With your help, we can reach our goal of $50,000!
Donors of over $50 can choose from unique gifts created by Arab and Arab American artists!
Your support keeps us going!
Our Spring National Arab American Heritage Month is one of two major fundraising campaigns each year. Please support our mission to foster the understanding and appreciation of Arab cultures!
Alif Institute is a non-religious, non-political, nonprofit organization that welcomes everyone interested in the beauty of Arab cultures. We work with academic, civic, religious, and government organizations to educate about Arab cultures and reduce negative stereotypes.
Your donations are tax-deductible and will directly support our ability to continue providing this unique and important service to the community.
Did you know that April is
National Arab American Heritage Month?
The movement to recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month each year began in 2017. In 2021, President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of State, some members of Congress, and the governors of 37 individual states (including Georgia) issued official proclamations declared April as National Arab American Heritage Month.
April Events & Outreach
Although at Alif Institute every month is Arab American Heritage Month, we are excited to be a part of this growing national movement to recognize the richness of Arab cultures and the contributions of Arab Americans to our nation and beyond. In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, we are sharing our rich culture and emphasizing community engagement through the following events and workshops.
If you’d like to invite us to share our exhibit and/or cultural presentations with your school or organization, please let us know!
Exhibits & Presentations
- The Museum School (April)
Festivals & Fairs
- Inman Park Festival (April 23 – 24)
- Refuge Coffee (April 30)
- City of Decatur Schools International Festival (May 7)
Thoughts from a Young Arab American:
Arab American Heritage Month: Life Through My Eyes
My culture is the sound of Fairouz playing on the radio as my grandmother hollows out the eggplants for our traditional middle eastern dinner. My culture is the 50 evil eyes hanging everywhere around my house, the tradition said to ward off evil, although now they’re used to identify my people and my land. My culture is the joyous screams and laughs that surround my family as we play Tarneeb, the traditional card game my ancestors used to play. My culture is the swaying hips and rattling scarves of the belly dancers surrounding me with their hypnotizing dance. My culture is the prayer rug that points towards Mecca every day, forever staying in my mother’s bedroom. My culture is the morning prayer that is projected from the Mosques every 5 am sunrise. My culture is what makes me who I am and what molds my personality, manners, and morals. If I didn’t come from decades of strong Arab women, I wouldn’t be who I am today. My dark curly hair and thick eyebrows remind me every day where I come from and define what my culture is. It means the world to me that I get to grow up in such a rich culture that has taught me everything I know about the world. The same harsh language my parents yell at the T.V in when yet again nothing is mentioned about the war in my country, also tells me they love me in a soft endearing way, and I couldn’t have ever dreamt of being raised any different. Surrounded by this culture is who I am and who I will always be. I will pass it down to my children, in hopes they see their ancestors’ past as a roadmap to their future.
Dara Hanano
Treasurer, Alif Institute Youth Board