ARAB HERITAGE MONTH 2024
Our Strength: Celebrating Arab Culture
We honor and showcase the remarkable resilience embedded within Arab culture, emphasizing our ability to overcome obstacles, preserve cultural identity, and contribute positively to the community. "Our Strength" reflects the collective determination, perseverance, and fortitude that have shaped the Arab world, focusing on the strength derived from diverse voices within the Arab community. It aims to empower our community to share their stories, traditions, and experiences, creating a platform for dialogue, unity, and understanding.
Arab Heritage Month at U-M is led by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs' Arab Heritage Month Committee.
ⓘ What is Arab Heritage Month? Arab Heritage Month celebrates the Arab American history, culture, and traditions, and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans. While National Arab American Heritage Month is marked in April, we recognize the month from mid-March to mid-April at U-M.
Listing of events
This is a campus-wide calendar and organizers/sponsors vary by event. See event links below for details, and contact event organizers with inquiries about specific events.
Crossing Borders: The Search for Dignity in Palestine
March 13, 2024 | 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
UM-Dearborn College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Building 1013
Sponsored by the UM-Dearborn Center for Arab American Studies
A book talk and Q&A with Christa Bruhn, writer and UM-Dearborn alumna, as she discusses her memoir, Crossing Borders: The Search for Dignity in Palestine. Bruhn will share her experience as an American mother of three Palestinians during a visit to Jerusalem and Gaza, witnessing the daily challenges Palestinians go through.
Arab Heritage Month Opening Ceremony
March 18, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom
Sponsored by MESA's Arab Heritage Month planning committee
Please join us in kicking off our Arab Heritage Month events by attending the opening ceremony. There will be speakers, food, AHM 2024 merch and more.
Palestinian and Arab Feminism
March 18, 2024 | 9:00 p.m.
North Quad 2435
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
Join ASA for day 1 of Palestinian Focus Week. Contact Ryan Mirza, [email protected], for more information.
LGBTQ+ Intersectionality and Activism
March 19, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
Edward Said Lounge
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
Join ASA for day 2 of Palestinian Focus Week, with a guest speaker. Contact Ryan Mirza, [email protected], for more information.
Complications and Manipulations of Anti-Muslim and Anti-Palestinian Bias
March 21, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
Trotter Multicultural Center, Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
Join ASA for day 3 of Palestinian Focus Week, with dinner and a guest speaker. Contact Ryan Mirza, [email protected], for more information.
Anti-Racism Teach-In
March 26, 2024 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Central Campus Classroom Building (CCCB) 0460
Sponsored by MESA's Arab Heritage Month planning committee
Join us for MESA's peer-led Anti-Racism Teach-In, a 90-minute teach-in aimed to provide tools and prompts to engage in a meaningful conversation with others as we unpack our varying experiences.
Tea and Game Night
March 27, 2024 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
South Quad, YK Lounge
Sponsored by MESA's Arab Heritage Month and Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Come meet new people and learn cultural games between these communities. Food, fun, competition and laughter for those who come!
Arab Unity Ball
March 28, 2024 | 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
Contact [email protected] for more info.
Palestine Philanthropy Week
April 1-4, 2024
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
- April 1:
- 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.: Cake Pops and Oreo Truffles and Palestine Crewnecks (Haven Hall Table B)
- 10:00 p.m.: Idea Hub Sale for Suhoor (Idea Hub)
- April 2
- 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.: Cake Pops and Oreo Truffles and Palestine Crewnecks (Haven Hall Table B)
- 10:00 p.m.: Idea Hub Sale for Suhoor (Idea Hub)
- April 3
- 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.: Cake Pops and Oreo Truffles and Palestine Crewnecks (Haven Hall Table D)
- 10:00 p.m.: Idea Hub Sale for Suhoor (Idea Hub)
- April 4
- 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Cake Pops and Oreo Truffles and Palestine Crewnecks (Haven Hall Table B)
- 10:00 p.m.: Art Gallery and Fundraiser (Trotter Multipurpose Room)
Contact Ryan Mirza, [email protected], for more information.
ABS x NAAMA Dinner Event
April 2, 2024 | 7:45 p.m.
North Quad, Space 2435
Sponsored by Arab Business Society and National Arab American Medical Association
Dinner and Sahra hosted by NAAMA and ABS, welcoming all students to join us in breaking their fast and hanging out afterward. Food, games, and sweets will be provided! [Registration required—see link]
FAM Friday
April 12, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.
Trotter Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Trotter Multicultural Center and Arab Student Association
A collaboration with Trotter and ASA inviting others to learn more about Arab culture and dances.
Arab Wolverine Day
April 12, 2024 | Time TBD
Location TBD
Sponsored by Arab Student Association
Event description TBD. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Manaeesh With Mama
April 14, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.
Trotter Multicultural Center, Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by Epsilon Alpha Sigma International Sorority Inc.
Manaeesh with Mama is EAΣ's annual event that celebrates the strength and influence of women, bringing together a community of empowered individuals. The sisters of EAΣ extend an invitation to all remarkable women who inspire us in a collective effort of empowerment and support. Let's come together, share stories, and amplify the voices of those who inspire us most!
CommuniTEA
April 16, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.
Trotter Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Trotter Multicultural Center and Arab Student Association
Come in for a quick snack and tea and learn more about Arab culture and Eid!
Expressing Arab Identity
April 17, 2024 | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
West Quad, Asubuhi Minority Lounge
Sponsored by MESA and The Program on Intergroup Relations
A peer-led dialogue centered around Arab student experience for students interested in reflecting on identity and building community. Plus mini lecture, small group discussion, and light refreshments. [Registration required—see link]
Arab Heritage Month Faculty, Staff and Student Mixer
April 18, 2024 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Michigan Union, MESA (suite 3000)
Hosted by MESA's Arab Heritage Month
Food provided.
Middle Eastern/North African Graduation Celebration
May 1, 2024 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Biomedical Science Research Building, Kahn Auditorium
Sponsored by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives
The first ME/NA graduation was held in 2015 and continues to grow. The celebration acknowledges the accomplishments of the Middle Eastern and North African students. [Registration required—see link]
HERITAGE MONTHS
Submit an event to the Arab Heritage Month calendar
Help us co-create this calendar to receive a commemorative U-M Arab Heritage Month badge you can add to your marketing materials.
Have any questions?
Contact event organizers with inquiries about specific events. Other questions? Contact [email protected].