National Arab American Heritage Month
April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). This annual celebration highlights the culture, heritage, and contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.
In the 1990s, school districts in various states began celebrating Arab American heritage sporadically at different times of the year. In 2017, a national initiative to coordinate all states under National Arab American Heritage Month began. In 2019 and 2020, a resolution to designate April as NAAHM was introduced in the House of Representatives but has not currently passed. However, in 2022, the U.S. President, U.S. State Department, 45 governors, and 100 municipalities, countries, and/or school districts issued proclamations observing this celebration. Specifically, Pierre Subeh, a Syrian immigrant and entrepreneur, advocated for the U.S. Department of State to recognize this commemoration.
To recognize and celebrate this month, CEHHS curated a list of resources centering Arab American voices and stories. These resources are available through the UT Library and online.
2025 Resource Update – Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
TheFor 2025, CEHHS A&E proudly honors Arab Americans who have dedicated themselves to preserving their rich heritage, building strong communities, and inspiring future generations. These remarkable individuals have made impactful contributions across diverse fields such as business, government, education, science, and the arts, significantly enriching America’s cultural landscape. They have empowered others to embrace their identity, strive for excellence, and foster positive change. This year’s NAAHM theme, Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future, highlights the collective strength and influence of Arab Americans. From local neighborhoods to national stages, and from historical milestones to modern achievements, Arab Americans have been instrumental in our society. By celebrating their contributions, we aim to inspire all generations to explore their heritage, pursue leadership roles, and bring communities together to celebrate and share Arab American histories.
Learn More
- An Arab American singer reframes music about the Crusades | Article & Podcast Segment – NPR
- Arab Americans in East Tennessee: The importance of Arabic cuisine in Knoxville | Video
- Fighting for Freedom: The Little-Known Story of Muslims and the Civil War | Video – PBS
- Hadha Baladuna: Arab American Narratives of Boundary and Belonging | E-Book – Ghassan Zeineddine et al. (Eds.)
- Making An Impact – Arab American Contributions | Article – Arab American National Museum
Arab American and Arabic-speaking Voices
The resources below feature some Arab American voices through different media formats. Bolded resources signify those written/created by Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking people.
Previously Highlighted Resources
2024 Highlighted Resources
- Arab American Stories | Documentary Series – Detroit Public Television (NPR)
- A Curious Land: Stories from Home | Short Stories – Susan Muaddi Darraj
- National Arab American Demographics | Research Brief – Arab American Institute
- Sajjilu Arab American | E-Book – Louise Cainkar, Pauline Homsi Vinsor & Amira Jarmakani (Eds.)
- We Have Always Been Here | Physical Book – Samra Habib
General Educational Resources
- Arab & Arab American Feminism | E-Book – Rabab Abdulhadi, Evelyn Alsultany, & Nadine Christine Naber (Eds.)
- Arab-American Faces and Voices | Physical Book – Elizabeth Boosahda
- Beyond Memory: An Anthology of Contemporary Arab American Creative Nonfiction | Pauline Kaldas & Khaled Mattawa (Eds.)
- Residential Patterns of Arab Americans | E-Book – Jennifer Leila Holsinger
Children & Young Adult Literature
All titles in this section are available in the Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Curated by Susan L. Groenke, PhD.
- Cresent Moons and Pointed Minarets | Physical Book – Hena Khan
- A Very Large Expanse of Sea | Physical Book – Tahereh Mafi
- Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers | Physical Book – Lina al-Hathloul (Author), Uma Mishra-Newbery (Author), & Rebecca Green (Illustrator)
- Other Words for Home | Physical Book – Jasmine Warga
- The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family | Physical Book – Ibtihaj Muhammad (Author), S.K. Ali (Author), & Hetem Aly (Illustrator)
- Sugar Comes from Arabic: A Beginner’s Guide to Arabic Letters and Words | Physical Book – Barbara Whitesides
Essays, Poetry & Memoirs
- The Cairo House | Memoir – Samia Sergeldin
- Inclined to Speak | Poetry – Hayan Charara (Ed.)
- Never in a Hurry | Essays – Naomi Shihad Nye
- Sifting the Silence | Poetry – Etel Adnan
Movies, Documentaries & Videos
- Amreeka | Movie
- The Arab American Experience | Video
- Arab American Stories: Traditions | Documentary (Episode)
- Muslim Youth Voices | Short Film Collection
Multimedia Resources
- Arab American Heritage Month | Digital Special Collection – Arab American National Museum
- Arab American History and Culture | Virtual Collection – Smithsonian
- Faris and Yamna Naff Arab American Collection | Archival Guide – Smithsonian Institution
- Yalla Eat! | Instagram Takeover – Arab American National Museum
Physical & E-Books
- The Frightened Ones | Physical Book – Dīmah Wannūs
- Hope & Other Dangerous Pursuits | Physical Book – Laila Lalami
- How Does it Feel to Be a Problem? | Physical Book – Moustafa Bayoumi
- The Thirty Names of Night | Physical Book – Zeyn Joukhadar
Podcasts
- The Amreekies | Mohammad A., Ehab J. & Alla F.
- The Queer Arabs | Alia, Ellie, Ahmed, Nadia & Adam
- See Something Say Something | Ahmed Ali Akbar
- Seen Jeem | Center for Arab American Studies
Updated April 2025 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Candidate, CEHHS A&E, University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Curated April 2023 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Student, CEHHS A&E, University of Tennessee, Knoxville