Arab American Heritage Celebrates Its 2026 Signature Event in Alexandria
Alexandria, VA — Alexandria City Council Member Abdel Elnoubi joined the National Arab American Heritage Foundation in welcoming guests to Belle Haven Country Club on April 16, awash in rich sounds and visuals of a heritage of historic and scientific achievements, music and dance, and the enduring legacy of Arab Americans. The event drew more than 250 patrons to ballrooms filled with lively, non-stop entertainment starting with an acoustic ney (ancient reed flute) performance by Marsil Sobhy and ending with Algerian Sweets, a luscious dessert table.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Ameera David, daughter of Warren and Amal David, co-founders of the Arab American Foundation, oversaw as “mistress of ceremonies” a lively program that included Arab American comedian Yasmin El Hady—comedian, attorney, and host of Hulu’s Muslim Matchmaker and featured on ABC TV’s The View; renowned vocalists Usama Baalbaki and Nibal Malshi with the NY Arab Classic Takht (Ensemble); a traditional folkloric dance performance by the Faris El-Layl Dabke Troupe; and other cultural performances.
Former Alexandria poet laureate and nationally known poet Zeina Azzam headed the program with a reading of Lisa Suhair Majaj’s poem titled “Guidelines,” drawing applause before a parade of more than 44 elegantly attired young women in the “Threads of Heritage Fashion Show”—representing more than a dozen Arab American identities—creating a buzz of cheers including shrill ululations from the appreciative crowd. Earlier in the day across the Potomac River on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) introduced a national resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage Month to honor the history, culture, and achievements of Arab Americans in the United States.
“Arab Americans have made profound and lasting contributions to our nation,” Tlaib said. “As a proud and unapologetic Arab American woman serving in Congress, representing one of the largest Arab American communities in our country, I understand how vital it is that our community is seen, supported, and celebrated.”
A similar National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) proclamation will be presented at the upcoming April 28 city council meeting, Elnoubi noted, adding that poet Azzam would accept for the Arab American community. Last year’s NAAHM annual program was held in Potomac, Md.; in 2024 in Washington, D.C., and the previous year in Arlington, Va. This is the first year that NAAHM scheduled its annual celebration in Alexandria, VA. According to the NAAHM, Virginia has approximately 135,000 Arab Americans, which makes it #10 in the states with the highest Arab American population. The population in Virginia who identified as Arab American on the U.S. Census more than doubled between 2000 and 2022. Approximately 75% of Arab Americans in Virginia live in the Northern Virginia suburbs.
“Many people from Alexandria are here and it’s certainly great to celebrate, to show our heritage, and to be proud of our contributions to our society,” said Elnoubi, who credited the Alexandria City Library for its Arab American heritage educational offerings throughout the month (https://alexlibraryva.org/arab-american-heritage-month) including an Arab American exhibit at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library and a presentation of Arabic calligraphy at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library on April 27, requiring registration.
In addition to the Belle Haven evening, the Arab America Foundation promotes a range of cultural and educational information—including scholarship offerings, Arabic 101 (Arabic Word of the Day), trivia, and a list of national events. Visit the website https://www.arabamerica.com/
Today, Saturday, April 18, there is an Arab American Heritage Festival at the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC, for National Arab American Heritage Month. https://www.arabamerica.com/events/arab-american-heritage-festival-at-mlk-library/.
