For Arab American students like sophomore Lara Nusair, April is not just a month of blooming flowers and the start of spring, but the beginning of a period devoted to the individual experience of heritage. Arab American students and teachers hope the month unravels the complex and powerful messaging intrinsically tied with the Arab identity, Nusair added. 

Students and teachers identifying as Arab American view April as an outlet for spreading awareness on culture, identity, and tradition and what heritage month means to them, Nusair said. Events put on by the Middle Eastern and North African Club (MENA) work to create a culturally rich experience for club members and their respective identities throughout the year, but especially in April, Naema Abraham, Instructional Assistant in Special Education and MENA club sponsor, said. MENA members and Arab students hope the heritage month can bring a new perspective on Arab American students, Nusair said. Not all countries in the Middle East celebrate their identity in the same way, so it’s important not to assume someone’s traditions, Nusair said. Many Arab students feel heritage month gives the spotlight to share their identity themselves, Nusair said.

“People assume so much, but it makes my day when somebody will ask me a question about where I’m from, or about my religion,” Nusair said. 

During Arab American Heritage Month, the different cultures celebrated throughout South are important to acknowledge, Nusair said. Listening to cultural music, and baking traditional desserts helps Nusair connect to identity in a personal setting, she said. The month of April is one to educate on the variety of cultures, identity, and heritage on being Arab American, and MENA club members have taken this responsibility in stride, Abraham said.

“The members are really very proud of who they are,”Abraham said. “They would love to be able to demonstrate that to people, whatever chance they get.”