Recognizing April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans in the City of Philadelphia.

Recognizing April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans in the City of Philadelphia. WHEREAS, The United States celebrates and declares April as Arab American Heritage Month where for over a century, Arab Americans have made valuable contributions to every aspect of American society; in medicine, law, business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture, while generously sharing their traditions and values to neighbors and friends; and WHEREAS, The Arab American Institute estimates that there are 3.7 million Arab Americans nationwide, with approximately 35,000 to 75,000 in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS , Philadelphia is home to many Arab American communities, notably in the Northeast where its residents are largely immigrants and refugees from Arab countries. In 1892, Saint Maron Lebanese Church in South Philadelphia was founded by Lebanese immigrants, establishing an enclave in the neighborhood for the Lebanese diaspora that exists to this day. Kensington is also home to a strong Arab population, particularly the Palestinian community; and WHEREAS , In 1898, Al-Hoda , the first ever Arabic-language newspaper in the U.S., was published in Philadelphia , representing the rich emblematic history of the City’s Arab community. Today, a ccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, Arabic is one of the fastest growing languages in the country; and WHEREAS , “The Book of Khalid” written by Ameen Rihani in 1911, …