Arab American Heritage Month is a month-long celebration in the United States that occurs in April each year. It aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions, culture, and history of Arab Americans to American society. This month is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the diversity and complexity of Arab American identity and history, as well as to promote understanding and dialogue among different communities. It is also an opportunity to recognize the challenges and struggles faced by Arab Americans, including discrimination and anti-Arab sentiment, and to promote social justice and equality for all.
Arab Heritage Month at Northwestern is pioneered by the MENA Student Association and also features collaborations with the MENA Studies Department, MENA Languages Department, and other student groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine & NUCHR.
AHM Kickoff-Norris Tabling
March 31 Friday - 12-4
MENA will be fundraising at the front tables in Norris from 12pm-4pm selling yummy Arab sweets and foods followed by painting the rock from 4pm-5pm!
Arabic Calligraphy Workshop
Friday April 7 5-7pm Wildcat room Norris
Come join MENA SA in the Norris Wildcat Room from 5pm-7pm to learn the art of calligraphy. Write your name or favorite Arabic phrases in beautiful artistry and have a good time!
Zeina Hashem Poetry Reading
Join the MENA Studies Department for a poetry ready by Zeina Hashem Beck on Tuesday April 11th in 2122 Performance Hall. Zeina Hashem Beck is a Lebanese poet and writer. Her poetry explores themes of identity and displacement. In addition to her writing Zeina is a passionate advocate for promoting the work of Arab writers and expanding access to poetry in the MENA region.
Explore Arabic and Quranic Manuscripts
MENA Languages Department is spearheading an exciting new workshop that delves into the Arabic Islamic Manuscripts of the Herskovits African Library. Led by distinguished Arabic professors Ragy Mikhaeel and Rana Raddawi, this event provides a unique opportunity for students to explore and learn from rare manuscripts. Join us on Monday April 24th from 5pm-7pm in Main Library Level 5 East.
Arab Expressions
Friday 28th Location: TBD
Arab Expressions a dynamic cultural showcase pioneered by the MENA Student Association that celebrates the rich and diverse traditions of the Arab world. This event features authentic Arab cuisine, live performances of traditional music on the oud and tabla, and a poetry reading by Arab members of the Northwestern community, including undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. 'Arab Expressions' is a vibrant celebration of the many contributions that Arab culture has made to our community, and an opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
Mohammed El Kurd Speaking Event
Mohammed El Kurd is coming to Northwestern to speak hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine and Northwestern Community for Human Rights. He is a Palestinian writer and poet from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. He gained international attention in 2021 for his activism against the forced eviction of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah by Israeli settlers. El-Kurd has been vocal on social media, using his platform to raise awareness about the situation in Sheikh Jarrah and the broader issue of Palestinian displacement and dispossession. He has been interviewed by various media outlets and his writing has been published in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and other publications. El-Kurd has been recognized for his activism and advocacy, including being named on the TIME 100 Next list for 2021.