{"id":5895,"date":"2022-04-04T11:55:35","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T15:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/?p=5895"},"modified":"2023-12-11T16:55:41","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T21:55:41","slug":"national-arab-american-heritage-month-what-it-is-how-to-honor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/national-arab-american-heritage-month-what-it-is-how-to-honor\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Blog: National Arab American Heritage Month: What It Is &#038; How to Honor It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><button id=\"listenButton1\" class=\"responsivevoice-button\" type=\"button\" value=\"Play\" title=\"ResponsiveVoice Tap to Start\/Stop Speech\"><span>&#128266; Listen to this article<\/span><\/button>\n        <script>\n            listenButton1.onclick = function(){\n                if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){\n                    responsiveVoice.cancel();\n                }else{\n                    responsiveVoice.speak(\"It wasn\u2019t until I was co-organizing a panel discussion for Women\u2019s Heritage Month that it occurred to me. I\u2019ve been an ally to so many underrepresented communities, groups, and markets in the U.S. and have been working on marketing campaigns to uplift the voices of each of these communities but never really thought of empowering my own: the beautifully complex, versatile, and fluid experience of Arab individuals in the United States.\u00a0 Let\u2019s be honest. Arab individuals have been \u2013 and are still being \u2013 underrepresented and misrepresented in the media and in U.S. workplaces. Of course, Arab Americans are not the only demographic group that is under- and misrepresented, but it still feels true to say we rarely receive much attention or appreciation in today\u2019s organization-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. That\u2019s one of the reasons I believe it is essential for HR leaders, CEOs, DEI practitioners, and more to understand, acknowledge, and engage in National Arab American History Month (NAAHM), which takes place every April. \u201cDefining who is Arab is a work in progress\u201d In 2022, the total Arab American population is estimated to be around 3.6 million people, although the U.S. census most likely undercounts the number of people in America who are of Arab descent, ancestry, or heritage, according to Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C.\u00a0 As NPR reports, undercounting could be caused by many factors, including the placement of the ancestry question on census documents and \u201cdistrust\/misunderstanding of government surveys among recent immigrants. [...]\u00a0 The current census definition of \u2018Arab ancestry\u2019 also excludes Arab League countries such as Somalia and Sudan as countries of origin,\u201d they point out. \u201cCensus Bureau officials say defining who is Arab is a work in progress.\u201d Understanding the Arab American Experience (Briefly) What is the definition of an Arab person? Put briefly, someone may identify as Arab if their heritage connects to any Arabic-speaking country or culture. \u201cArab\u201d refers to culture and background, and \u201cArabic\u201d refers to language. There are 22 Arabic-speaking countries in the world \u2013 including Lebanon, Algeria, Palestine, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, and more. Arabic is\u00a0 one of the fastest-growing languages in the United States and currently the fifth most-spoken language in the world\u00a0\u00a0 Although many people associate Arab communities with the religion of Islam, Arabic-speaking countries contain many different religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. They also include many different ethnicities, customs, dialects and accents, traditions, and more.\u00a0 Not all Arab people are Muslim, and not all Muslim people are of Arab heritage. It\u2019s also important to understand that Arab individuals come from various races and have various skin tones, whether Black, White, brown-skinned, olive-skinned, or more. Also, people of Arab descent come from almost everywhere in the world: North Africa, the Middle East, Western Asian, and more. Yes! A North African person is also considered Arab. And yes, there are many Middle Eastern people who are not necessarily Arab because Arabic is not their primary language. Examples include people from Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The main intersectional experience among Arab people from these 22 countries is the Arabic language and certain cultural nuances. For instance, imagine a person named Sherif, a 20-something, Muslim, Algerian male who identifies as Afro-Arab. He is standing at a coffee shop in New York City, talking with Jawad, a 50-something, Christian, Lebanese man with light skin who does not identify with color or race. They both communicate in Arabic and French (given the colonization of both their countries by France) and are sharing with each other how their parents cooked similar recipes when they were children. Yet they both acknowledge that their religion, ethnicity, certain cultural customs, the geographical location of their hometowns, social norms, and views are different. What brings them together is how they both value their common experiences as Arab people and Arab Americans.\u00a0 As a side note, when I say that Jawad does not identify with color or race, what I mean is that his skin tone is not an important part of his identity for him. Most Arab countries \u2013 similar to many Caribbean, African, and Latine communities \u2013 do not have the notion of \u201cpeople of color,\u201d and when individuals from these countries migrate to the U.S., they typically do not identify with that term. Instead, they stay true to their own identification of their race and ethnicity. Usually, they will tell you they are \u201cLebanese American\u201d or \u201cSyrian American,\u201d just as many people of Latin American heritage will not identify with the terms Latine or Latinx and, instead, will say \u201cI am Colombian American\\'\\' or \u201cI am Cuban American.