April is recognized as Arab American Heritage Month. Celebratory events highlight the richness of the history and contributions of Arabs and Arab American communities.
Many Arab Americans are second, third, and fourth generation immigrants. Some are decedents of the first immigrants who arrived in the New York and New Jersey areas in the second half of the nineteenth century. Arab Americans can trace their ancestry to the countries from which they or their ancestors migrated to the United States. These countries include Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Dijbouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The largest group comprising nearly one- third of the Arab American population are Lebanese Americans.
The Census Bureau reported in 2010 that there were 1.8 million Arab Americans in the United States, with the largest percentage residing in Dearborn, Michigan. There are over 10,000 Arab Americans living in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County declared April to be observed as Arab American Heritage Month. This celebration recognizes and honors the contributions that Arab Americans make to the County and the nation. Montgomery College acknowledges and celebrates the heritage and contributions of our Arab American community. Employees and students are encouraged to participate in events and activities at the College and within the surrounding communities to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month.
To access a list of events/activities at Montgomery College that celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, please go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/aahm.
To read more about the history, culture and contributions of Arab Americans, please visit http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/Arab+American+Culture.id.168.htm or http://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Arab-Americans.html
To read more about Montgomery County Population and Races, please go to the link, http://www.usa.com/montgomery-county-md-population-and-races.htm
To read other related topics, please go to the Office of Equity and Diversity Website, http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/department.aspx?id=33970
