Join us this April as DC Public Library honors the achievements and rich heritage of Arab Americans! National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) is a time to recognize the many contributions Arab Americans have made to our society.
Throughout April we encourage you to explore the vibrant traditions, history, and culture of Arab Americans in our community. Check out great reads recommended by the library and the Arab American Foundation, research Arab American stories with library resources, join us for the Arab American Foundation Fest at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and more!
2026 Arab American Heritage Festival
Saturday, Apr. 18, Noon - 4 p.m., MLK Library
Enjoy an exciting afternoon featuring fashion, food, music, visual art, a traditional Arab Souq, and hands‑on workshops led by local Arab American artists and community members.
As part of the celebration, the library will host an educational concert with renowned Arab American musician Muath Edriss and his band, showcasing the rich history and cultural traditions of Arab Americans. Muath Edriss is an accomplished vocalist, composer, and music lecturer. Winner of Best Voice in 2000, he made history as the first artist to compose, translate, and perform the U.S. National Anthem in Arabic, and in 2023 became the first Arab American to sing in Arabic on the oud at the White House. A visiting lecturer at Indiana University and Bloomsburg College, he also serves as an Ambassador for the Arab America Foundation.