America’s First Arab American District Has Just Been Recognized In California

After two decades of campaigning, community leaders have finally convinced city council members in Anaheim, California, to recognize what could be the United States’ first-ever Arab American cultural district. 

While an area of Brookhurst Street has already been popularly known as ‘Little Arabia’ for years, it’s now official—following the efforts of the Arab American Civic Council, which spoke to the city’s last three mayors and over a dozen council members to formally designate the region for the Arab community. 

According to Voice Of OC, after much debate, officials voted 5-0-1 at a recent meeting, thereby agreeing to name the area stretching from Ball Road to Broadway as Little Arabia for good.

Calling it “another marker” for the people of Anaheim, Councilman Jose Moreno said at the meeting that this change would “bring Anaheim up and uplift Anaheim,” as the publication reported. 

Following the vote, the news was met with great applause and cheers of “zaghreet” from members of the community who have been waiting for this moment for over 20 years. 

As Amin Nash of the Arab American Civic Council pointed out, the moment was even more important and special than it appeared, considering it was the first Arab American district in the nation’s storied history. 

Business owners in the district feel that through this acknowledgement, not only will they feel more appreciated of their contributions to the city, but will aid in attracting more business to Anaheim. 

A study of the area is currently underway, which will take about six to nine months to complete, after which the boundaries of Little Arabia could be further expanded. 

[via Voice Of OC, cover image via John Roman | Dreamstime.com]