\u201d Celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) Although Arab people in the United States celebrate their cultures sporadically throughout the year, until 2019, there was no officially-recognized day, week, or month to highlight the presence and achievements of Arab communities in America. That year, Representatives Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib issued a congressional resolution for NAAHM to be recognized on a national scale. Some individual states (in fact, 26 of them) moved forward to proclaim April as Arab American Heritage Month, but it wasn\u2019t until 2021 that the first recognition on a federal level was issued and published as a White House Letter from President Biden.\u00a0 National Arab American Heritage Month now offers a focal point for street festivals, seminars, workshops, restaurant weeks, industry events, and award ceremonies celebrating Arab excellency in multiple fields of work. One notable event is the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, which takes place in late April in Washington D.C. each year. Hosted by the Arab America Foundation, \u201cthe event is attended by members of Congress, state and local leaders, and members of the Arab American community.\u201d It is a night to shine a spotlight on Arab heritage,culture, arts, music, dance, and food. In 2022, April also happens to align with Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Learn more about diverse holidays throughout the year by downloading and subscribing to The Diversity Movement\u2019s 2022 Diversity Holidays Calendar. A Few Notable Professionals of Arab Background From politics to business, arts, and education, Arab Americans have shown excellence within their fields while taking pride in their cultural backgrounds. Here, we\u2019ll highlight just a few who are moving the needle in the U.S., such as Representative Rashida Tlaib. Representative Tlaib is of Palestinian background and is a highly influential figure on the national stage, especially as an inspiration to young Arab women and those who are in or are migrating from Palestine to the U.S.\u00a0 Albert Baladi, the notable Lebanese CEO of Beam Suntory, is a shining example of the Lebanese Diapsora\u2019s linguistic excellence (he speaks four languages) and of business success.\u00a0 And also Layla F. Saad, an accomplished New York Times Best-Selling Author of East African and Arab descent who identifies as Black and Muslim, has contributed powerful work in education and on topics such as race, identity, and social change. What can you do to honor NAAHM at your organization? Below are simple starter steps you can address: 1. Respecting Cultural Practices (e.g. Ramadan) The most crucial step in understanding an employee\u2019s lived experience is to follow the DAJA approach. Take a moment to ask and learn about your Arab-identifying employee\u2019s culture and inquire about their cultural practices (specifically if they are Muslim and celebrate Ramadan). Remember that there are distinct cultural and religious practices that differ between Christian Muslims and Arab Muslims. When it comes to a holiday like Ramadan, it is best to approach your colleague at least a week or two ahead of the start of the holiday and ask about any schedule changes or accommodations they will need, what the company can provide, and if they need any support. At the end of the day, you want your employees to know they are part of a healthy and safe environment, so remember not to impose or force any rules or unnecessary regulations, and allow them to have a schedule and a work environment that caters to their cultural and religious practices during this month. \u201cMy biggest advice to DEI practitioners is to ask their employees what accommodations their employees need for holidays around the year. Ramadan is around the corner, and it is the longest celebrated holiday in the world. Companies should be aware that Muslims practice in different ways, and there is no one-size fits all accomodation, as we come from a vast variety of cultures, personalities, and ways of practicing. You may find that someone would prefer to have a flexible schedule where they can start their day later due to their sleeping schedule shifting for late-night worship and their pre-dawn breakfast, while another may prefer to start their day earlier to get their work done while they feel most fueled and energetic. While many people like myself insist to have a seat at the table, it is too often that Muslim employees, which are often discriminated against, keep to themselves and find ways to make due in very inconvenient ways.\u201d - Usra Atalla. Graphic Designer, meQuilibrium 2. Providing Space for Cultural Celebration Similar to many other communities \u2013 especially immigrant and expatriate groups \u2013 many Arab American people find happiness in celebrating their culture with friends who are from different backgrounds. Take the opportunity during this month to empower your employees\u2019 celebration of their culture. Acknowledge National Arab American Heritage Month in your internal and external communications and include a way for Arab American employees to give feedback about how they would like to be acknowledged and celebrated. To avoid performative allyship and tokenization, include the people you are trying to celebrate in the planning process and make it clear to your entire workforce that learning about underrepresented cultures benefits the entire organization. Also, provide the opportunity for your Arab-identifying colleagues to take the lead on initiating events, lectures, workshops, and\/or cultural-learning activities that they are comfortable with, and provide proper resources for these events. Your celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month can be as simple as an introductory workshop on Arabic 101, a brief history of the Arab diaspora, or a potluck lunch that provides an introduction to meals from the Arab continent and a chance to share personal stories of cultural upbringing and integration into the American space. \u201cSometimes, agencies want our Arab names to polish their reputation of being diverse but they don\\'t want our Arab experiences. Agency leadership needs to understand that we\\'re not a monolithic group. They need to give us a space where we can be our true selves, unfiltered. For years, the American system erased MENA [Middle East and North African] experiences by folding millions of people into the \\\"White\\\" race\/ethnicity category.