Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month
Arab Americans have a rich and diverse cultural heritage, representing a mosaic of traditions, languages, and histories. With deep roots in over 22 Arabic-speaking countries, Arab Americans have found new communities all over the US.
This month, we celebrate the resilience, achievements, and vibrant culture of Arab Americans.
The Arab American Population
There are approximately 3.7 million Arab Americans in the US who live across all 50 states, but up to 95% live in metropolitan areas; New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis are the top six metropolitan areas.
The Arab Countries
Algeria
Bahrain
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco
Oman
Palestine
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
The Language
Arabic is the official language of the Arab countries, and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Arabic is a semitic language, with words based on three consonant roots- triliterial (e.g. Arabic k-t-b for “to write”)
Arabic has various dialects and variants, depending on the region and group that uses it.
Arabic also has a unique writing system, with the script being read from right to left.
Culture & Religion
Arabic culture includes various aspects, such as art, literature, music, architecture, food, clothing, customs and values.
Arab culture is also influenced by various factors, such as religion, ethnicity, history, geography and politics. Arab Americans belong to various religions, such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha'i, Druze, or Zoroastrian.
