Arab American Heritage Month Celebration

April 25–26, 2025 | Houston, TX

The Moroccan Society of Houston proudly joined the celebration of Arab American Heritage Month with two impactful events that honored our shared history and cultural heritage.

Dinner Reception at the Arab American Cultural and Community Center

We began the celebration with a warm and welcoming Moroccan dinner reception at the Arab American Cultural and Community Center. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet of traditional Moroccan dishes, sweet pastries, and refreshing mint tea.

The evening paid tribute to Mustafa Azemmouri, also known as Estevanico, a Moroccan explorer and one of the earliest known Africans to set foot in North America. The reception reflected the spirit of hospitality and cultural pride that defines our community.

Academic Panel & Documentary Screening at the University of Houston

The following day, the celebration continued at the University of Houston in the Astrodome Room of Student Center South, where a diverse and thought-provoking panel explored Arab and Moroccan contributions to history, science, and the arts.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Norah Gharala of the UH History Department and featured:

• Dr. Abdeslim El Idrissi, Professor of Neuroscience, CUNY

• Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, Professor of North African Studies, University of Arizona

• Rashit Mensur Ismail, Cinematographer and Producer

A short documentary was screened, followed by an engaging Q&A session facilitated by Latif Adnane, cultural critic and educator, guiding the audience through a rich dialogue on identity, memory, and representation.

Thank You

We thank all our guests, partners, and supporters for making this celebration meaningful and memorable. Special thanks to the Arab American Cultural and Community Center (AACC) and the AAEF Center for Arab Studies at the University of Houston for their collaboration.