\u00a0 Agencies can help change that by seeing their Arab employees and giving them opportunities to showcase their cultures at work and in their work. This is especially true for global agencies. Gone are the days when your Arab employees are just here to translate your lines to Arabic. Get us involved early. We know our stuff and can make your stuff better.\u201d - Chamsseddine Abdelhafidh, Associate Creative Director, R\/GA. \u201cOne way for companies to empower Arab American groups is to learn how to navigate these conversations and lend a supporting hand when our home countries are affected by war, similar to what is being done now in Ukraine. At my last company, when homes were being raided in Palestine, a few coworkers reached out to check in on me; however, none of the higher-ups brought attention to what was happening or sent out a company email like they do with other issues. This simple gesture would\u2019ve made me feel included and comforted, instead of hidden away. Another way to empower Arab Americans is to create spaces where peers can share their culture and foods, educate other coworkers on what is and isn\u2019t appropriate to say, and be open to differing opinions\u201d. - Shahed Khaddaj, Producer\/Director, HearstMade National Arab American Heritage Month is an ideal time to empower the Arab American experience in your company and in your DEI efforts. Start by reaching out to your employees and giving them space to take lead in sharing their narratives. Jad Evangelo-Nasser is a multilingual Media & Communications professional and educator with global experience in creative agencies in the Middle East, North African and North American regions with extensive skill sets in film production, creative marketing strategies, DEI, and learning and development.\u00a0\", \"US English Male\");\n                }\n            };\n        <\/script>\n     <\/br><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wasn\u2019t until I was co-organizing a panel discussion for Women\u2019s Heritage Month that it occurred to me. I\u2019ve been an ally to so many underrepresented communities, groups, and markets in the U.S. and have been working on marketing campaigns to uplift the voices of each of these communities but never really thought of empowering my own: the beautifully complex, versatile, and fluid experience of Arab individuals in the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s be honest. Arab individuals have been \u2013 and are still being \u2013 underrepresented and misrepresented in the media and in U.S. workplaces. Of course, Arab Americans are not the only demographic group that is under- and misrepresented, but it still feels true to say we rarely receive much attention or appreciation in today\u2019s organization-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. That\u2019s one of the reasons I believe it is essential for HR leaders, CEOs, DEI practitioners, and more to understand, acknowledge, and engage in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arabamericafoundation.org\/national-arab-american-heritage-month\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Arab American History Month (NAAHM)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which takes place every April.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>\u201cDefining who is Arab is a work in progress\u201d<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, the total <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/codeswitch\/2013\/05\/30\/187096445\/arab-americans-a-growing-community-but-by-how-much\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arab American population is estimated to be around 3.6 million people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, although the U.S. census most likely undercounts the number of people in America who are of Arab descent, ancestry, or heritage, according to Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab Ame<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rican Institute in Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As NPR reports, undercounting could be caused by many factors, including the placement of the ancestry question on census documents and \u201cdistrust\/misunderstanding of government surveys among recent immigrants. [&#8230;]\u00a0 T<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he current census definition of \u2018Arab ancestry\u2019 also excludes Arab League countries such as Somalia and Sudan as countries of origin,\u201d they point out. \u201cCensus Bureau officials say defining who is Arab is a work in progress.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Understanding the Arab American Experience (Briefly)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the definition of an Arab person? Put briefly, someone may identify as Arab if their heritage connects to any Arabic-speaking country or culture. \u201cArab\u201d refers to culture and background, and \u201cArabic\u201d refers to language. There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/a\/arab-league.asp#:~:text=The%2022%20members%20of%20the,Eritrea%2C%20India%2C%20and%20Venezuela.