The Arab American Civic Council applauds the Anaheim City Council for agendizing a discussion and possible action to formally designate Little Arabia, and urges all council members to support a formal designation of Little Arabia.
#BREAKING: Anaheim Councilman @DrJoseFMoreno agendized the discussion of a formal designation of @LittleArabia on the August 23 Anaheim City Council meeting agenda! #designateLittleArabia pic.twitter.com/VkfbqT1d08
— Arab American Civic Council (@AACivic) July 13, 2022
The agenda item to designate Little Arabia was brought forth by Councilman Dr. Jose Moreno, who represents Anaheim’s District 3, at the end of the Anaheim City Council meeting that was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 . It will be added to the agenda of the council meeting scheduled on August 23rd. Additionally, Councilwoman Gloria Ma’ae added an agenda item to hire an outside consultant to research the needs of the Brookhurst corridor and make recommendations regarding funding for the area. She represents District 2, which includes Little Arabia.
SEE: Anaheim’s Little Arabia Could be Officially Recognized – Voice of OC
Little Arabia is a cultural destination that includes more than a hundred Arab American-owned businesses on and around Brookhurst Street in West Anaheim. Since the early 1990’s, Anaheim’s Brookhurst corridor has transformed into a cultural and commercial epicenter for the Arab American community. A springboard for many immigrants, Little Arabia also provides access and cultural safety for Anaheim residents of different backgrounds. The Brookhurst Corridor is a location to dozens of services, such as legal, health and beauty, and medical, all catering to Anaheim residents of diverse linguistic and cultural heritage.
For two decades, the Arab American community has been calling for a formal recognition of Little Arabia to uplift the economic and cultural contributions of Arab Americans to the City of Anaheim. What began as a project of Arab American developers, service providers, and businesses owners in the early 2000s has turned into a beloved cultural district for many Anaheim residents.
According to a poll conducted in late 2020 by the Immigration Policy Center at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), more than 75% of registered voters in the City of Anaheim who have been to Little Arabia support a formal designation. A formal designation would give permission to business owners, visitors, and service providers to promote, beautify, and reinvigorate a small part of West Anaheim into a new hospitable destination.
