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Arab American Heritage: Local History

Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County

A panel discussion on the experiences of Muslims in Montgomery County, hosted by Montgomery College in 2018.

Arab Americans in Maryland

A line graph depicting the population growth of Marylanders who claim Arab ancestry.

Population Growth

The number of Marylanders who claim an Arab ancestry has more than doubled since the Census first measured ethnic origins in 1980, and is among the fastest growing Arab populations in the country. (Yalla Count Me In 2023)

Graph showing the population of Arab Americans in Maryland by country of origin (2009-2016)

Country of Origin

The largest number of new Arab immigrants to Maryland came from Iraq, Egypt, and Morocco. Since 2010, significant increases appear in the number of Marylanders who are of Iraqi or Somali descent. (Yalla Count Me In 2023)

Graph showing the population of Arab Americans in Maryland by county, (2017)

Population by County

Montgomery County has the highest number of Arab Americans in Maryland, with an estimated population of 13,818 in 2017. (Yalla Count Me In 2023)

Arab American Heritage Month

Mabrouka “Mimi” Hassanein speaks at the Universal Peace Federation in Washington, DC.

Image credit: Arab America (2017)

Montgomery County was amongst the first governing districts to officially recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month in 2014, accomplished in part by MoCo resident Mabrouka “Mimi” Hassanein (above). View the Montgomery County Council's 2022 recognition of AAHM below.