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22 Arabic-speaking countries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the world \u2013 including Lebanon, Algeria, Palestine, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, and more. Arabic is\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.milestoneloc.com\/what-are-the-fastest-growing-languages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one of the fastest-growing languages in the United States<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and currently the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.babbel.com\/en\/magazine\/the-10-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fifth most-spoken language in the world<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although many people associate Arab communities with the religion of Islam, Arabic-speaking countries contain many different religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. They also include many different ethnicities, customs, dialects and accents, traditions, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Not all Arab people are Muslim, and not all Muslim people are of Arab heritage.<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s also important to understand that Arab individuals come from various races and have various skin tones, whether Black, White, brown-skinned, olive-skinned, or more. Also, people of Arab descent come from almost everywhere in the world: North Africa, the Middle East, Western Asian, and more. Yes! A North African person is also considered Arab. And yes, there are many Middle Eastern people who are not necessarily Arab because Arabic is not their primary language. Examples include people from Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main intersectional experience among Arab people from these 22 countries is the <\/span><b>Arabic language<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and certain <\/span><b>cultural nuances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For instance, imagine a person named Sherif, a 20-something, Muslim, Algerian male who identifies as Afro-Arab. He is standing at a coffee shop in New York City, talking with Jawad, a 50-something, Christian, Lebanese man with light skin who does not identify with color or race. They both communicate in Arabic and French (given the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.encyclopedia.com\/history\/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps\/french-colonialism-middle-east\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colonization of both their countries by France<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and are sharing with each other how their parents cooked similar recipes when they were children. Yet they both acknowledge that their religion, ethnicity, certain cultural customs, the geographical location of their hometowns, social norms, and views are different. What brings them together is how they both value their common experiences as Arab people and Arab Americans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a side note, when I say that Jawad does not identify with color or race, what I mean is that his skin tone is not an important part of his identity for him. Most Arab countries \u2013 similar to many Caribbean, African, and Latine communities \u2013 do not have the notion of \u201cpeople of color,\u201d and when individuals from these countries migrate to the U.S., they typically do not identify with that term. Instead, they stay true to their own identification of their race and ethnicity. Usually, they will tell you they are \u201cLebanese American\u201d or \u201cSyrian American,\u201d just as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/nix-latinx-latine-is-word-you-were-looking-for\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many people of Latin American heritage will not identify with the terms Latine or Latinx<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and, instead, will say \u201cI am Colombian American&#8221; or \u201cI am Cuban American.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/library\/%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8876 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-1024x341.png\" alt=\"TDM Library: your one-stop-shop for update, expert DEI Resources. Explore the platform with a free trial. Click here to learn more.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/341;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Arab people in the United States celebrate their cultures sporadically throughout the year, until 2019, there was no officially-recognized day, week, or month to highlight the presence and achievements of Arab communities in America. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That year, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tlaib.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/tlaib-dingell-introduce-arab-american-heritage-month-resolution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representatives Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib issued a congressional resolution for NAAHM to be recognized on a national scale.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some individual states (in fact, 26 of them) moved forward to proclaim April as Arab American Heritage Month, but it wasn\u2019t until 2021 that the first recognition on a federal level was issued and published as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arabamerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/White-House.Message-from-President-Biden-to-Arab-America_Mailed-via-USPS-4.21.21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White House Letter from President Biden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Arab American Heritage Month<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now offers a focal point for street festivals, seminars, workshops, restaurant weeks, industry events, and award ceremonies celebrating Arab excellency in multiple fields of work. One notable event is the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, which takes place in late April in Washington D.C. each year. