City Schools celebrates Arab American Heritage Month, recognizing the rich history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans in our community and across the nation. The month honors the heritage of Arab Americans, who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, religions, and cultures spanning 22 nations.
History of the Month
In 2017, organizations such as the Arab America Foundation and Arab American Institute helped launch a national initiative to formally recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month. What began with local proclamations and school-based recognition steadily grew, gaining support from states and school districts across the country.
In 2021, the effort reached a national milestone when Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation recognizing Arab American Heritage Month, affirming the important role Arab Americans have played in shaping the United States.
Learn more
Arab American Foundation 
Elementary
Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrode
Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi
The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil
The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu
Middle School
Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners by Naomi Shihab Nye
Ms. Marvel vol 1: Destined by Saladin Ahmed
A Long Pitch Home by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
The Magical Reality of Nadia by Yūsuf, Bāsim
High School
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria
From Here by Luma Mufleh
Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhill
It Won't Always Be Like This by Malaka Gharib
Did you know?
Acclaimed American journalist, writer, and former civil rights lawyer Alia Malek was born in Baltimore in 1974 to Syrian immigrant parents. She earned her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University, a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and later completed a master’s in journalism at Columbia University.
Created by City Schools with assistance from AI.