California has passed a resolution that permanently establishes the month of April as Arab-American Heritage Month, a move that cements the community's visibility in the state.
The measure, approved on Thursday, was introduced by California Representative Eloise Gomez, a Democrat who serves as the Golden State's majority leader in the state assembly.
“For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, education, science, technology, government, arts and culture,” the resolution states.
About 3.7 million Americans are believed to have roots in an Arab country and California is home to the largest number, with more than 700,000 Arab-American residents.
Arab Americans live in every state in the US, but the majority are concentrated in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Warren David, president of the Arab America Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting Arab Americans, said the move comes after a nationwide effort that began in 2017.
“This is extremely gratifying and just empowering for our community,” Mr David told The National.
California's Little Arabia – in pictures
Forty years after opening, Al Tayebat Market is expanding, has been remodelled, and is still considered to be the heart of Little Arabia in Anaheim, California. Photo: Steve LaBate
Hijabi Queens is a series of NFT murals by Karter Zaher and Doaa Alhawamdeh. Photo: Steve LaBate
Mohammad "Mo" Alam, a Lebanese immigrant, opened a bakery in 1998 that expanded and became the Forn Al Hara restaurant in 2005. Photo: Steve LaBate
Nader Hamda, who manages Forn Al Hara, said that before moving to California from Boston he was feeling isolated, given the city’s relatively small Arab population. Photo: Steve LaBate
Forn Al Hara's bakery also serves fatayer, triangular hand pies stuffed with spinach, cheese or spicy sujuk sausage. Photo: Steve LaBate
Flatbread with sujuk and cheese from Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
Forn Al Hara serves maamoul, traditional cookies filled with pureed dates, chopped walnuts or pistachios. Photo: Steve LaBate
Fatayer bakes in the oven at Forn Al Hayer. Photo: Steve LaBate
Save room for dessert! Fig cookies from Little Arabia's Forn Al Hara. Photo: Steve LaBate
House of Mandi's general manager Omar Alsameeai, a Yemeni who moved to the US three years ago. Photo: Steve LaBate
The lamb galaba from House of Mandi. Photo: Steve LaBate
Staff at the House of Mandi want diners to experience Yemeni culture at its finest. Photo: Steve LaBate
Diners at the House of Mandi at traditional floor seating. Photo: Steve LaBate
Owned by Palestinian-American Salah Othman, and managed by his daughter Samantha, Sababa Falafel Shop used to be a Subway. Photo: Steve LaBate
A custom-made falafel pita from Sababa. Photo: Steve LaBate
The pitas at Sababa are works of art — custom built, gorgeously arranged and undeniably photogenic. Photo: Steve LaBate
Sababa manager Samantha, whose entrepreneur father owns the business in Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
Sababa opened during the Covid-19 lockdown but managed to thrive. Photo: Steve LaBate
At Knafeh Cafe the original Knafeh recipe has been passed down for generations. Photo: Steve LaBate
The Little Arabia shopping plaza sits in the shadows of Anaheim's Disneyland. Photo: Steve LaBate
Al Anwar specialises in Islamic fashion including hijabs, jilbabs, abayas and other modest clothing. Photo: Steve LaBate
Prayer beads hang at Al Anwar Islamic Fashion shop. Photo: Steve LaBate
Headscarves and prayer rugs for sale at Al Anwar Islamic Fashions. Photo: Steve LaBate
Anaheim's Little Arabia. Photo: Steve LaBate
Rashad Al Dabbagh led the charge to have Little Arabia be given an official civic designation. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
Little Arabia Restaurant is known for its Ramadan buffet. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
Halawet el jibn is served at Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
Sweets from Le Mirage Bakery in Little Arabia. Photo: Arab American Civic Council
“We're hoping that more state legislatures will follow suit.”
California's Governor Gavin Newsom last month issued a proclamation designating April 2023 as National Arab-American Heritage Month, joining Illinois, Oregon, Virginia and Indiana.
Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Rhode Island could be next, according to Mr David.
In late March, President Joe Biden, who came into office in 2021 promising to usher in a new era of equality and inclusivity in the US, issued a formal proclamation recognising April 2023 as Arab-American Heritage Month.
“The Arab-American story is the American story – one of diverse backgrounds and faiths, vibrant tradition, bold innovation, hard work, commitment to community and stalwart patriotism, all coming together to accomplish something greater than any one of us,” Mr Biden said at the time.
Similar recognitions are common in the US for other minority groups. The month of May, for instance, is Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
During the designated month, achievements of Americans from that group are celebrated at institutions, schools and in municipalities. Cultural events are often held with food, music, dancing and art displays.
Mr David said there are now efforts to make Arab-American Heritage Month permanently recognised at the federal level in the US.
“In the future, we'd love to have a permanent proclamation, recognising national Arab-American Heritage Month,” Mr David said.