California has passed a resolution that permanently establishes the month of April as Arab-American Heritage Month, a move that cements the community's visibility in the state.
The measure, approved on Thursday, was introduced by California Representative Eloise Gomez, a Democrat who serves as the Golden State's majority leader in the state assembly.
“For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, education, science, technology, government, arts and culture,” the resolution states.
About 3.7 million Americans are believed to have roots in an Arab country and California is home to the largest number, with more than 700,000 Arab-American residents.
Arab Americans live in every state in the US, but the majority are concentrated in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Warren David, president of the Arab America Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting Arab Americans, said the move comes after a nationwide effort that began in 2017.
“This is extremely gratifying and just empowering for our community,” Mr David told The National.
California's Little Arabia – in pictures
“We're hoping that more state legislatures will follow suit.”
California's Governor Gavin Newsom last month issued a proclamation designating April 2023 as National Arab-American Heritage Month, joining Illinois, Oregon, Virginia and Indiana.
Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Rhode Island could be next, according to Mr David.
In late March, President Joe Biden, who came into office in 2021 promising to usher in a new era of equality and inclusivity in the US, issued a formal proclamation recognising April 2023 as Arab-American Heritage Month.
“The Arab-American story is the American story – one of diverse backgrounds and faiths, vibrant tradition, bold innovation, hard work, commitment to community and stalwart patriotism, all coming together to accomplish something greater than any one of us,” Mr Biden said at the time.
Similar recognitions are common in the US for other minority groups. The month of May, for instance, is Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
During the designated month, achievements of Americans from that group are celebrated at institutions, schools and in municipalities. Cultural events are often held with food, music, dancing and art displays.
Mr David said there are now efforts to make Arab-American Heritage Month permanently recognised at the federal level in the US.
“In the future, we'd love to have a permanent proclamation, recognising national Arab-American Heritage Month,” Mr David said.
“It's really up to us – we can make it happen.”
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
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Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
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Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
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Brief scoreline:
Wales 1
James 5'
Slovakia 0
Man of the Match: Dan James (Wales)
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
