Guide to Observing National Arab American Heritage Month

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is proud to recognize and celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) in April, during which time we honor and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Arab Americans. Observance of National Arab Heritage Month began in schools and districts in the early 1990s, and it was first recognized at the national level in 2021. Celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month in classrooms and schools can help students and families feel seen, heard, and valued –– and it creates space for all students to learn about the contributions of Arab Americans to our country’s prosperity and spirit.

As we celebrate our country’s Arab heritage, it is important that we also address any barriers or challenges that Arab Americans may face in their efforts to reach their utmost potential. We all know that America is stronger, both here at home and on the world stage, when we harness the strength of every voice and every community that makes up our nation.

We aim for SDCOE to be a place where in accordance with our board goal of providing educational opportunities and support so that all students are successful — we prioritize the specific needs of Arab Americans and all historically marginalized communities in our policy and ongoing dialogues.

Who Are Arab Americans? 

“Arab” is a cultural and linguistic term that refers to people who speak Arabic as their first language and/or are from the Middle East/North Africa region. While more than 300 millions Arabs from 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa share a language and history, many have different traditions, ethnicities, and religions. While most Arabs are Muslim, there are also millions of Christian Arabs, thousands of Jewish Arabs, and other religious denominations. In contrast, 70% Arab Americans are Christian, and 25% of Arab Americans are Muslim. According to the Arab American Institute (AAI), a non-profit educational and cultural organization, there are nearly four million Arab Americans in the United States, and more than 300,000 Arab Americans in California, the highest population of people who identify as Arab American in the country.

Supporting Muslim Students: Countering Islamophobia in Public Schools 

With the rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Arab Americans following 9/11, intentionally learning about our Muslim students, families, and colleagues –– during NAAHM and throughout the year ––builds understanding, fosters inclusion, and nurtures allyship. SDCOE offers following educator guides to address Islamophobia: 

• SDCOE Educator Guide to Support Muslim Students: Addressing Islamophobia
• SDCOE Teach 9/11 with Compassion Guide

What our Students and Community Members are Saying 

 

We seek to listen to diverse voices within our community and honor their knowledge and beliefs about educational concerns and best practices for our students. These statements were shared by Middle Eastern students and community members, and we strive to listen and amplify these voices. 

• Center students’ languages, literacies, cultures, and histories 
• Diversify the curriculum, ensuring positive representation
• Support parent/family voice
• Ensure safe and inclusive classrooms
• Learn about and accommodate for religious holidays
• Collaborate with community partners

Watch the full SDCOE Middle Eastern and North African Student Experience Panel video where students speak to their experiences in education.

 

Resources for Educators

• Arab Americans: PBS
• Arab American Museum: The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is the first and only museum of its kind in the United States devoted to recording the Arab American experience. Since opening in 2005, AANM’s mission has been to document, preserve and present the history, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. Curriculum Toolkit.
• Arab American History and Culture: Smithsonian 
• Arab American Stories: Arab American Stories is an Emmy Award-winning 13-part series presented by Detroit Public Television that explores the diversity of the Arab-American experience.  The series was produced by Alicia Sams (who was also the producer/director of the Emmy Award-winning film By the People:  The Election of Barack Obama) and is hosted by NPR’s Neda Ulaby.  Each half hour features three short, character-driven documentaries produced by a variety of independent filmmakers which profile Arab Americans making an impact in their community, their profession, their family or the world at large. 
• Arabic Language: Open Education Resources (OER) 
• Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month: This Learning for Justice guide aims to help educators celebrate Arab identity, counter negative stereotypes, teach about Arab history and cultures, and ensure an inclusive environment that supports Arab American students this month and throughout the year.
• How Teachers Can Support Arab-American Students: The Cult of Pedagogy
• National Arab American Heritage Month: Arab American Foundation
• Presently Invisible: The Arab Plight in American Classrooms: This Learning for Justice resource aims to create more inclusive classrooms and counter negative narratives about Arab Americans, educators can include Arab American history and culture in their current curriculum.
• The Story of Arab and Muslim Students Is Often an Untold Story: EdWeek, 2010
• San Diego Arab Film Festival, April 4-13
• TeachMideast: The purpose of TeachMideast is to provide free and accessible, high-quality information and resources to enable K-14 educators to teach about the Middle East in social studies and introductory area studies classes.
• 1001 Inventions.com 
• Videos: 
  • How Arabic Influenced Languages Around the World

 

Books by Grade Level

Grades TK-3

A Map For Falasteen by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Aliaa Betawi

Eleven Words for Love by Randel Abdel-Fattah, illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke

My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya

Salma The Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illustrated by Anna Bron

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard Pak

The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky by Zahra Marwan

 

Grades 4-8

A Kid's Guide to Arab American History by Yvonee Wakim Dennis

Daughters of the Lamp by Nedda Lewers

Ida in the Middle by Nora Lester Murad

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Sifadi

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus, illustrated by Julie Robeine

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Shiny Misfits by Maysoon Zayid, illustrated by Shadia Amin

The Turtle of Michigan by Naomi Shihab Nye

 

Grades 9-12

All American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Home is Not a  Country by Safia Elhillo (Arabophone African)

Determined to Stay by Jody Sokolower

From Here by Luma Mufleh

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

Man o’ War by Cory McCarthy

I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib

Thief of the Heights by Son M., illustrated by Robin Yao