4.01.22 – April Recognitions

Friday, April 1, 2022

April Recognitions

It is officially Spring! Many of us are enjoying the warmer weather and traveling for spring break to fun places. As we move into April, we want to recognize the month for many reasons.

April is Arab American Heritage Month, and there are 4 million Americans who can trace their ancestry to one of the 19 Arab countries. Arab Americans are ethnically, religiously, and politically diverse and contribute to our culture in academics, arts, entertainment, science, health, social justice, and so much more.

The month of April is also Genocide Awareness Month to remember and honor victims and survivors of mass atrocities. The United Nations defines genocide as acts “committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

April 2 through May 1 is Ramadan, and it is observed by Muslims as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad with fasting, reflection, community, and prayer.

April 10 is Rama Navami, a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Rama, the king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu.

April 10 is also Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter/Pascha to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday is April 14. This Holy Thursday celebrated on Thursday before Easter is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is April 15 and commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus on the Friday before Easter, or Pascha. (April 22 is Orthodox Good Friday). Easter/Pascha is April 17 celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

April 13 is Vaisakhi. It is a Sikh festival that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community remembering this day as the birth of the Khalsa.

April 15, at sunrise, is when Pesach, or Passover begins, and it ends at nightfall on April 23 and is a Jewish celebration commemorating the anniversary of the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by telling the story of Exodus, avoiding leaven, Seder meals of four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs.

April 22 is Day of Silence and is a vow of silence to spread awareness regarding bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other marginalized individuals and groups.

April 27 at sunrise until sunset on April 28 is Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember the genocide of six million Jews and millions of others who died in the Nazi Germany Holocaust.

Apr 29 is Arbor Day, where we are encouraged to plant trees for the betterment of wildlife, nature, and all aspects of our environment.

We wish you a safe and smooth April and as always, please reach out to us with any questions, concerns, interest in being a part of the DE&I committee, sharing what is important to you.

In Solidarity,

Chaddrian, Charlotte, and Rhonda
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]