Citizant’s Post

It's #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth and we've been interviewing our co-workers of #Arabdescent. Today we heard from Noah Baraki, National Sales Assistant at KCRA 3 & My58 Television. We asked him some questions about America officially celebrating #ArabHeritage for the first time. Read what he had to say: What country are you and/or your family from? What is your favorite part of being from that country?   I was born here in America specifically Atlanta, Georgia. My family comes from Afghanistan and that is where both my parents were born. I grew up in a very cultural Afghan household and many people make wrong comparisons with us and Arab countries. Technically, Afghanistan is actually not a part of the Middle East and is considered a south central Asian country. However, because the countries have majority followers of the religion Islam is when they get lumped together. That is one of the main reasons why Afghans and Arabs have many similarities. April has been proclaimed Arab American Heritage Month. How does that make you feel? It's surprising, but in a good way! I never really thought there would be an Arab American Heritage Month but I guess it just goes to show how much our country is changing. I think it’s a great step in a positive direction that hopefully leads to other groups in America to get their own dedicated month/day. How would you like to see Arab American Heritage Month celebrated at #Hearst? I feel like it would be nice to just have a one pager giving some different facts and background regarding Arab culture and how it is in America! What would you like people to know about Arab American Heritage? I would like people to know that Arab American Heritage can vary a lot comparing to non-American Arabs. I feel like it is always important to understand the differences and similarities to create a better environment for all. Always better to ask then assume! Thanks for your insights, Noah! #ArabAmerican #Heritage #Arab #Afghanistan #Atlanta #Islam #Afghans #celebrate #history #differences #similarities #ask #dontassume #diversity #equity #inclusion #dei #CharlotteDEI

Arab Americans continue to experience some of the toughest times — despite a time of coinciding religious holidays. In spite of this, let’s recall that April is a month to not only celebrate our (intersecting) identities and cultures, but to also educate on MENA and Arab American experiences throughout history and in current affairs. Topics to cover during #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth : 💠 Arab American heritage & history 💠 Arab American excellence & legacy 💠 SWANA intersectionality 💠 MENA history & Western imperialism & colonization 💠 Harmful immigration quotas & travel bans 💠 The war-crime-ridden “war on terror” as well as the global, post-9/11 impact on Arab Americans and the Arab world 💠 Discrimination, hate crimes, and violence in the U.S. against Arab Americans 💠 ”Decolonizing” practices & rethinking workplace organizational culture 💠 Impact of occupation & mass exodus on Palestinian-Americans and the marginalized global majority 💠 Reconstructive & reparative policies Arab American Heritage Month should be celebrated and acknowledged because it is a (admittedly small) step towards somehow beginning to address the current state of affairs and deep confusion, pain and fear felt among Arab Americans and other communities. Remember, this month should never be treated as a “bandaid solution” — but rather as a dynamically engaging, open-minded and celebratory journey. 🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹 “Beginning is not only a kind of action. It is also a frame of mind, a kind of work, an attitude, a consciousness.” – Edward Said

April is Arab American Heritage Month! Imagine a world without the amazing contributions of Arab Americans—no delicious falafel to savor, no Paula Abdul to dance to—sounds depressing, right? TeleSolv wants to celebrate the rich and invaluable contributions of Arab Americans to our country. Also, did you know that Arab American Heritage Month was only established in 2017? The history it honors dates back to 1527, when Estebanico Azemmouri and Antonio Bishallany arrived, representing the first Arab Americans. Despite challenges, the Arab American community, comprising 22 countries remains united by language and culture. Here are some tips to commemorate this month: 1. Educate yourself through articles, books, documentaries. 2. Support Arab American-owned businesses. Whether it’s a restaurant, bookstore, or an art gallery! 3. Combat Anti-Arab bigotry. Advocate for inclusivity & challenge stereotypes! 4. Google & attend cultural events near you, like festivals and exhibitions. Let's give a big shoutout to all the amazing Arab Americans out there! Keep rocking your culture and showing the world what it means to be proud of your roots. #arabamericanheritagemonth #diversity #dei

