Our Mission: To document the long history and contributions of Arab Americans to Greater Indianapolis

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From the late 1800s until today, people of Arab descent have made Indianapolis their home. From establishing businesses to working in the fields of health care and education, they have contributed to the cultural vitality, economic growth, and social fabric of Greater Indianapolis. Today’s Arab Hoosiers trace their roots to more than twenty Arabic-speaking countries across North Africa and the Middle East.

What does this project actually do?

Research our Past

Explore the history of Arab Indianapolis, its diversity, and our contributions to the city

Understand our Present

Document and celebrate the lives of contemporary Arab Americans in Indianapolis

Spread Knowledge

A book, a film, K-12 lesson plans, community dialogues, a historical marker, archives, and history tour

Our Community Partners

Our institutional partners include the IUPUI Department of Religious Studies, Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, Indianapolis Public Library, Catholic Charities Immigrant and Refugee Services, and Eman Schools. The director is Edward Curtis, a fourth-generation Arab Midwesterner.

Want to volunteer or help? Let us know! Just send an email to ecurtis4@iupui.edu or call 317-278-1683. Thanks!

Our Supporters

People of Arab descent like the Freije family have been settling in Indianapolis since the 1800s.

Institutional supporters include the IUPUI Vice Chancellor for Research, William M. and Gail M. Plater Chair of the Liberal Arts at IUPUI, IU School of Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division; IUPUI Arts & Humanities Institute; Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities; IU Muslim Voices; IUPUI International Affairs; Garden Hill Fund; and IUPUI Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

Individual supporters include John W. Guy; Dr. Eyas Raddad and Samia Alajlouni; Dr. Mohammad Al-Haddad and Hiba Alalami; Stephen Hartnett; Dr. Zachary Falck; Dr. Mona Raed and Dr. Rami Ahmed; Sandra Lynch; Yousef Alshammari; Dr. Amira Mashhour; Dr. Majdi Abu-Salih; Diana Najjar; Steve and Susie Baranyk; Edward Curtis III; Dr. Arthur Farnsley; Dr. Susan Hyatt; Donald B. Kite, Sr.; Dr. Peter Thuesen; Rev. Betty Brandt; Jeanne Zwald; Andrea Akel; Eric White; Alicia Matkovich; Johnny Rabb; Dr. Anne Wilson; Kelly Zwald; Nicole Martinez-LeGrand; Rouba Al Aseer; Dr. Hussein Rashid; Dr. Anna Bigelow; Ed Fujawa; Theresa Berghoff; Suzy Reed; Jennifer Bly-Lake; Robert Dillingham; Dr. Nermeen Mouftah; Sue Ellen Braunlin; Sampson Levingston; Dr. Layla Goushey; Dr. William Youmans; Elyse Boyles; Aaron Black.