Mayor Katie Wilson Proclaims, April is MENA Heritage Month in City of Seattle
Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) Community joins Mayor Katie Wilson for Historic Proclamation of MENA Heritage Month in Seattle
SEATTLE – The MENA Heritage Institute is proud to announce that Mayor Katie Wilson will officially proclaim April as Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Heritage Month in the City of Seattle today. This landmark recognition honors the diverse cultures, history, and invaluable contributions of the MENA community to the Pacific Northwest, which is often overlooked.
For years, MENA community advocates have been working to amplify the voices, struggles, and stories of our community. Today’s official proclamation at City Hall marks a significant step forward in ensuring our heritage is woven into the recognized cultural fabric of Seattle.
“This is an important step toward greater recognition for our community,” said Yashar Shayan of the MENA Heritage Institute. “By formally recognizing MENA Heritage Month, Mayor Wilson is sending a powerful message of inclusion and respect for the MENA artists, businesses, and families who call Seattle home. We invite the city to celebrate with us.”
Members of the press are invited to join the MENA Heritage Institute and community leaders for a meeting and signing ceremony with Mayor Wilson. Also present will be WA State Rep. Darya Farivar and City Council Candidate Nilu Jenks, among other champions of the MENA Community.
WHAT: MENA Heritage Month Official Proclamation
WHO: Mayor Katie Wilson and MENA Community Advocates
WHEN: Today, April 14, 2026, at 11:30 AM
WHERE: Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
MENA community leaders will be available for interviews immediately following the ceremony to discuss the significance of this proclamation and upcoming heritage events throughout the month of April and beyond.
About the MENA Heritage Institute:
The MENA Heritage Institute is dedicated to the preservation, celebration, and promotion of Middle Eastern and North African culture and history. Through education, advocacy, arts & culture programming, and community engagement, the Institute strives to build bridges of understanding and celebrate the rich diversity of the MENA diaspora.