ARAB HISTORY MONTH 2025
جذورنا (Juthooruna)
Our Roots
Living in the Arab diaspora carries a certain romanticism—distance from our motherlands only deepens our love for our heritage. This year’s Arab Heritage Month theme, جذورنا (Juthooruna), Our Roots, reflects both the longing for connection and the enduring appreciation for our shared culture despite our estrangement.
The diasporic identity is one that blends tradition with unique experiences. The Arab diaspora holds a culture of its own, born from resilience, adaptation, and a deep connection to heritage.
The pomegranate symbolizes the maternal bond we hold with our homelands—distinct yet united by shared experiences. Its fallen seeds represent those of us scattered across the diaspora, carrying forward both the legacy of our roots and the new soil where we continue to grow.
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
Organizers/sponsors vary by event—see event links below for details, and contact event organizers with inquiries about specific events.
HERITAGE MONTHS
JSA Culture Night
March 12, 2025 | 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Rackham Building, 4th floor
Sponsored by the Jordanian Student Association
We are excited to announce JSA's second ever Culture Night! Please save the date for a night of cultural activities, entertainment, and delicious food!!
A Carillon Journey through Middle-Eastern Music
March 17, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Burton Memorial Tower, 10th floor
Sponsored by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Join Drs. Christine El-Hage Walters and Tiffany Ng at Burton Memorial Tower for a special noon carillon recital that journeys through a blend of traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern music, highlighting the distinct tonalities and rhythms found throughout this area of the world.
Arab Heritage Month Opening Ceremony
March 17, 2025 | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom
Sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs
[Register] Join us to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff—we welcome everyone to celebrate, learn, and engage in this special occasion. Dinner will be served. We look forward to seeing you there!
Late Night Community Social
March 20, 2025 | 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
North Quad Space 2435
Sponsored by the Lebanese Student Association
Join us for a cozy evening filled with Lebanese desserts and refreshments while catching up with friends. Enjoy a fun mix of video games, board games, and card games, or bring your studies along and make the most of a welcoming community space!
Anti-Racism Teach-In: Possible Histories: Arab Americans and the Queer Ecology of Peddling
March 26, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
West Quad, Asubuhi Lounge
Sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs
Through diverse methods of documenting personal experiences, Professor Charlotte Karem Albrecht will dive into the intersections of gender, sexuality, and racial discrimination. This engaging discussion will shed light on untold narratives and challenge us to rethink how history is recorded and remembered.
NAAMA NextGen x PAMA Dinner Fundraiser
March 26, 2025 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Trotter MPR 2 & 3
Sponsored by NAAMA NextGen and PAMA
Enjoy a delicious dinner and take part in a raffle with incredible prizes from local businesses! All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to PAMA National, directly supporting their missions in Palestine.
Rebuilding Syria after 14 Years of Civil War: Challenges and Opportunities
March 27, 2025 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Weill Hall, Betty Ford Classroom
Sponsored by the Ford School Weiser Diplomacy Center
[Register] Qutaiba Idlbi and Dr. Abdalmajid Katranji will provide a comprehensive overview of Syria’s devastating civil war, which began in 2011 and has left deep scars on the nation’s infrastructure, economy, and population.
Sofra Night
April 3, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
North Quadrangle 2435
Sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs' Arab Heritage Month Committee
[Register] Experience the warmth of Arab hospitality at Sofra Night! All are welcome and gather with us for an evening of traditional floor seating, rich conversation, and a delicious Arab-style dinner. Enjoy the ambiance of live music, authentic flavors, and community connection.
A Talk with Ghassan Zeineddine
April 7, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Trotter Multicultural Center, Sankofa Lounge
Sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs' Arab Heritage Month Committee
[Register] Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ghassan Zeineddine about Dearborn, his latest book exploring the lives, struggles, and triumphs of the Arab diaspora in Dearborn. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on identity, community, and the immigrant experience.
SAAE Speaker Series
April 16, 2025 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
G.G. Brown Building, Blue Lounge
Sponsored by the Society of Arab American Engineers and Civil and Environmental Engineering's Community Engagement and Empowerment Committee
Hear from various Arab professionals in the engineering industry and beyond, including Dr. Ahmed Al-Bayati, an expert in construction engineering, management, and safety, who will be sharing his journey as a professional engineer. Dinner will be served.
Arab Unity Ball
April 17, 2025 | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Graduate Hotel Terrace Ballroom
Sponsored by the Arab Student Association
[Register] A night for a black tie event—Arab Unity Ball has arrived! Gather in recognition of each others achievements and hard work throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Tickets are $15 each on April 1 and must be purchased in advance.
A Shared Struggle: Arab-American Perspective on Academic Freedom and Expression
April 18, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
GG Brown 1280 (Blue Lounge)
Sponsored by ME Engenuity
[Register] Join ME Engenuity for a talk by Professor Leila Kawar on academic freedom and democratic governance issues in higher education. Lunch will be provided!
SAAE Speaker Series
April 23, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Michigan Union, Wolverine Room
Sponsored by the Society of Arab American Engineers and Civil and Environmental Engineering's Community Engagement and Empowerment Committee
Hear from various Arab professionals in the engineering industry and beyond, including three speakers engaged in engineering, politics, law, and more to close out SAAE's speaker series for the month. Dinner will be served.
Have any questions?
Contact event organizers with inquiries about specific events. Other questions? Contact [email protected].