April declared Arab American Heritage Month throughout Wayne County

Published on April 13, 2023

Wayne County Commissioners have declared April as Arab American Heritage Month, noting the numerous contributions Arab American residents have made in improving the lives of all county residents.

The resolution, sponsored by Commissioners Sam Baydoun (D-Dearborn) and Al Haidous (D-Wayne), notes that Arab Americans migrated to this country seeking, "greater economic, political and religious freedom, and have since shared their rich culture and traditions with their neighbors, colleagues and friends while setting examples as model citizens and public servants."

Wayne County is home to one of the largest Arab American populations of any county in the United States.

Commissioner Baydoun, in presenting the resolution, noted the many contributions of Arab Americans in county government, including Deputy County Executive Assad Turfe and county Health Director Abdul El-Sayed.

"I am proud of them and proud to be an Arab American," Commissioner Baydoun said.

A copy of the resolution follows:

RESOLUTION

By Commissioners Baydoun and Haidous

WHEREAS, school districts, governmental bodies and cultural institutions across Wayne County celebrate the Arab American community’s rich culture and contributions to society in recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month; and

WHEREAS, Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017 with just a handful of states recognizing the initiative and, each year since, volunteers in dozens of states gather proclamations from their states, counties, municipalities and school districts; and

WHEREAS, since Arab Americans began immigrating to the United States late in the 1800s, they have been making valuable contributions to every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, education, civic engagement and military service, arts and culture and literature; and

WHEREAS, the second wave of immigrants arrived to the United States in the 1940s followed by thousands of yearly Middle Eastern immigrants migrating from Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Iraq in the 1960s during the vicious Lebanese civil war; and

WHEREAS, the monthlong celebration draws attention to the histories, achievements and cultures of Arab-Americans, which are vital to broadening the conversation of inclusion in our society and serving as a "bridge" in bringing together the diverse Arab American community and as an educational resource for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans migrated to the United States in search of a destination that would provide greater economic, political and religious freedom, and have since shared their rich culture and traditions with their neighbors, colleagues and friends while setting examples as model citizens and public servants; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that more than 4 million Arab Americans live in the United States with many holding positions in the military, entertainment, politics and various other aspects of social life. It is documented that Lebanese Americans constitute the largest group of Arabs followed by Egyptians, Syrians and Palestinians; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans brought to America strong family values, a vibrant work ethic and a dedication to education in becoming among the most-educated demographic, with more than 40 percent receiving a four-year degree and 17 percent with a postgraduate degree. Their diversity in faith has strengthened our democracy, and they join all Americans in their desire to produce a peaceful and diverse society; and

WHEREAS, the contributions and heritage of Arab Americans have helped to build a stronger nation and enriched society by sharing the entrepreneurial American spirit that makes the United States free and prosperous; and

WHEREAS, Wayne County is home to the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, who have become a vital and valued part of the population and inspiring the next generation to improve their lifestyles even greater.

Now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Wayne County Commission on this 11th day of April, 2023 recognizes the decades of contributions from the Arab American community in Wayne County, the state of Michigan and the United States, and proclaims April 2023 as Arab American Heritage Month and acknowledges its efforts that make Wayne County vibrant and diverse.

April declared Arab American Heritage Month throughout Wayne County(PDF, 197KB)