Canadian Arab Institute

We're delighted to welcome Noura Hamade back to the Canadian Arab Institute as our Director of Research and Policy following her maternity leave! Noura returns to lead CAI's research agenda on the issues that matter most to Arab Canadians, from continuing our KAFA research on gender-based violence to advancing data collection for the Canadian Arab Pulse Report. We couldn't be more excited to have her community research approach and sharp analysis back at the table. Expect more updates on the KAFA research and the Arab Canadian Identity research in the coming weeks. Welcome back, Noura. You were missed.

Mapping the Canadian Arab Community! As part of our recently launched Canadian Arab Pulse Report, we're excited to spotlight one of its most practical features: an interactive map of Canadian Arab organizations across the country. From cultural associations and professional networks to advocacy groups and community service organizations, the map brings together the rich landscape of Canadian Arab institutions in one place, making it easier than ever to discover who's doing what, and where. This tool is designed to help you navigate and strengthen the connections that make our community thrive. We see this map as a living resource, one that will grow as our community grows. If your organization isn't listed, or if you know of one we should add, we'd love to hear from you. Visit the Report Page in the bio and check out the map!

The Canadian Arab Institute is proud to mark the end of this year's Arab Heritage Month with the launch of our Canadian Arab Pulse Report, a snapshot of Arab contributions to Canada that celebrates our milestones, honours our successes, and looks ahead to the road still to come. The report combines inspiring stories with in-depth data analysis to inform and represent the Canadian Arab community. It also features a map of Canadian Arab organizations across the country, a practical resource for anyone looking to build collaborations or strengthen community ties. We are committed to advancing representation, and over the coming months, we will use this report to deepen our engagement with decision-makers and community leaders. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers, our board, and all our partners who have stood with us every step of the way. Here's to many more years of collaboration and growth. Visit the link in our bio to check out the report! #CanadianArabPulse

Join the Canadian Arab Institute! The Deadline is May 4th! If you have not done so yet and would like to work with the Canadian Arab Institute, we are seeking dedicated individuals to join our Boards and Advisory Committees to help shape the future of Arab-Canadian communities across Canada. We are especially looking for candidates who bring: ✦ Expertise in Research, Communications, and Community Engagement (particularly youth) ✦ Expertise in accounting, sales and partnerships, or fundraising ✦ Francophone candidates ✦ Ties to underrepresented provinces or regions of the Arab world ✦ A deep commitment to Arab-Canadian advocacy and belonging This can be a meaningful opportunity to contribute your skills, networks, and voice to an organization at the forefront of Arab-Canadian civic life. If interested, fill out the application in the bio

We would like to acknowledge the work of Souk Arabia and their “30 stories. 30 days." series, which is a celebration of Arab-Canadian excellence. Throughout the month, Souk Arabia has been sharing daily features that bring together culture, storytelling, and community voices from across Arab Canada. This helps bring greater visibility to Arab heritage in Canada in a dynamic and accessible way. We were also pleased to see Souk Arabia feature insights from the Canadian Arab Institute’s upcoming Arab Canadian Pulse Report on Day 19, which they described as a “self-portrait drawn in data,” underscoring the importance of communities being counted, understood, and represented in their own terms. On this Arab Heritage Month, we wish our community a year of healing, partnership across sectors, and stronger representation! Their series is a strong example of how storytelling and research can come together to deepen public engagement with Arab Canadian experiences. Thanks to Zane Aburaneh and his team for this creative initiative that reflects the spirit of the Arabic language and culutre. Explore their work: https://soukarabia.ca/ #ArabHeritageMonth

Join the Canadian Arab Institute! We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our Boards and Committees to help shape the future of Arab-Canadian communities across Canada. We are especially looking for candidates who bring: ✦ Expertise in Research, Communications, and Community Engagement (particularly youth) ✦ Expertise in accounting, sales and partnerships, or fundraising ✦ Francophone candidates ✦ Ties to underrepresented provinces or regions of the Arab world ✦ A deep commitment to Arab-Canadian advocacy and belonging This can be a meaningful opportunity to contribute your skills, networks, and voice to an organization at the forefront of Arab-Canadian civic life. If interested, fill out the following application form in the bio

The Foundations of Arab Canadian History! Between 1802 and 1907, the first wave of Arab immigrants, primarily from the Levant, arrived in Canada, laying the groundwork for generations to come. By 1907, approximately 7,000 individuals had settled across the country. Though often categorized as “Turks” due to their Ottoman documentation, these early migrants carried with them distinct cultures, identities, and traditions that would gradually reshape how they were recognized. As communities grew, so too did acknowledgment, marked by the introduction of new classifications such as “Syrian” and “Egyptian” in the early 20th century. This period represents more than migration, it marks the beginning of a lasting presence. Follow the timeline as we uncover the stories that shaped Arab Canadian history. #ArabHeritageMonth #ArabCanadianHistory

This April, in recognition of Arab Heritage Month, we are proud to launch our Arab Canadian History Timeline, a series highlighting the people, moments, and milestones that have shaped Arab presence in Canada over the past century and beyond. We begin in 1907 with Peter Baker (born Bedouin Ferran), often referred to as the “Arctic Arab.” As a Lebanese immigrant in the Canadian North, he became a respected trader, trapper, and community figure, reflecting the early and far-reaching contributions of Arab Canadians. Explore the full timeline through the link in our bio! #ArabHeritageMonth #ArabCanadianHistory

The Arab Roots Initiative Workshop, hosted by the Arab Student Network at the University of Calgary, was a success! The workshop fostered meaningful conversations around Arab identity and the experiences of Arab-Canadian students. We are grateful to all attendees for their active participation and insightful reflections. In collaboration with Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), the meaningful conversations, honest reflections, and inspiring engagement from the community was all possible. Thank you for being part of this important initiative. We are getting closer to start sharing our data and key findings, stay tuned. #ArabRootsCanadianArabInstitute

The Canadian Arab Institute team and some of our amazing Board members recently met with the KAFA researchers to discuss the final report and celebrate the conclusion of the first phase of implementation. It was a true joy having conversations with this dedicated group of community members who embody the diversity of thought and Arab representation the Canadian Arab Institute strives for. We thank everyone who supports our work. Together we are confident in our capacity to achieve better representation in policy and society. Read more about KAFA here: /kafa

Rooted in more than one place 🌱 Being Arab Canadian isn’t just one story; it’s a mix of identities, experiences, and voices. Come share yours with us. Join our guided workshop on identity, belonging, and community leadership. No expertise needed, just your lived experience. 📅 April 7 ⏰ 6:00 PM 📍 Nest 2314 Free sandwiches and refreshments! Let’s talk, reflect and grow together. Link in bio to RSVP!

We are exploring Canadian Arab identity and what community, representation, and belonging mean to young people from across Canada. Our deepest thanks to our partners, the Middle Eastern Students' Association at the University of Toronto, St George, for hosting us on campus. We had a chance to introduce our Arab Roots Initiative and engage in deep conversations with some remarkable students. Stay tuned for the full report, coming this summer. This project is possible with the generous support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.