Chinese Culture and Community Service Center

3.11.2022 Gaithersburg Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month

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Gaithersburg, MD – (March 8, 2022) The City of Gaithersburg celebrates and honors Arab American Heritage Month in April with programs and a proclamation highlighting the culture, heritage and achievements of our Arab American neighbors.

At the Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m., Mayor Jud Ashman will issue an official proclamation declaring April 2022 as Arab American Heritage Month in the City of Gaithersburg, recognizing the Arab American community for its achievements and contributions to the fabric of our society. The proclamation will be presented to Arwa ElBoraei, who serves as the Middle Eastern Liaison in the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP), Montgomery County Community Engagement Center.

Arwa supports the OCP's work in strengthening relationships between Montgomery County government and Middle Eastern American residents, with special focus on underserved and emerging communities.

In addition to her extensive experience and education, Arwa is an artist who works in oil, acrylic and watercolor. A collection of her realism and digital art pieces that depict the endless beauty of the Arabic culture will be on display at the Activity Center as part of the Multicultural Affairs Committee Arab Heritage Month Educational Art Exhibit (see below). Arwa's paintings are inspired by the positive symbolism of each subject.

In celebration of the rich history and cultural influences and heritage of Arab Americans, the Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) worked with local Arab American artists, Arwa ElBoraei and Ekram Shaqalieh, on an exhibition that uses the power of art to illustrate experiences and inspire personal connections with our Arab neighbors. The information in this exhibit is meant to promote conversation on inclusivity and diversity, culture, and the impact of geography and geopolitics. It will be on display April 4 through 30 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park.

Join the Benjamin Gaither Center on Thursday, April 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for Iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Learn about the importance of Iftar in the Muslim community, how it is celebrated traditionally among families, and its similarities and differences among communities around the world. The evening will conclude with a customary meal. This event is free; registration is required. Register online here.

The United States is home to more than 3.5 million Arab Americans who trace their ancestry to 22 countries stretching from North Africa in the west to the Arabian Gulf in the east. Arabs are ethnically, religiously and politically diverse but descend from a common linguistic and cultural heritage. The number of Marylanders who claim an Arab ancestry has more than doubled since the Census first measured ethnic origins in 1980, and is among the fastest growing Arab populations in the country. The largest number of new Arab immigrants to Maryland come from Iraq, Egypt, and Morocco. 

The mission of the Multicultural Affairs Committee is to enrich our City through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation of the many cultures of Gaithersburg. Learn more here.