2026 Arab American Heritage Month at Alvernia

On Campus & Local Events, Book Recommendations, History & More

During April of 2021, President Joe Biden declared a proclamation to dedicate the month of April to acknowledging Arab Americans. This month was created to highlight the contributions the Arab Americans make to the United States, including multitudes of advancements in diplomacy, technology, science, art, and many more.

This April, the Arab America Foundation proudly celebrates National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM), honoring the rich history, diversity and enduring contributions of Arab Americans across the United States. The 2026 theme, “Many Voices, One Community,” reflects the breadth of Arab American identities while affirming the shared values that unite the community.

Arab Americans trace their roots to more than 22 countries and represent a wide range of faiths, languages, professions, and lived experiences. Many Voices, One Community underscores the idea that this diversity is not a weakness, but a strength — one that enriches American society and deepens our collective story.

For more information, check out the Arab American National Museum, the first in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture.  

If you are interested in helping to create opportunities to celebrate this occasion and others to come, please email Arielle Phillips-Law, Director of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, at arielle.phillips@alvernia.edu. We would love to meet and connect with you!

On Campus and in the Area

Arab American Heritage Month Celebration: April 9

• Time: 2:00 – 5:00pm
• Location: Campus Commons Living Room
• Description: Join the Office of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, Interfaith Ministries, and the Muslim Student Association for food, fellowship, and fun. You can take a VR tour of various locations in Arabic countries!

Scent of Arabia: April 15

• Time: 2:00 – 5:00pm
• Location: Campus Commons Living Room
• Description: Join us to try Arabic scents, take your own sample, and paint your name in Arabic on canvas! 
   

Film Screening: Khartoum: April 17

• Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
• Location: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, 310 Master Street, Philadelphia
• Admission: $10
• Description: Directed by a collective of Sudanese filmmakers, Khartoum (2025) follows the lives of five residents as their beloved capital is suddenly thrust into the chaos of war. Through a groundbreaking hybrid of documentary footage, artistic animation, and re-enacted memories, this film captures the heartbeat of a city that refuses to be silenced. Get tickets here!

Arab American Voices & Stories: April 30

• Time: 6:00pm
• Location: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading
• Description: Join community members in Reading to discuss shared experiences, stories, and fellowship from various walks of life. Please contact Hasna Bahar for more details!

Book Recommendations from the Frank A. Franco Library

Check out book recommendations from Information Literacy Librarian, Jo Dienst. Bolded titles below and starred titles in the attached PDF are available in the Franco Library collection, with other titles available through the Berks County Public Libraries.

Adult Fiction

• The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher, 2024
• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, 2024
• Martyr! By Kaveh Akbar, 2024
• There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak, 2024
• Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, 2017

Non-Fiction

• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, 2003
• The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience by Plestia Alaqad, 2025
• Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai, 2025
• Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World by Zahra Hankir, 2019
• This Arab is Queer: An Anthology by LGBTQ+ Arab Writers edited by Elias Janshan, 2022

Academic Research

• Arabs: A 3,000-Year History of Peoples, Tribes, and Empires by Tim Mackintosh-Smith, 2019
• Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror by Jack Carr & James M. Scott, 2024
• Black Power and Palestine: Transnational Countries of Color by Michael R. Fischbach, 2019
• Your Country, Our War: The Press and Diplomacy in Afghanistan by Katherine Al Brown, 2019
• Authoritarian Apprehensions: Ideology, Judgement, and Mourning in Syria by Lisa Wedeen, 2019 

Jo’s Favorites (Your Information Literacy Librarian)

• One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad, 2025
• You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat, 2020
• Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H, 2023
• Internment by Samira Ahmed, 2019
• Good People by Patmeena Sabit, 2026 

Let’s Eat!: Restaurants, & Recipes

Aladdin Restaurant – West Reading

• Address: 401 Penn Street, West Reading
• Website: aladdinreading.com
• Description: Aladdin Restaurant is a family-owned neighborhood restaurant in West Reading. Brothers Sam and Akram prepare each dish in-house, using fresh ingredients and warm, balanced flavors. Their goal is simple, to create a welcoming place where neighbors, families, and friends can share a meal together.

Flavors of Morocco - Southern Market

• Address: 100 S Queen St, Lancaster
• Website: usflavorsofmorocco.com
• Description: Flavors of Morocco is a restaurant and catering venture passionate about sharing Moroccan cuisine and culture. Starting in Canada, they transitioned to Lancaster, offering a unique Moroccan dining experience. They serve in the Southern Market in Lancaster City from Wednesday to Sunday.

Za’atar Fries Recipe

• See the Recipe
• From: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
• Description: Za’atar (زعتر ; pronounced “zAh-tar”) is an extremely popular spice blend in Arabic cooking and cultures. The word za’atar itself translates to “wild thyme” or “Syrian thyme,” which is a main ingredient in the blend. It’s also made with sesame, sumac, and oregano. This spice blend is used to season meats, dips, rices, breads, and much more.

Suraya Philadelphia

• Address: 1528 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia
• Website: surayaphilly.com
• Description: Suraya is an award-winning specialty market, restaurant and garden located in the bustling Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Consisting of ancient Levantine ingredients, Suraya honors the family’s Lebanese heritage.

Mussakhan (Roast Chicken With Sumac and Red Onions)

• See the Recipe
• From: Adapted from Yasmin Khan’s “Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen”
• Description: Mussakhan is a beloved roast chicken dish, both energetic and comforting. It’s an ideal dish to share topped with fried pine nuts, parsley and a generous dusting of sumac. It is recommended to serve the chicken on toasted naan or taboon bread, which soaks up the juices, but it's equally appealing alongside a salad or over a bed of rice.

Easy Authentic Hummus Recipe

• See the Recipe
• Description: This Middle Eastern dip or spread consists of blending together chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, salt, a touch of cumin, and lemon juice. It is almost always enjoyed with a fresh pita in hand. It also makes for a fantastic addition to sandwiches or bowls.

Air Fryer Falafel Recipe  

• See the Recipe
• From: A favorite of Interfaith Minister, Hasna Bahar!
• Description: Falafel is a staple food throughout the Middle East. Traditional falafel is made of a mixture of chickpeas, fresh herbs, and warm spices, which is formed into balls or patties and deep fried until the patties turn a beautiful golden brown.