Dream Deferred Essay Contest
Encyclopedia
Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance (HAMSA), an American Islamic Congress
initiative, holds an annual essay contest focusing on civil rights in the Middle East
. The Dream Deferred Essay Contest was inspired by a Langston Hughes
poem, What happens to a dream deferred? The poem helped inspire and motivate activists involved in the civil rights movement in the United States. HAMSA says The Dream Deferred Essay Contest will also be regarded as an opportunity for American and Middle Eastern youth to unite over the issue of advancing civil liberties in the Middle East.
Since HAMSA introduced its first contest in 2006, 4,500 essay entries have been submitted, resulting in the rewarding of $30,000 and 150 book rewards to top participants. Past celebrity judges include Gloria Steinem
. The 2009 panel includes best-selling author Dr. Azar Nafisi
, Egyptian-American comedian Ahmed Ahmed
, and Iranian-American reality TV star, Parisa Montazaran.
The Dream Deferred Essay Contest has rewarded individuals from the United States, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Morocco, and many other Middle Eastern countries. Topics of winning essays have ranged from dreams of a brighter future, analytic essays, a case study in Kuwait, and testimonies of overcoming struggle and oppression.
Dalia Ziada, 2006 honorable mention, went on to open the North Africa Bureau of the American Islamic Congress in Cairo
, Egypt. Ziada, who's essay was a reflection on growing up in a male-dominated society, made sure that her dream was not deferred. Always an activist for civil rights in the Middle East, Ziada took her mission one step further when opening AIC's North Africa Bureau.
Americans and Middle Easterners, aged 25 and younger, can participate and enter the contest. They need to answer one of the questions on the contest website which pertain to civil rights in the Middle East. Entries can be submitted in English, French, Persian or Arabic.
American Islamic Congress
The American Islamic Congress is a 501 non-profit organization based in the United States. According to the organization's website, it is "dedicated to building interfaith and interethnic understanding." It was founded in November 2001 by a diverse group of American Muslims to promote tolerance...
initiative, holds an annual essay contest focusing on civil rights in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. The Dream Deferred Essay Contest was inspired by a Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
poem, What happens to a dream deferred? The poem helped inspire and motivate activists involved in the civil rights movement in the United States. HAMSA says The Dream Deferred Essay Contest will also be regarded as an opportunity for American and Middle Eastern youth to unite over the issue of advancing civil liberties in the Middle East.
Since HAMSA introduced its first contest in 2006, 4,500 essay entries have been submitted, resulting in the rewarding of $30,000 and 150 book rewards to top participants. Past celebrity judges include Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
. The 2009 panel includes best-selling author Dr. Azar Nafisi
Azar Nafisi
Azar Nafisi, born ca. 1947, is an Iranian academic and bestselling writer who has resided in the United States since 1997 when she emigrated from Iran. Her field is English language literature....
, Egyptian-American comedian Ahmed Ahmed
Ahmed Ahmed
-Early life:Ahmed Ahmed was born in Helwan, Egypt. His family came to the United States when he was one month old and he grew up in Riverside, California.-Career:...
, and Iranian-American reality TV star, Parisa Montazaran.
The Dream Deferred Essay Contest has rewarded individuals from the United States, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Morocco, and many other Middle Eastern countries. Topics of winning essays have ranged from dreams of a brighter future, analytic essays, a case study in Kuwait, and testimonies of overcoming struggle and oppression.
Dalia Ziada, 2006 honorable mention, went on to open the North Africa Bureau of the American Islamic Congress in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt. Ziada, who's essay was a reflection on growing up in a male-dominated society, made sure that her dream was not deferred. Always an activist for civil rights in the Middle East, Ziada took her mission one step further when opening AIC's North Africa Bureau.
Americans and Middle Easterners, aged 25 and younger, can participate and enter the contest. They need to answer one of the questions on the contest website which pertain to civil rights in the Middle East. Entries can be submitted in English, French, Persian or Arabic.