Dream deferred essay contest is an annual essay contest held by Hands across the Middle East Alliance. The alliance is an American Islamic congress aimed at improving youth relationships between the countries. The
contest has been held for seven years now since 2006.
Requirements for the contest:- One must be twenty five years and above
- One must hail from the Arab league united member countries and reside there. The person can also be a foreigner living in the U.S.A or an American citizen.
- An essay must be written for one to enter the contest. The essay should have more than 600 words but not exceed 1500 words.
- The topic discussed must be chosen from a range of questions offered.
The awards given in the contest include a 2000 dollars price and 50 books for other winners. The title of the contest was inspired by a poem with a similar title. The poem, "What happens to a deferred dream?" by Langston Hughes inspired Americans to fight for civil rights. Therefore the poem is expected to inspire the same in the Middle East youth. The
contest creates a forum for ideas on civil rights to be shared. It is interested in the methods a common person can contribute to upholding civil rights.
The United States youth can also express the improvement or view on civil rights in the Middle East. This is the reason as to why the questions are different for both regions. The forum also allows the foundation of interfaith and interethnic understanding. The sponsors of the essay mainly prefer the addressing of civil rights rather than American policies and difference in politics. The topics that carry the day include free expression, women rights, religious freedom and artistic freedom. This contest may have achieved its purpose since some leaders of the Arab spring have participated in the
contest.
Read more:
http://www.aicongress.org/programs/hamsa/contest/
