THE ARAB IDENTITY BY ZAIRA AHMAD, REEM KIRJA & MARIE STIER ART & DESIGN BY ERINN VARGA
Arab students at West share their experiences and the uniqueness of their culture and community in the United States.
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he Arab World is a region comprising of 22 countries in Western Asia and Northern Africa. Arabs, while united by culture and history, consist of a diverse group of people from countries ranging from Sudan to Lebanon to Iran. Fundamental practices are based on the religion of Islam, as an estimated 93% of Arabs are Muslim; the religion’s influences are showcased in architectural practices based on geometrical shapes to region-wide celebrations of the Mawlid, Prophet Muhammed’s (SAW) approximate birthday. However, other religions are prevalent as well, including Christianity and Judaism. April is designated Arab American History Month, celebrating Americans of Arab descent. During this month, Arab individuals reflect on the importance of their identity and share their culture with those around them. The first Arab
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APRIL 18, 2024
immigrants arrived in the U.S. in the late 19th century, with a second wave of immigration starting after World War II and continuing in the modern day. According to the Arab American Institute, the Arab American population in Iowa is 18,987.
CULTURE
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espite living in America, Arab culture remains a large part of the everyday lives of many Arab Americans. For Palestinian-American Jinann Abudagga ’25, her culture is most prevalent at home. “Arab culture has always been a big part of my life. I go home, I practice Arab culture, my house is decorated with Arab decorations, we eat Arab food all the time, my name is Arab. It’s always part of me and my daily life,” Abudagga said. Though she acknowledges many sectors of Arab culture are well-established in her daily
life, Abudagga emphasizes food as an important aspect. “Like any other culture, food is a big part of [Arab] culture, especially for Palestinians,” Abudagga said. “[Everyone attends] the lunches we have with my family on Fridays, and we eat traditional food. It’s a big tradition in Palestine, so food brings us together.” In addition to Arab dishes, Abudagga identifies other aspects of her culture that make up her identity, such as the Arabic language. “My family tries to speak Arabic on Fridays. I’m not allowed to speak English at home on Fridays to keep my Arabic good,” Abudagga said. “We go to the mosque on Fridays, and I feel like that’s a big part of Muslim culture, but not necessarily all Palestinians are Muslim. We get together with our Arab community and celebrate, eat our food, talk to each other in Arabic.”