

POVNatour's Grocery

Filmmaker Nadine Natour tells the story of her parents’ emigration to the United States.

Syrian Plight | Muslim Youth Voices

Muslim Youth VoicesSyrian Plight

SYRIAN PLIGHT, a film by Dunya Khalil.

Dalya's Other Country | POV | Starts streaming April 5

POVDalya's Other Country - Trailer

A family displaced by the Syrian conflict remakes themselves after the parents separate.

Lalia Lalami | Book View Now

Book View NowLalia Lalami | 2019 National Book Festival

Laila Lalami's "The Other Americans"

Maya | Film-Maker

film-makerEpisode 206 - Maya

“Maya” is about a Syrian immigrant newly settled in the U.S..

From Damascus to Chicago | POV Shorts | Starts streaming April 5

POVFrom Damascus to Chicago

A family navigates life in a new city and country.

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