The AAI Foundation also supports programs that educate Americans about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. We are the nation’s leading resource for demographic information on our community, and serve as the Census Information Center for Arab Americans. In addition to compiling national statistics, AAIF offers demographic profiles of the 12 states with the highest concentration of Arab Americans.
Our publications are available online and in hard copy, and are used by schools, universities, and NGOs to enhance outreach and education on minority civic engagement, the immigrant experience, and Arab and Muslim cultures. Each year, AAIF updates our Roster of Arab Americans in Public Service which provides a comprehensive list of Arab Americans in elected and appointed office, from the local through federal levels. In 2012, we updated and re-issued Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement, and we are proud to continue to serve as the publisher for Casey Kasem’s landmark brochure: Arab Americans: Making a Difference. In our series Together We Came, AAI celebrates the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month by featuring profiles of Arab American immigrants who have left an indelible mark on the history of the U.S.
The AAI Foundation is also committed to providing educational resources about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. While many universities in the U.S. and abroad offer Middle East and Islamic Studies programs, some in the U.S. are beginning to provide Arab American Studies as well.
Below you will find links to many of these programs, as well as to resources published by the Arab American Institute that help define the Arab American experience—from the first waves of immigrants from Syria and Lebanon in the 1880s to the contributions of leaders like John Sununu, Farouk El Baz, Kahlil Gibran, Ray LaHood, Nick Rahall, Helen Thomas, and Edward Said.
We encourage you to explore these resources and to let us know about any new programs, publications, and other materials on our community.
Resources and Publications on Arab Americans
- A Kid's Guide to Arab American History
- Arab American Studies Guide
- Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement
- Arab Americans: Making a Difference
- Demographics
- Healing the Nation: The Arab American Experience After September 11
- Not Quite White: Race Classification and the Arab American Experience
- The Other Anti-Semitism: The Arab as Scapegoat
- Who Are Arab Americans?
Arab American Studies Programs
Arab and Middle East Studies Programs
- University of Arizona, School of Middle Eastern & North African Studies
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- Columbia University, Center for Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies
- George Washington University, Institute for Middle East Studies
- Georgetown University, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
- Harvard University, The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- Indiana University, Center for the Study of the Middle East
- New York University, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
- Ohio State University, Middle East Studies Center
- Princeton University, Department of Near Eastern Studies
- University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Near Eastern Studies
- University of Chicago, Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- University of Michigan, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations
- Duke University, Middle East Studies Center
- University of Pennsylvania, Middle East Center
- University of Texas, Austin, Department of Middle Eastern Studies
- University of Washington, The Middle East Center
- Yale University, The Middle East Studies Council
- Portland State University, Middle East Studies Center
- Directory of Graduate Programs in Arab and Middle Eastern Studies
Resources for Educators
- 100 Questions and Answers About Arab Americans
- Arab American Anthologies, NYU Press
- Arab American Educational Foundation
- Arab American Stories
- Arab American Studies Guide, Michigan State University
- Arab American Studies Resources, Duke University
Articles from AAI Foundation
- #IAmArabAmerican
- Kid’s Guide to Arab American History
- Ten Lessons to Improve Understanding and Heal the Divide
- Together We Came
Organizations and Institutions – Arab Americans
Arab American Institute
Represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans throughout the United States and strives to promote Arab American participation in the US electoral system
Arab American National Museum
First museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture, and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Includes cultural arts, employment and training, public health, and education
Café Arabica
Online Arab American community center. A place for Arab Americans to discuss issues of common interest and find out about resources and services available to Arabs and the Middle East
Middle East & Middle Eastern American Center
Based at the City University of New York (CUNY), MEMEAC's mission is to promote the study of the Middle East and Middle Eastern Americans
National Network for Arab American Communities
Committed to the development of Arab American community-based nonprofit organizations at the local level and collectively
Network of Arab-American Professionals
Non-partisan, volunteer-based organization dedicated to strengthening the Arab American community
Organizations and Institutions – Islam
Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University
The Center’s mission is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West and enhance understanding of Muslims in the West
Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University
Devoted to the scholarly study of Islam and to educating the community about Islamic religion, history, and culture
Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy
A non-profit organization dedicated to studying Islamic and democratic political thought and merging them into a modern Islamic democratic discourse
Council on Islamic Education
A body of scholars that provides academic information about Islam
Islamic Society of North America
An association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities
Muslim Public Affairs Council
A public service agency working for the civil rights of American Muslims, for the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and for a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives
One Nation
A national philanthropic initiative that promotes pluralism and inclusion in America and seeks to help change misperceptions about American Muslims
Organizations and Institutions – Middle East
AMIDEAST
Promoting understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
At Georgetown University, the Center has established itself as the most comprehensive university-based Arab studies program in the US
Middle East Institute
Promotes knowledge of the Middle East in America and seeks to strengthen understanding of the United States by the peoples and governments of the region
Middle East Policy Council
Non-profit organization fostering public discussion of the political, economic, cultural, and security issues that affect the policies of the United States in the Middle
Middle East Studies Association
For scholars, students, and others interested in the study of the Middle East, North Africa and the Islamic world.
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Non-profit organization that seeks to enhance American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world
Saudi Aramco Magazine
Distributed by Saudi Aramco to increase cross-cultural understanding with the Middle East
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2018 CONTACT: Jennifer Salan jsalan@aaiusa.org / (202) 429-9210 Arab American Civil Rights Group Responds to Confirmation of Kenneth Marcus as Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights for Education Washington, DC - Today, Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry released the following statement in response to the...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2018 CONTACT: Jennifer Salan jsalan@aaiusa.org / (202) 429-9210 Arab American Civil Rights Group Responds to Confirmation of Kenneth Marcus as Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights for Education Washington, DC - Today, Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry released the following statement in response to the...
The Senate will vote on the confirmation of Kenneth Marcus today at 12:30pm. Marcus has been nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. His appointment would be a huge setback for civil rights protections in our academic environment. Marcus...