Happy Arab American Heritage Month! I have had so many brilliant Arab American friends and colleagues who have expressed feeling misunderstood in the U.S. countless times. I am sharing a few thoughts today but I strongly urge you to get curious and educate yourself further this month, directly from Arab Americans themselves. I will be sharing some resources and stories from Arab Americans throughout the month. For today, just a few facts/thoughts! The classification of being Arab doesn't fit into traditional definitions of race or ethnicity. It's a cultural and linguistic identity, most often defined by individuals who share a common language, countries of origin, and/or cultural heritage. Arab identity can include people from various racial backgrounds as well as individuals of mixed ancestry. Ultimately, the classification of being Arab is deeply personal. Here are just a few examples of people who may identify as Arab: 〰 A first-generation Iraqi-American. 〰 A Syrian Christian refugee resettled in Germany. 〰 An Arabic speaking Tunisian. 〰 A second-generation Lebanese-Canadian. 〰 A Yemeni-Somali immigrant living in the U.S. 〰 A queer Iranian who left Iran to be out and doesn't identify strongly with their culture or heritage. 〰 A multi-generational Palestinian. 〰 An Egyptian born in the UK who never learned Arabic. 〰 A Black Saudi Arabian. 〰 A Muslim who has lived in Lebanon their whole life. And so many multi-faceted Arabs exist within and beyond those examples. Let's celebrate the diverse and vibrant Arab American community all month long! #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth

Listen to this video to understand the true nature of Israel. Racisim, hatred, bigotry and facisim is a way life for Zionists in Israel.

April is Arab American Heritage Month and an appropriate time to pause and reflect on the anguish that many members of this community are experiencing while also celebrating and acknowledging the rich histories of Arab Americans and the many contributions they make to enrich the US. ▫ I was reminded of the great diversity among Arab Americans (religion, ethnicity, cuisine, histories, and other areas). ▫ I learned that 24% of the general US adult population has a bachelor’s degree while among Arab Americans it’s more than 40%.   ▫ 2023 had the highest number of complaints of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate incidents in the US over the 30 years that this has been tracked--more than 8,000 incidents (The Council on American Islamic Relations- see link below). And as many of us know, others report that the Israel-Hamas war is fueling hate against Muslims and Jews in the United States (see Vox article in comments). *I also learned that the majority of Arab Americans in the US identify as Christians, yet many people conflate Arab with Muslim (not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arab). I invite you to learn more with me by checking out the links in the comments. https://lnkd.in/emssQF7b

https://lnkd.in/dq6Gegrj Part 3 The spaces of hospitality – the private, commercial and social domains—are observed to comprehend host-guest relationships in non-Western settings. Moreover, within the context. As the Arab world, including countries in the Middle East and North Africa, accommodates 93 per cent. This narrative is a marker of the virtue of hospitality in monotheistic religions, indicating the role ethics plays in hospitality, particularly towards strangers. The socio-symbolic importance associated with greeting the guest (the traveler or stranger) in the Arab world and welcoming him/her into one’s abode is rooted in pre-Islamic cultures and rituals associated with ‘Bedouin Arab hospitality’. Consequently, Arab hospitality is symbolically associated with narratives that can be traced back to the pre-Islamic era, mythologized through such legendary characters as Hatim Al-Tai, who was a poet from Ha’il in the north-west region of Saudi Arabia and who died in 578 AD.

Diversity

"Embracing the power of resilience and the human spirit Anthony Bourdain's words resonate deeply: 'Today, nearly everything is made in China except courage. Courage is made in Palestine.' 🌍✨ In a world where products often bear a 'Made in...' label, let's take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the intangible but invaluable trait of courage, found in the hearts of people across the globe. In Palestine, amidst challenges and adversity, the resilience and bravery of individuals stand as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Their stories are not just stories of struggle but of triumph and unwavering determination. As we navigate a world filled with diverse narratives, let's amplify these voices of courage, recognizing that strength knows no borders. Each tale adds a unique thread to the rich tapestry of global experiences. Here's to embracing courage wherever it's found and honoring the countless untold stories of resilience. 🌟💪 #Courage #GlobalResilience #HumanSpirit #Palestine #AnthonyBourdainQuote"

April is Arab American Heritage Month Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity to increase awareness about key issues and priorities within the Arab American community. Arab Americans have historically encountered and continue to face prejudices such as civil rights abuses, harmful stereotyping, and bullying that must be addressed through public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent. The population of the Arab World (a term used to refer to over 22 countries which are members of the Arab League) was estimated in 2014 to be 377 million. The population trends young, with a median age of about 22. Technically speaking, anyone who is a citizen of an Arab country is classified as an Arab. Culturally speaking, not everyone who lives in Arab countries sees themselves as Arab. It is virtually impossible to create a common Arab persona, given the diversity in the region. However, the majority of Arabs are united by a common language (with different dialects), and a shared identity in Arab history and similar customs, with much diversity in history, local customs and dialect. The US has had a long history of engagement with the Arab world and over 100 years of immigration of individuals and families seeking to make a life for themselves in the United States. In the United States, there are approximately 3-4 million Arab Americans. In Massachusetts, there are approximately 80,000 Arab Americans living, working, and thriving here. During this month, and every month, we acknowledge the rich culture and heritage of Arab Americans in Massachusetts, including the over 100 year old Lebanese-Syrian Ladies' Aid Society as well as the American Arabic Benevolent Society founded in 1974.