Little Arabia

 ( Arab-american Culture In California ) 

Little Arabia is an ethnic enclave in western Anaheim, California,Brown, Aldrin (25 October 2001) "Anaheim's Muslim community sees spike in suspected hate crimes" The Orange County Register p. 1 the center for Orange County's Arab Americans, who number more than 24,000 ().Flaccus, Gillian (10 October 2006) "Anaheim city council race heats up as GOP leader accuses candidate of pro-Hezbollah activities" from The Associated Press It has been referred to as "Little Gaza" which was a riff on the nearby Garza Island neighborhoods.Associated Press (13 September 2004) "News briefs from around Southern California: Anaheim City Officials are Investigating Complaints"Arellano, Gustavo (2 November 2006) "Grub Guide" OC Weekly (Anaheim, CA) Little Arabia grew significantly in the 1990s with the arrival of immigrants from the Middle East, and is the home to thousands of Arab Americans predominantly hailing from Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Yemen.Carter, Chelsea J. (16 March 2002) "Arabs, Jews in U.S. express frustration over conflict" The New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM) p. D-1, D-3, from The Associated Press

The district is centered on Brookhurst Street in Anaheim, near the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) between La Palma Avenue and Katella Avenue.Staff (15 March 2004) "Muslim Americans rallying to vote in 2004 election" Chronicle Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) p. B-4 from the Orange County Register Businesses include halal butcher shops, , /ref> travel agency, bakery, Arab restaurants, and hookah cafes.Jolly, Vic (21 February 1999) "Little Gaza Community Thrives as Arabic-American Mecca" The Seattle Times p. A-7, from the Orange County RegisterArellano, Gustavo (22 October 2004) "The Best Little Gaza Businesses, According to Mike and Nancy Hawari, Owners of Kareem Restaurant and Makers of the Finest Falafels on the Planet" OC Weekly (Anaheim, CA) p. 80 There are also numerous mosques in the enclave.

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History Along with most of Anaheim, the area in which Little Arabia falls was mostly developed in the 1950s due to its proximity to Disneyland and the economic outgrowth it brought to the region that had long been used for orchard. The neighborhood lost residents over time and fell into disrepair until the 1980s when the area was revived by the emigration and immigration of Arabs that make up much of the population today.

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Reaction to the "Arab Spring" In 2011, Little Arabia became the center of Arab American activities supporting the wave of Arab revolutions known as the "Arab Spring". On February 4 a demonstration in support of the Egyptian revolution took place on Brookhurst Street followed by a celebration on February 11 after Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was ousted and another one on February 12.Orange Juice Blog, http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2011/02/egyptian-revolution-celebrated-in-anaheim/ A series of pro democracy protests in support of the Syrian revolution were also held.The Orange County Register, On October 20, local Libyan-Americans greeted the death of Moammar Gaddafi with joy.NBC, http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Local-Libyans-Ponder-the-Future-of-Their-Homeland-132284358.html

During the Hosni Mubarak trial, local restaurants were packed with people glued to TV screens watching live coverage of the trial until 5 am.OC Weekly, http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/08/hosni_mubarak_corruption_littl.php A restaurant also hosted an event for the Syrian American Council, an organization opposed to Bashar al-Assad's rule, on August 13. The event featured a representative of the Syrian Local Coordinating Committee addressing the attendees via Skype, as well as Ausama Monajed, editor of the "Syrian Revolution News Round-up."

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Efforts for district status Arab American business owners and activists pushed for the area to be recognized as an official district of the city of Anaheim for decades. In 2021, a majority of registered voters in the neighborhood favored the notion of receiving official recognition by the city as well as official signage noting the ethnic enclave. In 2022, the city officially recognized a mile-long stretch of Brookhurst Street.

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Economy

Little Arabia is known for its popular hookah lounges. More than a dozen businesses that serve hookah and/or sells hookah supplies exist in the district.

Anaheim made national news in 2005 when the city banned belly dancing in Little Arabia's hookah bars.Flaccus, Gillian (27 October 2005) "City cites noise, drugs in regulating hookah bars" Journal-Tribune (Marysville, Ohio) p. 6B, from The Associated Press

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External links

• Website

Categories: Arab-american Culture In California, Culture Of Anaheim, California, Tourist Attractions In Anaheim, California, Egyptian-american Culture In California, Lebanese-american Culture In California, Ethnic Enclaves In California, Neighborhoods In Anaheim, California, Palestinian-american Culture, Syrian-american History, Moroccan-american History, Yemeni-american Culture

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