National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017. During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful of states recognizing the initiative. Each year, our grass-roots network of over 250 Arab American volunteers in 26 states gathers hundreds of proclamations from their states, counties, municipalities, and local school districts. If you would like to join a state team please contact Dr. Amal David.
The President of the United States recognized the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month with a special commemorative letter to our organization. In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative.
"Not all Arab Americans celebrate Ramadan. However, many members of the Muslim faith celebrate the month of Ramadan that began the evening of February 28, 2025 and ended in the evening of March 31, 2025"
According to the Islamic Networks Group (ING), “Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.”
During Ramadan many families fast during the day but do eat at night (after the sun goes down) and in the morning (before the sun comes up).
On April 10th @ 6pm the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission for the City of Temecula (41000 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590) is celebrating Arab American Heritage Month by holding a proclamation for Arab American clubs from our high schools
April is also National Deaf History Month, a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusivity and equal accessibility for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experiencing hearing loss within our local communities. National Deaf History Month is recognized and celebrated every year from April 1st to April 30th. During this time, we honor and remember the accomplishments of d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
National Deaf History Month was a part of a past Seal of Civic Engagement Project that we are proud to share with all of our amazing schools to celebrate this month.
We encourage educators to identify materials in your existing core curriculum that can be used to highlight Arab American Heritage Month and Deaf History Month. Below are additional resources that you may find helpful in aligning with our existing state standards:
