April Arab American Heritage Month resources
Here you will find a selection of resources, stories, videos and historical information on the heritage of Arabs in America to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, April. (Watch the video below)
Journalism Resources
- The State of Arab American news media, a report by Ray Hanania. Click to here read the PDF
- Buy Ray Hanania’s Book “PoweR PR: Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications” Click here
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PAST EVENT
Attend the Chicagoland Arab Heritage Month event
March 30, 2022 at Banquets, 8821 W. 87th Street
in Hickory Hills. Click here for more information
Read the story: March 30, 2022. Arab American Heritage Month celebrated at dinner hosted by American Arab Chamber of Commerce draws more than 250 attendees. Click here to read the story.
BOOK
Book: “Arabs of Chicagoland” by Ray Hanania, published by Arcadia Press, 2005
Click link to get more information
Articles
Arab Americans prepare to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month nationally (APril) in ArabNews.com newspaper
Chicagoland Arabs organize Arab American
Heritage Month Celebrations, 2022 …
News story about Arab American Event March 30, 2022 in Chicagoland. Click to read the story
Arab American Organizations directory …
A selection of Arab American Contacts: Click here to Read
Remembering the Arabs on the Titanic
Ray Hanania’s research “The Arabs aboard the #Titanic: we get the pain but not the glory” A look back 25 years later at #JamesCameron‘s film and how Arabs were marginalized in his movie when it was released on Dec. 19 1997.
Click here to read original 1988 Column published after the release of the movie Titanic
April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law
Illinois Legislature passes law to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month. The bill was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan on October 18, 2018, and co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Landek and Representative Mike Zalewski. The bill restores respect for Illinois’ Arab American community which was disrespected by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
Journalists and elected officials celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
The Arab American Democratic Club hosted a forum of journalists and elected officials and community leaders on Thursday April 22, 2021 to discuss both Ramadan and Arab American Heritage Month (April). Click to read the story
VIDEO
A Video History of Arabs in America
Follow the path of Arab immigration in Chicago from 18th and Michigan (The Plymotuh Rock of Arab settlement) through the South and Southwest Sides, visiting the original centers, neighborhoods and business centers from the turn of the century through the present.
This is a video narration of the immigration in Chicago. Also, historic photographs and facts. Arab, Jordanian, Lebanese/Lebanon, Egyptian, Syrian, Palestinian/Palestine, Yemeni, and more.
A companion to the video interview conducted by NPR/WBEZ Radio host Steve Edwards with Ray Hanania.
Broadcast on 30 Minutes on Comcast Cable TV in Chicagoland in November 2004. History. Ethnicity. Culture. Islam. Muslim. Jewish. Christian. Mosques. Churches. Synagogues.
You can watch a history of Arab Americans in the United States and in Chicago by using the video widget below or by clicking this link.
A tour of Arabs of Chicagoland by Ray Hanania (Begins after 60 seconds of TV Black Screen)
Illinois makes Arab American Heritage Month a law, Oct. 18, 2018
Resolution passed by the Illinois General Assembly over the objections of racist Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who did everything possible to undermine the Arab American community during his 8 racist years in office.
On Dec. 14, 2018, the Governor of Illinois signed a law that designates the month of April as Arab American Heritage Month. The law was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.
Public Act 100-1150: AN ACT concerning government
HB5971 Enrolled
LRB100 23891 RJF 42960 b
WHEREAS, It is appropriate and right to celebrate a diversity of cultures and heritages, and such celebration serves as a reminder that despite our differing backgrounds, everyone in Illinois is bound by a common hope for a better and more inclusive future for our children; and
WHEREAS, The Arab American community has a long and integral history in the United States; and
WHEREAS, For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, technology, government, and culture; and
WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of Arab Americans have served during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, The history of Arab Americans in American life often remains neglected and has been riddled with misunderstanding and bigotry; and
WHEREAS, Men and women of Arab descent have shared their rich culture, strong work ethic, and dedication to education, while embracing the American spirit of opportunity and helping us build a better nation and State for all; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are approximately 450,000 people of Arab American descent in Illinois with more than 100,000 Arab American voters registered; and
WHEREAS, We recognize and celebrate the contributions to cultural diversity, economic growth, and the overall development of our State and nation made by the Arab American community; therefore
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended by adding Section 6 as follows:
(5 ILCS 490/6 new)
Sec. 6. Arab American Heritage Month. The month of April of each year is designated as Arab American Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the valuable contributions of Arab Americans to this State and to the various aspects of American society.
Effective Date: 12/14/2018
Photo Video array of Arab American Heritage Month
To view video, use the widget below or click this link to view on Youtube
A Brief History of Arabs in Illinois:
Click here for a History of Arabs in Chicagoland
Click here to view more stories on
Arab American Heritage Month at SuburbanChicagoland.com
Click here for even more stories on
Arab American Heritage Month at TheArabDailyNews.com
For information on Arab Americans in the U.S. Military, click here
