LANSING, Mich. (April 12, 2022) — Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) today introduced Senate Resolution 124 that declares April 2022 as Arab American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan.
Arab American Heritage Month is nationally celebrated every April to recognize the heritage, contributions, and culture of the vast and diverse Arab population in the U.S. There are more than 277,000 Arab Americans in Michigan and nearly 3.7 million nationwide, according to the Arab American Institute. Michigan is home to the second largest Arab American population in the country, behind California.
“We are blessed to have such a strong Arab American community across Michigan, and especially in Dearborn and the rest of my district,” Sen. Santana said. “Their rich culture, traditions, and history are an integral part of our collective story of humanity, while their cultural values set fine examples of model citizenry and public servitude in our communities.”
While individual states have celebrated Arab nations by way of a monthlong celebration, it was Michigan Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib who first brought a national resolution before Congress in 2019. While the resolution never passed, President Joe Biden became the first nationally elected official to provide federal recognition for the April celebration in 2021 and that same year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared April as Arab American Heritage Month in Michigan.
“In every corner of public life, Arab Americans have made unique contributions that elevate the experience of culture and community. In this month we not only celebrate our achievements, but also assert our belonging in the American story,” said Abdullah Hammoud, mayor of Dearborn. “To commemorate Arab American Heritage Month is to be reminded of the possibilities inherent to a vibrant, multiethnic democracy.”
This month’s Arab American Heritage Month is special for many Arab Americans because it nearly perfectly coincides with the observance of the month of Ramadan for Muslims, which is from April 2 to May 2 in the western Gregorian calendar. The observance of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is observed through fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
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