The Association of Writers & Writing Programs recognizes April as Arab American Heritage Month. Celebrate with us and honor Arab American poets, authors, and writers by browsing our Bookshop.org list of notable books, reading Writer’s Chronicle articles, or attending an online event.

AWP is committed to honoring the cultures and perspectives of the various communities that make up our audience. Refer to our earlier Writer’s News piece for a full list of monthly heritage celebrations.
 

From the Writer’s Chronicle 

On Arab Feminist Writers by Jasmin Attia, September 2022

“Nothing Will Stop Me from Writing What I See”: An Interview with Sahar Khalifeh by Philip Metres, September 2020

The Art of Losing (and Other Visions of Revision) by Philip Metres, March/April 2019
 

Rewatch an AWP Panel

#AWP22 In the Cosmopolis of Memory: Women on Cultural Selfhood in a Globalized World

Find this event, other past AWP conference events, Virtual AWP conversations and readings, and more on AWP’s YouTube channel.
 

Upcoming Online Events

All events appear in ET.

Wednesday, April 3

12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.— Oakland Community College is hosting Reflections of Arab Americans in honor of the rich and distinct cultures and accomplishments of the Arab American community. In this discussion, panelists will share their perspectives on identity, stereotypes, and representation. This panel will take place via Zoom and is free to the public.

5:00–6:00 p.m.—Join the National Portait Gallery for Celebrating Identity: Portraits of Arab Americans, where you'll critically examine issues of representation and agency in portraits of Arab Americans from the museums' collection. Attendees will use thinking routines and analysis to discover how portraiture can illuniate complex narratives in history and offer perspective on who gets to tell the American story. This event will take place online, and registration is free. 

Saturday, April 13

6:00–9:00 p.m.—Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month with the Arab American Foundation by watching Nibal Malshi perform with her Arab musical ensemble at the Kennedy Center. Be sure to reserve your ticket, wheter you'll attend in person or watch the livestream.