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightintodiversity.com\/national-arab-american-heritage-month\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hosted by the Arab America Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u201cthe event is attended by members of Congress, state and local leaders, and members of the Arab American community.\u201d It is a night to shine a spotlight on Arab heritage,culture, arts, music, dance, and food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>In 2022, April also happens to align with<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/guest-blog-understanding-ramadan-and-laylat-al-qadr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Ramadan<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Learn more about diverse holidays throughout the year by downloading and subscribing to The Diversity Movement\u2019s<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/2022-diversity-holidays-calendar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>2022 Diversity Holidays Calendar<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<h3>A Few Notable Professionals of Arab Background<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From politics to business, arts, and education, Arab Americans have shown excellence within their fields while taking pride in their cultural backgrounds. Here, we\u2019ll highlight just a few who are moving the needle in the U.S., such as Representative <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tlaib.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rashida Tlaib<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representative Tlaib is of Palestinian background and is a highly influential figure on the national stage, especially as an inspiration to young Arab women and those who are in or are migrating from Palestine to the U.S.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beamsuntory.com\/en\/leader\/albertbaladi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Albert Baladi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the notable Lebanese CEO of Beam Suntory, is a shining example of the Lebanese Diapsora\u2019s linguistic excellence (he speaks four languages) and of business success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And also <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/laylafsaad.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layla F. Saad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an accomplished <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York Times<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Best-Selling Author of East African and Arab descent who identifies as Black and Muslim, has contributed powerful work in education and on topics such as race, identity, and social change.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What can you do to honor NAAHM at your organization?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are simple starter steps you can address:<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>1. Respecting Cultural Practices (e.g. Ramadan)<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most crucial step in understanding an employee\u2019s lived experience is to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/working-with-colleagues-from-different-cultures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">follow the DAJA approach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Take a moment to ask and learn about your Arab-identifying employee\u2019s culture and inquire about their cultural practices (specifically if they are Muslim and celebrate Ramadan). Remember that there are distinct cultural and religious practices that differ between Christian Muslims and Arab Muslims.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to a holiday like Ramadan, it is best to approach your colleague at least a week or two ahead of the start of the holiday and ask about any schedule changes or accommodations they will need, what the company can provide, and if they need any support. At the end of the day, you want your employees to know they are part of a healthy and safe environment, so remember not to impose or force any rules or unnecessary regulations, and allow them to have a schedule and a work environment that caters to their cultural and religious practices during this month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u201c<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My biggest advice to DEI practitioners is to ask their employees what accommodations their employees need for holidays around the year. Ramadan is around the corner, and it is the longest celebrated holiday in the world. Companies should be aware that Muslims practice in different ways, and there is no one-size fits all accomodation, as we come from a vast variety of cultures, personalities, and ways of practicing<\/span><b>.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You may find that someone would prefer to have a flexible schedule where they can start their day later due to their sleeping schedule shifting for late-night worship and their pre-dawn breakfast, while another may prefer to start their day earlier to get their work done while they feel most fueled and energetic. While many people like myself insist to have a seat at the table, it is too often that Muslim employees, which are often discriminated against, keep to themselves and find ways to make due in very inconvenient ways.