Salaam,

I have some exciting and truly historic news to share.

The next U.S. Census, occurring in 2030, will introduce specific categories for individuals identifying as 'Middle Eastern or North African' (MENA) and 'Latino.' This change reflects years of advocacy and effort from various organizations, striving for accurate representation. This change marks the “first completely new racial or ethnic category to be required on federal government forms since officials first issued in 1977 standards on racial and ethnic data that the Census Bureau and other federal agencies must follow.”

For too long, the census's broad classification criteria have not fully captured the diversity of the American populace. Middle Easterners, in particular, were categorized in a way that did not reflect their unique cultural and racial identity. This oversight not only obscured the rich diversity within our communities but also impacted our access to resources, representation, and recognition of the challenges we face, including various forms of discrimination.

This milestone reminds us of the power of advocacy and the importance of our continued engagement in the civic process. Organizations such as the Arab American Institute, where I interned many years ago, never gave up on this project and kept it at the forefront of their agenda with every administration for decades. Congratulations to them and all those who worked so hard on this important initiative.

As we move forward, let's continue to stand together in solidarity, advocating for the rights and recognition of all communities. Our work is far from over, but today, we can acknowledge the progress made and the efforts of everyone who has contributed to this achievement.