\u201d &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/usraattalla\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usra Atalla<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Graphic Designer, meQuilibrium<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h5><b>2. Providing Space for Cultural Celebration<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to many other communities \u2013 especially immigrant and expatriate groups \u2013 many Arab American people find happiness in celebrating their culture with friends who are from different backgrounds. Take the opportunity during this month to empower your employees\u2019 celebration of their culture. Acknowledge National Arab American Heritage Month in your internal and external communications and include a way for Arab American employees to give feedback about how they would like to be acknowledged and celebrated. To avoid performative allyship and tokenization, include the people you are trying to celebrate in the planning process and make it clear to your entire workforce that learning about underrepresented cultures benefits the entire organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, provide the opportunity for your Arab-identifying colleagues to take the lead on initiating events, lectures, workshops, and\/or cultural-learning activities that they are comfortable with, and provide proper resources for these events. Your celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month can be as simple as an introductory workshop on Arabic 101, a brief history of the Arab diaspora, or a potluck lunch that provides an introduction to meals from the Arab continent and a chance to share personal stories of cultural upbringing and integration into the American space.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSometimes, agencies want our Arab names to polish their reputation of being diverse but they don&#8217;t want our Arab experiences. Agency leadership needs to understand that we&#8217;re not a monolithic group. They need to give us a space where we can be our true selves, unfiltered. For years, the American system erased MENA [Middle East and North African] experiences by folding millions of people into the &#8220;White&#8221; race\/ethnicity category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agencies can help change that by seeing their Arab employees and giving them opportunities to showcase their cultures at work and in their work. This is especially true for global agencies. Gone are the days when your Arab employees are just here to translate your lines to Arabic. Get us involved early. We know our stuff and can make your stuff better.\u201d <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cabdelhafidh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Chamsseddine Abdelhafidh<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Associate Creative Director, R\/GA.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One way for companies to empower Arab American groups is to learn how to navigate these conversations and lend a supporting hand when our home countries are affected by war, similar to what is being done now in Ukraine. At my last company, when homes were being raided in Palestine, a few coworkers reached out to check in on me; however, none of the higher-ups brought attention to what was happening or sent out a company email like they do with other issues. This simple gesture would\u2019ve made me feel included and comforted, instead of hidden away. Another way to empower Arab Americans is to create spaces where peers can share their culture and foods, educate other coworkers on what is and isn\u2019t appropriate to say, and be open to differing opinions\u201d. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/skhaddash\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shahed Khaddaj<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Producer\/Director, HearstMade<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Arab American Heritage Month is an ideal time to empower the Arab American experience in your company and in your DEI efforts. Start by reaching out to your employees and giving them space to take lead in sharing their narratives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/library\/%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-8041 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-1024x85.png\" alt=\"Display ad for TDM Library. Text says &quot;Find more content like this in TDM Library. Start my free trial&quot;\" width=\"1024\" height=\"85\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-1024x85.png 1024w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-600x50.png 600w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-300x25.png 300w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-768x64.png 768w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/85;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><b>Jad Evangelo-Nasser<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a multilingual Media &amp; Communications professional and educator with global experience in creative agencies in the Middle East, North African and North American regions with extensive skill sets in film production, creative marketing strategies, DEI, and learning and development.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It wasn\u2019t until I was co-organizing a panel discussion for Women\u2019s Heritage Month that it occurred to me. I\u2019ve been an ally to so many underrepresented communities, groups, and markets15<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,5],"tags":[74,76],"tdm_type":[92],"class_list":["post-5895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-fundamentals","category-blogs","tag-diversity-holidays","tag-race","tdm_type-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Guest Blog: National Arab American Heritage Month: What It Is &amp; How to Honor It - The Diversity Movement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"National Arab American Heritage Month is an ideal time to empower the Arab American experience in your company and in your DEI efforts. 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